Someone else's problem

[biffvernon]

Nicked from http://www.ihbc.org.uk/openforum/index.html

Help!!!

I am writing a method statement for the removal of vegetation on a Grade I listed castle wall.
I am aware that many people consider that a small amount of vegetation provides "active" preservation and this is not detrimental to the wall. I have also found that some types of vegetation are protected under law, by ecology acts. I did a google research as a first hit on trying to find some information, but the only item which came up was a Technical Note from the NT, called wildlife and buildings, dated May 2003. Useful, but not quite enough.

I need to find something, which gives guidance on the treatment and eventual removal of, each type of vegetation / plant matter, i.e. common weed, ivy, buddliea etc.

H&S risks involved - not a problem.
Repair techniques - not a problem (too much information on this subject)
Repair philosophies - not a problem (likewise)

My method statement will detail each type of vegetation matter found and each treatment to be used, also taking in to account the individual size of plant concerned.

I am also concerned that the vegetation is providing "structural reinforcement" to some parts of the wall and may in other areas be the equivalent to pulling out the keystone of an arch!!!

No small task. But somebody somewhere must have done this before???

Many thanks in anticipation.

Neil, aka Teflon70

 

[Nemesis]

Me. I'd contact SPAB...

 

[biffvernon]

I just love the idea of a buddleia bush acting as the keystone in a castle arch

 

[Nemesis]

Well, when we removed the ivy from the outbuilding wall it did indeed collapse - but I think that was chicken and egg really!

 

[Jane Smith]

I use that same excuse about cleaning. It's only the filth that holds my house together.

 

[NT]

I use that same excuse about cleaning. It's only the filth that holds my house together.

seems to apply more to marriages than houses

NT

 

[Gervase]

I just love the idea of a buddleia bush acting as the keystone in a castle arch

I found an ivy trunk acting as a keystone in a window arch atg a place I was working on recently. The wood had pushed the original stone completely out and was holding the arch together. Cue new formwork and arch, a day and a half's delay on the job and a grumbly client. I bloomin' hate ivy! Grr.

Mind you, a bit of filth in a marriage is an excellent idea!

 

[Nemesis]

I have plenty of filth in my marriage, usually on the kitchen floor...

 

[Penners]

I have plenty of filth in my marriage, usually on the kitchen floor...

Don't you get bruises?

 

[Nemesis]

No, I use a long handled scrubber, the times when I really feel I ought to do something about the grime.

 

[Jane Smith]

I've barely been back here a fortnight and she's calling me names all ready. Despite what she says I do NOT have a long handle and I resent the implication.

 

[Gervase]

Damn, beat me to it.
Is a long-handled scrubber the sort that your otherwise wouldn't touch with a bargepole? There's a few of those in The Ship in my nearest town!

 

[Nemesis]