If you own property in Brighton and Hove, you already know that living by the sea is a privilege. The stunning Regency architecture, the vibrant culture, and the fresh sea air make it one of the most desirable places to live in the UK. However, that same sea air, combined with the historic nature of our local housing stock, presents a unique set of challenges for property maintenance.

At Ridge Group Contracting, we understand that maintaining a home in East Sussex is about more than just a lick of paint. It requires a deep understanding of coastal weathering, historic building materials, and the specific battle against damp that every Brighton homeowner eventually faces. In this guide, we explore why property maintenance in Brighton is different and how you can protect your investment.

The Coastal Factor: Salt, Wind, and Water

Brighton’s location on the edge of the English Channel means properties are constantly exposed to a salt-laden atmosphere. Salt is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air. When salt crystals embed themselves into masonry, render, or timber, they draw water into the building fabric. As these crystals expand and contract with temperature changes, they can cause significant damage:

• Masonry Erosion: The face of bricks can spall (flake off), leaving the softer core exposed to the elements.
• Metal Corrosion: Iron railings, balconies, and gutters rust significantly faster here than in inland towns.
• Timber Decay: Wooden sash windows and fascias are stripped of their protective paint layers by wind-driven sand and salt, leading to rapid rot.

Effective maintenance in Brighton requires using marine-grade paints and materials that can withstand this aggressive environment. Regular washing down of external joinery and inspecting paintwork for hairline cracks is not just cosmetic; it is a vital defensive measure.

The “Bungaroosh” Problem

If you live in a period property in Brighton, there is a high chance your walls are built of “bungaroosh.” This unique local building material consists of lime mortar poured between shuttering and filled with whatever was to hand—flint, brick bats, chalk, and even driftwood.

While bungaroosh gives our city its character, it is notoriously difficult to maintain. It is extremely porous and behaves like a sponge. If a bungaroosh wall is covered in modern, non-breathable cement render, the moisture gets trapped inside. This causes the lime mortar to turn to mush, leading to structural instability and severe damp.

We frequently see properties where well-meaning but ill-informed builders have applied cement render to bungaroosh walls, causing disastrous consequences years later. The golden rule for Brighton maintenance is breathability. We use traditional lime renders and breathable masonry paints that allow moisture to escape naturally, preserving the integrity of your walls.

Navigating Conservation Areas

A significant portion of Brighton and Hove falls within Conservation Areas. From the grand squares of Brunswick Town to the quaint streets of Clifton Hill, maintaining the historic aesthetic is a legal requirement.

This adds a layer of complexity to maintenance. You cannot simply replace a rotten timber sash window with a generic uPVC plastic one. Repairs must often match the original materials and profiles. At Ridge Group Contracting, we specialise in heritage repairs. We can splice new timber into existing sash frames, use resin repair systems to save original features, and source reclaimed bricks that match the local colour palette. Understanding these regulations prevents costly enforcement action from the local council and ensures the value of your property is maintained.

The Cost of Neglect vs. Planned Maintenance

In a high-value property market like Brighton, a well-maintained exterior adds significant value. Conversely, a property showing signs of “coastal neglect”—rust streaks, peeling stucco, and mossy roofs—can see its value plummet.

Many homeowners fall into the trap of “reactive maintenance”—only fixing things when they break. However, waiting for a gutter to fall off or a damp patch to turn black is the most expensive way to manage a property. A blocked gutter might cost £100 to clear, but if left for a winter, the overflowing water can saturate a solid wall, blowing the internal plaster and rotting the floor joists—a repair bill that can easily run into the thousands.

Your Local Maintenance Partner

Maintaining a property in Brighton is a continuous process, but it doesn’t have to be a burden. Ridge Group Contracting offers comprehensive property maintenance services designed for the specific needs of Sussex homes. Whether it is repointing a flint wall with lime mortar, restoring weather-beaten sash windows, or diagnosing a complex damp issue in a basement flat, we have the local knowledge to get it right.

Don’t let the coastal elements devalue your home. Contact us today to discuss a maintenance plan that keeps your Brighton property standing strong against the wind and waves.