Defects of the Victorian period 1837 to 1901

The Victorian period is a well established period in the public mindset and many Victorian properties are still held up as the epitome of sturdy design and as symbols of the Empire. "Victorian" as a label is readily given to sturdy designs and engineering innovations but when assessing a buildings history there is a need to remember that trends and designs did not just start and finish just because Victoria was on the throne. One has to allow some leeway in the chronology of events with particular emphasis on demographics.

At the start of the period (1830s) the development of domestic properties were mainly achieved by self promoted speculative developers and Master craftsmen and through the next 70 odd years they would all grapple with the new technologies and readily available, mass produced, building materials of cast and wrought iron, brick, slate, glass and concrete. These were made all the more available because of the rapidly developing road, rail and canal networks. The speculative builders in large towns were building for the newly emerging Middle classes with influences from the gothic and classical periods copied and handed out en masse through pattern books and pre manufactured components. Unfortunately the rest of the populace was generally living in relative squalor for this was also the era of the "back to back" the cottage industry "topshop", the 2 up 2 down jerry built terrace and the ruthless land lord.

The era saw the increased prominence of engineers who brought a more methodical approach to material science. A key feature of the period was that materials were becoming more predictable..

What to look out for

Domestic Styles:

Styles often quoted for the period include: Victorian vernacular, Classical, Queen Anne, Picturesque, Italianate, Arts and crafts, Victorian Gothic (many quote gothic revival but there is often fierce debate about this)

The photograph shows how the number of window panes reduced through the Victorian period.

Mass. Most Victorian buildings have an over engineered look. Square and solid. Layout. The terrace was the mass housing solution built around major industrial towns. The "front room" and "back room" off a hall were nods to the gentry having rooms for "occasions". The presence of modern Bathrooms on ground floors usually indicates a conversion of the privy and coal house to the rear.

Decoration. Lots of it! Particularly on gables, in brickwork and terracotta panels. The Victorians liked the picturesque and were not averse to "tinkering" with older buildings. A good check is that the decoration was mass produced and tends to be repetitive. Masses of Swirls, swags and fruit gave way to dentilations, castellation, and fretwork.

Windows. Sash windows were the style of the day and because glass was better mass produced using the cylinder method the pane sizes were bigger. The common pattern was two panes over two. The weight of the glass meant that horns had to be introduced to the meeting rails to maintain the joint. Top tip. If you see six over six sashes with horns on the meeting rails this is a big clue that it could be a Victorian copy of a regency window.

Common features

Prominent front doors (with stained glass inserts), slate roofs, recessed sash windows (2 over 2), front elevation gables, cant bay windows, ecclesiastical decoration influence., Brick patterns, Gothic emblems.

Traditional colours: ruby reds and deep forest greens (Brunswick green) - Prussian blue and purple came in midway through the century. Railings were more popularly green than black and in cities it became popular to paint windows brown.

Technology

Gas street lighting in London started in 1812 and most homes and streets were lit by gas lamps by 1859. The domestic filament light bulb did not appear until 1870 and started to supersede Gas for lighting around 1915-30. Central heating systems and forced ventilation systems appeared in public building such as hospitals.

Materials

Brick - Exposed, patterned, solid or cavity, mainly Flemish / English bonds.

In the 1850s mass production techniques were well developed and in 1870 the now familiar smooth and regular "Fletton" was widely available. Lime mortars were traditionally used, however the introduction of cement mortars in 1824 means that not all properties can be assumed to have lime mortar. It is a common mistake when pointing to get the mortar mix wrong which can cause the brick faces to spall. Cavity walls were becoming popular to the end of the period with wrought iron wall ties being used. Poor tying in of flank walls and the failure of wall ties is a known defect as is the use of timber coursing beams which, over time, rot. Walls should be carefully checked for plumb or signs of bowing. Be careful assuming a wall is solid if you see headers as these could have been snapped in half prior to laying. Victorian Mass production should not be assumed to imply unified quality. Rogue bricks in a wall can be the cause of water penetration. Look for damp spots in isolation half way up walls.

Damp Proof courses

Damp proof courses were starting to become compulsory around the 1870s in England through local housing orders but builders were known to be introducing them in some form or other so no fixed date can be usefully given for DPCs. The surveyor must be mindful that an assumption that "Victorian equals damp" is not a useful guide. There are many reasons a wall can show signs of being damp and in all cases thorough investigation must be undertake before assessment is given. The general assumption that a chemical damp course specialist is required because meter reading are high is also not a useful mindset. All surveyors must be aware of how to correctly interpret modern damp meter readings. Surveyors should also acquaint themselves with local knowledge of the types of aggregates used in mortars as some have a highly corrosive effect on iron wall ties.

Some of the common defects associated with the Victorian period

• Rising damp. Water ingress through solid masonry walls (not necessarily rising damp or a wall problem) See rising damp article
• Rotten floor joists
• Damp Cellars
• Multi ownership drains with a maintenance liability
• Bowing front walls
• Cracks to bay windows
• Lead pipework
• Old electrical services
• Blocked air vents
• Thin walls
• Poorly replaced windows
• No roof insulation.
• Additional cement render
• Raised Patios.
• Rotten and damaged sash windows.

Do's and Don'ts for Victorian Houses.

• Don't change timber sash windows for UPVC. This is becoming the big no no for valuations.
• Victorian Houses are becoming the key period property to own so do retain all period fittings including ironmongery and doors.
• Don't render external walls or add waterproof sealants unless you know what you are doing. Do not be persuaded that it is the only remedy as it is often only a cover up solution.
• Don't let roofers take your lead or roof tiles until you have called the reclamation yard first. You may be surprised how valuable these items are.
• Don't assume brick walls are solid. The Victorians developed the modern cavity wall but not all versions were successful.
• Do clear and clean gutters and down pipes regularly.
• Do keep walls pointed in soft mortar (lime is best)
• Do keep air vents clear.

If you have rising damp in your Victorian house call us today for a free initial consultation.