Faro council has promised to launch a guide for owners of historic properties wishing to engage in restoration but are unsure of materials, building and the technical requirements that need to be followed.
The new ‘good practice manual’ will help owners plan their projects in the knowledge that the guidelines have been approved by the council – this should save owners from later problems if their commissioned work is not according to good practice.
Faro council’s intention was announced at the International Day for Monuments and Sites on April 18th where the importance of the preservation of the traditional coatings on façades was discussed.
The recently aborted work on the main church in Olhão is a good example of what can go wrong when the ignorant are left in charge of technical areas while having no idea what building techniques and external plastering mixes are needed to preserve historic buildings.
Olhão’s ever-vigilant locals were swift to point out that the cement-based render being spread across the old lime-wash surface of the Church was out of keeping with the church’s existing façade but will trap moisture within the walls and cause irrevocable damage to the building’s structure.
See,'Olhão's principal Church seriously damaged by inept repair work'
Faro council said the preservation of external coatings on old buildings is "an act of culture and sustainability" and that it must be done correctly: Faro council is right and should act to lead the way across the Algarve's council areas before more unwitting damage is done.
Fear of idiotic mistakes has spurred Faro council to push ahead with its manual, a document that all councils should have available for the benefit of property owners keen on renovating their houses, wary of builders and unsure who to ask for independent advice.
The Faro manual will be written in easy-to-understand language and will guide homeowners through materials and current technical and legal standards used by the council.
Olhão's cadre of architects have long wished for such a manual to be available as a resource for the many foreigners, as well as locals, involved in restoring historic buildings in the city who are forced to rely on jobbing builders for advice.
