Technical information

Technical guides

For owners, managers, consultants and contractors. These longer technical guides provide in-depth information. Available as PDF downloads and hard copies.

Salt attack and rising damp (2008)

Salt attack and rising damp (PDF 3.4 MB)

Conducting historical archaeological surveys (2008)

Conducting Historical Archaeological Surveys (PDF 836 KB)

Places of worship

Places of worship (PDF 1.5 MB)


Technical leaflets

For owners and managers of heritage property and objects, looking for professional methods and techniques. Available as PDF downloads and hard copies.

Access for all in heritage buildings (2008, download only)

Disability access for heritage buildings (PDF 728 KB)

Gardens - heritage gardens

Gardens - heritage gardens (PDF 338 KB)

Gardens - watering heritage gardens (2008)

Watering heritage gardens (PDF 1.2 MB)

Heritage buildings and energy efficiency

This leaflet aims to develop appropriate design strategies for the improvement of energy efficiency in heritage buildings to achieve the integration of sustainability
and heritage conservation.

Heritage buildings and energy efficiency (PDF 275 KB)

Heritage buildings and sustainability

This leaflet shows how you can improve environmental and sustainable performance measures for existing heritage buildings without adversely impacting their cultural heritage significance.

Please note: the advice contained in this document on water use standards is being revised in light of the new Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme..

Heritage buildings and sustainability (PDF 259 KB)

Maintenance - maintenance and repairs

Maintenance & Repairs (PDF 196 KB)

Maintenance - preparing a maintenance plan

Preparing a Maintenance Plan (PDF 116 KB)

Maintenance - inspection schedule

Inspection Schedule (PDF 59 KB)

Metal - metalwork

Metalwork (PDF 93 KB)

Roofing - slating

Slating (PDF 227 KB)

Roofing - corrugated steel

Roofing (PDF 186 KB)

Timber - wood preservation

Timber - wood preservation (PDF 68 KB)

Timber - tongue and groove (2008)

Tongue and groove (PDF 684 KB)

Timber - repairs (2008)

Timber repairs (PDF 865 KB)

Walls - cleaning masonry

Cleaning Masonry - walls (PDF 91 KB)


Technical notes

For the layperson, who needs good basic heritage advice in simple how-to language. Available as PDF downloads only.

Photographic recording for heritage places and objects

Photographic Recording for Heritage Places and Objects (PDF 213 KB)

Repointing mortar joints

Repointing Mortar Joints - Some Important Points (PDF 219 KB)


SPAB technical leaflets

The technical leaflets listed below are available in printed copy for Victorian residents only. Ask us for a copy - email heritage.victoria@dpcd.vic.gov.au.

Electronic versions can be purchased from the The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) online bookshop.

Patching old floorboards

Removing paint

Damp: the need for old buildings to breathe

Basic limewash

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