This building had been covered with ivy for many years which led to widespread green staining and other problems associated with biological agents of decay - the physical decay of the brickwork and accelerated erosion of the mortar joints. In addition, a regime of inappropriate brick replacement using dense 3:1 cement mortar and hard C20 bricks had been carried out accelerating the decay of the surrounding brickwork. The rustic sandstone plinth at the base of the building had been pointed in dense cement strap pointing and decay had been accelerated by the high of soil level against the walls.
Completed work
The work was tackled one elevation at a time with work being carried out systematically. Modern inappropriate cement repairs were removed and the walls prepared for patch repointing . Prior to repointing and brick replacement, the walls were cleaned, and ivy fibres removed using water, a scraper and a natural bristled brush. An authentic, matching lime mortar for pointing and for filling scores of nail holes was achieved by using the original mortar, crushed, sieved and used as a pozzolan with a slaked lime putty which ensured that the mortar is softer than the bricks. Where possible, partially eroded original bricks were turned around but handmade bricks were also sourced to repair the building. The windows were resealed using a linseed oil & sand mastic, the porch roof re-leaded and the plinth repointed.
