Restoration and Renovation - St. Mary's Church, Cumbria

A beautiful and historic church has recently been renovated with the extensive use of Twistfix products. St. Mary's Church in the Lake District, had suffered from severe problems caused by damp, necessitating a full inspection and remedial plan and contractors Protex Property were chosen for the important project.

The Church is located near the thriving Cumbrian village of Kendal and, built in 1743 to a classic Georgian style, is a grade1 listed stone church. The building is mainly constructed from sandstone and coarse rubble and also features dressed ashlar sandstone to give its distinctive style. Two rear extensions have been added to the original building;  brick cavity-walled structures have been added about 100 years ago and much later the porch was faced with reconstituted stone.

The damp problems at the old Church were caused by a combination of damaged pointing and faulty lead flashings, causing water to penetrate into the aged and vulnerable masonry. In addition many timbers were damp and infested.

Protex carried out a full survey which concluded that the church was indeed suffering from extensive problems with damp. These issues had led to masonry cracking and wood rot, compromising the structural integrity of parts of the building and making clear the need for adequate repair, renovation and damp-prevention strategies.

To halt the damaging continuation of penetrating damp, Twistfix damp proofing membranes were installed to the internal wall surfaces at a height of up to five metres by the contractor, offering a rapid, professional and cost-effective solution to mitigate the effects of the damp issue. As the membranes are so flexible, they were easily fitted around a range of historical decorative items which could not be moved.  After lime pointing repairs were undertaken externally, a single coat of high strength water repelling facade cream was used to protect the walls against the elements and to safeguard the sandstone against further frost damage.  Whilst keeping rainwater out the vapour permeable cream allows moisture in the masonry to evaporate.

Masonry cracks were repaired using Twistfix structural ties, quickly and effectively providing a strong and lasting stitch while preventing further movement. Rot-affected timbers which were beyond repair were replaced and the entire area was treated with wood preservatives to ensure that wet rot or dry rot would not become an issue in the future.

The church is now fully restored and continues to offer a dedicated place of worship to its many parishioners in the beautiful lake district countryside as well as being and important piece of history. We are proud that our products have been used to provide such a professional repair to this beautiful building.

For more information on the comprehensive selection of damp proofing and masonry repair products available from Twistfix, please call us today on 0845 123 6006 or by email sales@twistfix.co.uk.