Brendan Teasdale is a traditional Stone Mason who consistently strives to exceed expectations while delivering solid build quality and peace of mind.

Historic buildings, including grade I and grade II are very significant buildings and form a considerable part of our cultural heritage. These old buildings require sensitive conservation and restoration, with an understanding of their history and constructional form.

When working with old or historic stone buildings It is important to appreciate inappropriate alterations and repairs can cause damage to their character and construction. There are significant differences between traditional and modern forms of construction, and it is important to use appropriate repair techniques. Repair methods should be matched to the needs of a project, often a single project will require the utilisation of a palette of different materials and techniques. The overriding principle is to retain as much of the original building fabric as possible whilst ensuring that repair interventions are justified and carried out correctly.

New repair interventions should be sympathetic to the original construction and include the correct material and specification.

From initial consultation and expert advice given we can match materials like-for-like to your building fabric and our skilled craftsmen have the knowledge and experience to ensure your restoration, refurbishment or conservation project is carried out to our exacting standards.

A specification of the materials and a methodology of repair should be put forward for Listed Building Consent if the building is grade listed. If the building is not listed, then the same specification and methodology should be developed so that the repairs will not be detrimental to the existing masonry fabric.

We have the capability to carry out an initial assessment of the masonry fabric, identify potential problems that may exist and carry out an analytic material report which would lead to the specification of materials and methodology for your project. We can also liaise with local planning officers and help with Listed Building Consents (LBC).

And finally, we also have the capability to carry out the sensitive repairs that will be necessary to ensure your project is a success.

Lime Mortar versus Cement Mortar

Older buildings usually have a 'softer' form of construction allowing for greater structural movement and migration of moisture. Problems are likely to occur if maintenance is inadequate or when incompatible modern materials have been introduced. Hard cement mortars, plasters and renders can hinder the evaporation of moisture whereas traditional lime-based mortars allow buildings to breathe.

Figure 1 shows cement render that had previously been applied to the chimney and gable end of this property without considering the effects that cement would have to the masonry in the future. The cement renders locked in moisture which in turn caused a great deal of deterioration to the original underlying building fabric in which so many structural problems occurred.

Figure 2 shows the new stonework completed after the original stones were dismantled and the gable end was re-built. Whilst this intervention was necessary, it could have also been avoided by seeking out the services of a qualified and experienced mason.

Tradition Lime Pointing & Consolidation for Decaying Masnory

It has also been proven that cement pointing to solid traditional constructed walls traps moisture within the structure which can often lead to internal water ingress and masonry decay. Moisture becomes trapped because cement is impervious and blocks the natural drainage channels for moisture to escape. As a result, the stones remain wet and risk frost attack during the colder months. Additionally, trapped moisture brings salts that are not necessarily visible in solution but when the moisture dries out the salts crystallise and break down the pour structure of the stones which becomes noticeable as a powdery surface on the surface of the stones and if left the masonry will continue to decay through time.

Figure 3 shows an example where cement has been applied to re-point a solid traditional stone wall, the resulting stone decay is clearly visible.

Figure 4 shows the finished work after the cement has been removed, the decayed stones replaced and the whole masonry elevation has been repointed and consolidated with a traditional lime mortar.

Figure 5 shows another severe close-up of the effects that cement pointing has on traditional stone walls within a relatively short period of time.

Façade Conservation & Restoration

Enhance your property with a range of our face-lift techniques. The figures show a well-known masonry façade in Newcastle City centre. The client wanted to open this building and commence trading as a licenced bar and restaurant.

Figure 6 below shows a previous cement rendered repair designed to recreate the original architectural profiles of the stones that were previously lost through stone decay. However, in this case by removing the cement it would have caused excessive damage to the original building fabric and it would have been very costly to have had all the stones replaced. So, the decision was to give the Façade an aesthetic face lift instead. This was possible by repairing the existing masonry profiles with lime mortar and then painting the areas with a stone grain effect lime-based paint. This gave a fresh and new appearance to this elevation and the repair intervention was completely reversible with no damage caused to the original building fabric. Figure 6 and Figure 8 below show a specific area of this work, before and after intervention. Figure 8 shows the full elevation repaired and stone grained.

Figure 9 and Figure 10 show mortar repairs to a residential property in Newbiggin Northumberland. Again, cement render was the issue and is highlighted in Figure 9. The cement was trapping moisture within the walls and in turn led to damp in the property. After the cement render was removed the underlying stones were in a poor state of repair so a build-up of lime mortar render was applied and was lined out to replicate natural stone. The colour and texture of the lime mortars were carefully designed to match the existing stones. Figure 9 shows the cement render outlined in red before work began and Figure 10 shows what can be achieved with careful selection of materials and good craftsmanship.

New Stone Replacements

Stone Masonry conservation is usually undertaken to preserve or to limit loss of historic material, but, if a decision has been taken to replace a stone, it should have been on the basis that there was no other option available. However, a decision to replace historic fabric with new stone can be based on recreating lost architectural detailing, or simply because there are structural problems to consider.

Careful researching and recording of stone with attention to detailing of the original historic fabric ensures that all new stone replacements of missing parts integrate harmoniously with the whole but are also distinguishable from the original so that restoration does not falsify the original artistic or historic evidence. The following examples are where new masonry was chosen due to the structural integrity of the original and the loss of architectural detailing.

Figure 11 and Figure 12 show new stone replacements, the new stone was sourced to match as closely as possible with the existing stone geology. In Figure 11 only certain components were replaced since they were structurally compromised and could result in collapse of the object. By only replacing what was necessary we retained much of the original building fabric. It was not possible to retain any of the original stone to the chimney in Figure 12 due to the existing condition of the masonry. But by carefully recording the original chimney stones we were able to replicate the exact architectural detailing of the old and rebuilt this chimney with new stone to match what was there before.

Carved Stone

Figure 13 shows the upper cornice and corner stone which had a large crack running right through the centre of the stone. The stone weighed in at 850kg and was above the entrance of a well-known grade I historic landmark in Northumberland. The decision was taken to replace this stone due to safety concerns. Once the scaffolding was in place the detailing of the existing stone was carefully recorded and a crane was employed to remove the original broken stone. A new stone was then carved to the exact style and dimensions of the existing and then winched into place.

Figure 14 shows a grotesque that was hand-carved for a private client in Northumberland, the property was not a listed building, so we could add this piece through what we call artistic licence. The grotesque formed part of the upper course to the chimney stack and the grotesques eyes were set looking down to guard the entrance gates to ward off intruders.

Traditional Leadwork

The roof is a significant and important feature of any old or historic building and often have complex roof structures with hidden gutters and valleys.

The sources of problems may not be immediately visible and moisture saturation of roof timbers can sometimes lead to dry rot. To repair and protect for future generations it is imperative to use quality traditional materials and skilled heritage techniques.

We have specialist expertise in leadwork roofing applications which means we can accommodate all types of work on ancient monuments, historic houses, or listed buildings.

The quality of our workmanship ensures that excessive thermal movement does not occur and flashings on chimneys, parapets and abutments, which all require specialist and detailed leadwork is appropriate in dimension and design.

Traditional Roof Joinery & Slating Work

Our experience and award-winning skills have delivered a high standard of workmanship on all types of roof coverings, including stone slates, Welsh slates, clay pantiles, small clay tiles and lead. Furthermore, roof timbers are equally important, and we can restore or repair any historic or old timber roof.

Figure 2 shows roofless grade II listed stone building in a garden in Northumberland that had a new lease of life after the client decided to add a pitched roof to the structure. After local planning and consents were given, the roof was re-introduced to the structure. Figure 3 shows the timber roof in place after researching the original design structure, then in Figure 4 the new Welsh slate roof is added to ensure the building is wind and water tight.

Gutters & Downpipes

Problematic cornice gutters seen in Figure 5 below can be restored and become leak-free with lead work including new outlets and down pipes.

We can replace any size or shape cast iron or lead gutters, down pipes including bespoke items such as lead hoppers and the like seen in Figure 6.

Inappropriate Modern Impervious Building Materials

Providing regular maintenance is carried out on historic masonry with appropriate materials such as repointing with traditional lime mortars and renders for the exterior and lime plasters internally, damp should not be a problem. The reason is quite simple, mass solid wall construction is designed to absorb water in heavy rain fall and then slowly release it during dry spells. This moisture management within traditional solid wall construction is normal and providing there are no defects or modern repair interventions, solid traditional masonry should remain dry, give years of maintenance free issues and last for a very long time, after all our British historic building stock of centuries old is a testament to this.

Fractured Gutters & Downpipes

The most common causes of stone decay lie with poor maintenance and this can contribute to internal dampness and discomfort for the occupier. Figure 1 and Figure 2 below shows a leaking drainpipe which was neglected at a church in Northumberland. The cost of replacing this down pipe would have been relatively cheap if someone had recognised the importance of this intervention. However, nothing was done over a period and water had begun to ingress through the building. Damp patches appeared over time and then a strange smell emitted from the floor. Unfortunately, the water ingress had rotted the timber floor joists and an outbreak of dry rot had spread through the underside of the timber floor.

After we got the call in 2017, the first job was to replace the down pipe to eliminate the water ingress however my client had no option but to instruct the stripping out of the timber floor and have it replaced, see Figure 3 and Figure 4.

For this work a simple back to basics approach was required and by replacing the internal plaster with a traditional lime plaster and raking out the cement to the external mortar joints and repointing them with a traditional lime mortar and, two years on, the building is now completely dry.

Rising Damp & Salts

Modern constructed cavity wall buildings are designed to keep water out of the masonry whilst traditional buildings of solid construction are designed to absorb and manage water through their mass. Water retention within traditional building fabric is sometimes known as the engine of decay, but it is not water that is the problem, it is what water carries with it.

Salts within masonry fabric are soluble when in solution and remain relatively harmless, however when the moisture dries out, salts crystallise and form on the surface of the stones. Frost is also a problem during the winter months and can also crystallise within the pour structure of the stones, both salts and frost can lead to disaggregation on the surface of the stones, this is known as stone decay.

Modern Damp Proofing Systems

Traditional buildings seldom have damp proof courses, they manage water through their mass structure. There is no requirement for modern expensive damp proofing treatments such as chemical injection or pastes designed to release impervious silicone fluids into the construction, nor is there a need for sprays to cure damp or rotted timbers.

Modern chemical injection systems rarely work in traditional solid construction and can be very detrimental to the masonry fabric and should be avoided. Figure 5 shows an internal column at a church in Northumberland. At some point in the past a modern chemical injection system was installed at low level to the column in the attempt to combat rising damp, see the drill holes at the bottom of the stone.

Salt is clearly visible above the chemical injection holes and has crystallised and dried out, above the evaporation zone. The expansion of salts on the surface of the stone has clearly blown off the surface of the stone at the only point where the moisture can escape. If the chemical damp proof course had not been installed the area below the salt contamination would have been able to breath and the subsequent damage would not have occurred.