A two-week programme involving specialist repairs has commenced at 13 Manvers Street, Bath, safeguarding a significant Grade II listed early Victorian property on behalf of Bath & North East Somerset Council. The £40,000 project has been commissioned to address ongoing water ingress affecting internal party walls with repairs to the roof and parapet drainage systems.

13 Manvers Street forms part of the historic Argyle Hotel building, a mid-19th century property dating from approximately the 1840s. Constructed in traditional Bath stone with natural slate roofing, the building contributes to the distinctive architectural character of Bath city centre and sits within its UNESCO World Heritage designation. Its listed status reflects both its architectural importance and its contribution to the historic streetscape.

The repairs follow reports of damp penetration affecting an internal party wall. Initial investigations identified defects within sections of the natural slate roof covering and the parapet secret gutter, allowing moisture ingress into the stonework.

Specialist roofing works will include the careful removal and reinstatement of affected slate roof areas, alongside the replacement of defective soakers and renewing lead flashings. All new flashings will be installed using Code 7 lead, selected for its durability and suitability for heritage roofing applications where long-term performance is essential. Repairs will also be undertaken to the concealed parapet gutter to reduce the risk of further moisture penetration into adjacent building.

Prior to and during the works, a carbide cathode test has been undertaken on affected masonry to assess moisture levels and establish the extent of damp ingress within the wall structure. This will ensure the repair strategy remains accurately targeted, with repairs focusing on the root cause.

Forming part of the repairs approach, a Timberwise system is being introduced, a specialist damp and timber preservation system used in heritage and traditional buildings, which combines diagnostic assessment with breathable repairs to manage moisture without compromising historic masonry.

Rather than introducing impermeable barriers that can trap moisture within older structures, the system supports natural evaporation and helps restore equilibrium within the building fabric. This approach is particularly well suited to solid wall Victorian construction typical of Bath properties, where breathability is essential to long-term building performance. The works are being delivered over a tightly managed two-week programme to minimise disruption to its occupiers and neighbouring properties.

The project is being delivered in close collaboration with Bath & North East Somerset Council’s property and conservation teams, ensuring full compliance with heritage requirements and best practice standards for listed building repair.

Once complete, the works at 13 Manvers Street will support the continued protection of an important early Victorian building within Bath’s historic environment. By combining traditional roofing craftsmanship with modern diagnostic techniques and specialist damp management systems, the project is set to resolve a long-standing issue while preserving the architectural integrity of the property.

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