We successfully tendered the exterior restoration of this Grade II Listed cottage near Whalley Abbey. The property is the middle in a historic row of three, suffering from decades of previous poor repairs.
The project works actively involved many specialist skills, each detailed in the following sections.
Lime Repointing to Front and Rear Elevations
Cement mortar had been over applied, leaving little of the stone face exposed. By using the wrong mortar, the stone was crumbling from failed capillary action (see our related case study Lime vs Cement)
We brushed back the loose stone to expose a solid face, and repointed the mortar joints in a Hot Lime Mix (also known as Quick Lime). The mix was deep fill packed into the joints where necessary.
Some areas of the historic property required consolidating whereas others required galletting. Galletting is the use of stone or slate pushed into wet mortar in order to pack voids between structural masonry. This prevents large sections of unbonded mortar within a cavity.
A few weeks after completion we took a photograph as dusk approached, yet the dry lighter stone of our central cottage restoration can be clearly seen against the darkened neighbouring cottages. These currently remain cement pointed and retain moisture within the stones.
Reroofing and Oak Rafter Repairs
Existing Welsh slates were stripped, sorted and stacked. This uncovered Oak rafters in need of replacement. A rafter is one in a series of pitched timbers that spread the loading of the roof slates.
The degradation on the existing rafters was such that these required seasoned Oak rafters – cut to size – as replacements. Once this work was completed we were able to apply a breathable membrane, install new battens and commence re-slating.
DOFF Steam Cleaning Paint Removal and Poulticing
The Stone Hoods, Mullions and Cills were coated in thick layers of various paint applications. During sympathetic hot steam removal, we found that modern filling techniques had covered over decayed stonework. This had attempted to replicate the shape but resulted in the stone beneath becoming extremely friable.
Poultice removal using a paste application was utilised both internally and externally for fragile sections of stone. This removed the coatings with a sheeted process requiring no force upon the façade.
Stone Repair Mortar
Using a minimal intervention approach, we reformed pieces of the stone using a colour matched mortar mix. This is a meticulous process which involves building up the section adding a thin layer at a time.
We reformed hoods, cills and mullion surrounds in areas to deflect rainwater. Water runoff is important so that these features can shed the rain away from the façade.
Window Glazing Repairs and Leaded Light Resealing
Due to the extent of modern repairs to cills, the leaded light windows were suffering from damage to the glazing and leaking. We had to remove some of the units to make the stone and glass repairs. Once reinstalled, we resealed the joint between the lead and the glazing.
Installation of Bat Box
All British bats are protected by law. Installing a bat box gives them somewhere safe to roost and raise their pups. Many natural roosting places can be disturbed, so with this ‘Kent’ style timber bat box by The Nestbox Company we have selected a recycled plastic shell to protect from weathering.















