Recladding – Complete Building and Reclads

Trust us with recladding your plaster clad unhealthy home into a home that is weathertight and warm restoring value to your property and give you piece of mind on those rainy nights

Thousands of New Zealand homes and buildings that were constructed during the 1990s now suffer from the substandard design and building material choices along with poor construction techniques that were typical during that period and are now deemed as”Leaky Buildings” The use of monolithic cladding systems that typically had no cavity between the cladding and the house framing timber was a recipe for disaster, and many cladding and flashing systems allowed varying degrees of water ingress into the home in one way or another. To make matters worse and due to the lack of a cavity, any water that penetrates behind the cladding cant get out or dry out ! This trapped water causes framing timbers to rot resulting in a damp, mouldy, and unhealthy home. We have even seen homes that have had structural issues so severe that they have been unsafe to live in due to serious decay within the structural timber elements of the building.

If you suspect that your home is leaking we believe that its very important that you understand exactly what and where the issues are and what the recladding and repair options are moving forward. This is where “Leaky Building” experience is so important; experience will ensure that you are getting the best and most accurate advice with sensible recommendation to suit your personal situation.

Feel free to contact Complete Building and Reclads where we believe in good honest advice and communication, we understand that when it comes to your home there can be no compromise on service and quality.

Types Of Cladding and roofing

Roofing

It should be noted that some roof design and roofing types can be prone to serious issues and should be evaluated just as importantly as the cladding. Lack of, or very small eaves can also be a contributing factor towards the degree of a buildings potential for leaks

Common Roofing Examples

• Profiled metal roofing (e.g. corrugated)
• Pressed steel tiles
• Clay or concrete tiles
• Synthetic Butyl rubber sheets
• Shingles
• Bitumen membrane
• Profiled impregnated wood fibre sheets

Wall Cladding

This is designed to protect the interior and the structure of the home from water and draught penetration under all conditions; the lasting performance of cladding is obviously extremely important alongside a well designed flashing system. All cladding’s systems have there pro’s and con’s for a range of different reasons and careful consideration should be given towards cladding choice

Different Wall Cladding Types

• Weatherboards
• Fibre cement
• Plywood
• Masonry veneer
• Concrete
• Monolithic systems
• Metal

Signs that your home is experiencing Monolithic Cladding Problems:

Cracks and splits in the cladding or joints
Moisture staining or other visible water damage inside or outside
Musty smells
Efflorescence (white chalky substance) at junctions or cracks
Mould, moss or colour degradation
Blistering or fading paintwork, or bubbling or peeling wallpaper

Signs that you have a Leaky Home:

Swelling in floor boards window surrounds or skirting boards
Mould or damp
Cracks and separations in sealant joints
Discolouration or stains to carpet
Damp smell throughout or in areas of the home
Movement between gib board sheets
Spongy external decks or floors

If you are experiencing any of these problems we recommend that you contact us We can aid in providing honest advice and find the best solution and a sensible way forward.

typical Leaky Home issues

Houses with monolithic cladding systems have been identified as having a high risk of leaking. These homes often have problematic features such as:

Wall claddings in contact or with little clearance from the ground
Roofs with narrow or no eaves
Recessed windows
Multi level homes are typically more prone to issues than single level homes
Decks or balconies that protrude through the cladding substrate
Enclosed or concealed gutters
Untreated kiln-dried framing timber susceptible to rot
Complex architecural design
Lack of essential flashings around window and door joinery

These features can cause the inadequate deflection or drainage of water – leading to leaky home syndrome. The different types of monolithic cladding include:

EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems)

This cladding utilises polystyrene boards with a plaster and paint finish.

Texture coated fibre cement

These cladding sheets are made from cement, fine sand and cellulose, with a textured coating applied and painted after the sheets have been installed.

Stucco

With Stucco cladding, cement-based plaster is applied over a variety of backings including fibre-cement and plywood sheeting, before being painted.

Every project is different and therefore the cost can vary substantially from project to project. The major factors determining cost can include

Whether any alteration work is required or is to be undertaken at the same time.
Whether new joinery (i.e. window and door joinery) is being installed. We recommend that new double glazed joinery is installed at the time of recladding
Access restrictions and technicalities(i.e. is the house on a step site requiring extensive scaffolding).
Achieving acceptable ground clearances can add significant extra cost in some cases

In our experience, the recladding costs for a stand-alone mid-sized (3-4 bedroom) house fall into the following ranges:

What are the benefits of a full recladding over a targeted repair solution?

The benefits of full recladding over targeted repairs are significant and include:-

Fully recladding will result in your home being brought up to the current Building Code E2/AS1 requirements which states that buildings must be built to resist leaks, damp or the accumulation of moisture in concealed spaces.
Fully recladding under a new Building Consent ensures that a new Code Compliance Certificate can be issued in respect of the building repair work.
Full recladding is the only real way to ensure all problematic areas have been exposed and that all issues get completely resolved.
Because recladding involves removing the existing cladding, the underlying timber structure is exposed, any water affected or decayed timber framing is removed and replaced in consultation with the local council and the assigned timber specialist.
Fully recladding will likely re-establish the full value of your property
Full piece of mind that the home is 100% and as good as new .

What is involved in recladding a home?

Step 1: Planning
We will obtain the council property file containing the original house plans and proceed to have the reclad plans drawn up. New cladding types and other finishes will be carefully considered at this stage. Once the plans are complete we will apply for building consent. At this design and planning stage we have the opportunity to consider any other changes (such as house layout) that the owner may wish to make to the home and as part of the reclad process we can make these building changes

Step 2: Scaffolding and Weather Protection
The first step in the leaky building repair process involves setting up full scaffolding to provide access to the exterior cladding. Once the scaffolding is erected, weather protection is set up and the house is generally fully wrapped to keep the house dry whilst the building repair works are undertaken.

Step 3: Cladding Removal
The second step involves the cladding removal and disposal. Whilst it may be preferable from a logistical perspective to remove all the cladding at the same time, each dwelling must be approached on a case-by-case basis, as a staged ‘cladding removal’ process will be more appropriate for some buildings.

Step 4: Inspection of Timber Framing for Rot or Decay
Once the cladding has been removed, the local Council is advised and an inspection is organised to determine what steps are required to ensure the existing timber framing complies with the Building Code. The main issues considered during the inspection include the treatment level of the existing timber framing (if any), the moisture levels present in the timber framing and the presence of any rot or decay.

Step 5: Building Repair & Re-Cladding
The repair and re-cladding process is the most complicated and time-consuming part of the entire job. This is when the rotten or decayed timber (and any other damaged building elements) are removed and replaced, defective design faults corrected and the new cladding system reinstated as per the Building Code requirements. The quality of the repair work is paramount when it comes to ensuring the repaired building will not leak in the future.

Can I live at home during the recladding process?

In short – it depends.
Where a full re-clad is required, we generally recommend the property be vacated prior to starting the building work. As a general rule, the building will be without cladding, insulation and windows for a period during the work. The building work required is very noisy, dusty and disruptive to the living environment within a home. That said, every project is different. We can discuss the options available to you with regard to your specific project and situation.

Can I stay in my leaky home during the re-clad process?

It is understood why you should want to stay in your own property during the re-clad process but this is something we strongly advise against, the re-clad process is very uncomfortable to endure but most of all it posses a serious health issue.

Do I need a Building Consent for recladding my home?

Yes you do.
If you proceed with recladding work without having been granted a building consent, the Council will issue you with a stop-work notice and require you to obtain the necessary consents before the work is able to continue. It takes time to get drawings completed and to obtain a building consent (generally about 3-4 months) and during that time the building work would be on-hold.

Our leaky home repair specialists are able to assist with anything from minor holes and damage to a complete re-clad of your home. Our team will also arrange your building plans and submit them to the council for approval, and organise inspections through the Code of Compliance.

If your home was built in the last ten years, you may be eligible to bring the claim to the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service for the cost of repairs. We can guide you through the claim process by providing you with the WHRS claim forms and helping you to complete them.