Our work
We uphold quality, award winning workmanship, and have experience in all forms of traditional pointing, including tuck pointing.
Our tools: By using traditional hand tools, we pride ourselves on our ability to avoid damage to brick and masonry work. We also use specialist power tools on approval.
Our products: We use UV stable and fade resistant oxides on request. If required, an analysis of the original mortar sample used on the building can be tested, to ensure the new mixture matches the existing, historical fabric. This new mortar will be made using traditional lime putty.
Work we do includes:
- Tuck pointing
- Complete facade restorations
- Re-pointing
- Churches
- Historic restorations
- Crack stitching
- Stone masonry
- New ornamental brick work
- Render repairs
- Paint removal
- Consulting
Tuck pointing
After raking the joint out, it is then filled with colored stopping to form the background for the narrow white joint. The stopping materials usually consist of a good lime mortar with, on occasion, a small amount of cement added. This type of pointing is usually applied to the front of buildings or facades and where the edges of the bricks are rough and broken. We use a traditional mixture for the mortar.
Facade restorations
We are often hired by clients to restore the facades of historical buildings, which date back as far as the 1800s. In the past, we have successfully achieved this by sourcing bricks to match those used in the original construction of the building, removing eroded mortar, and repairing brick arches.
Re-pointing
This is the process of removing eroded mortar from joints of brick work, and then filling in with new mortar. We analyse a sample of the old mortar (if required), and base the components of the new mortar on those of the original to ensure a match. Traditional Quick Lime mixtures are usually used for the new mortar.
Churches
We have experience in restoring churches, which has included repairing mortars, repairing arches and keystones, and repairs to render.
Historic restorations
As our methods are traditional, we are often hired by clients to restore historical masonry constructions. Sourcing bricks to mirror historical ones, matching existing mortar joints, and finding identical air vents are examples of how we restore, and capture, the original aesthetics of the structure.
Crack stitching
We have experience in crack stitching for structural repairs in masonry construction. The product we use is called Helefix, and has been approved by the Heritage Department in both England and Australia.
Stone masonry
Stone masonry works are often heritage listed, and we are hired to restore and conserve their historical fibre. In the past, we have done restoration work to the Dunwich Convict Causeway. We successfully achieved this by stabilising the internal core to ensure durability and natural drainage, and replacing rhlyolite used in previous repairs with ferricreted sandstone from natural sources.
New work
Although we specialise in the restoration of heritage and other old buildings, we are also able to construct new work. Bricks can be used as features of constructions (ornamental work). We are skilled in various brick bonds, including both English and Flemish bonds. We are also skilled in stonework.
Render repairs
We are able to complete render work, which protects the restoration of historical buildings.
Consulting
If you are not sure what is the best way forward with your heritage site we offer a consulting service to help you map out the repairs. We consult on local and international projects.
