Twistfix Products Used to Restore Period Property

A Grade II Listed Building in Surrey that had fallen into a state of disrepair has been fully restored by Twistfix-registered renovation specialists Perma-Fix Limited. Old Church Hall, the main building of which was constructed in the early 17th century, features several later additions to the structure including a Edwardian-built annexe; all of these areas had suffered varying degrees of damage.

The historic and imposing building is located between Woking and Epsom on the extreme southern outskirts of London. As specialists in designing and executing bespoke restoration schemes with a particular expertise in period properties, Perma-Fix were employed to carry out a non-disruptive, cost-effective repair plan.

Soil samples were taken and analysed by a local Structural Engineer; the results of this analysis showed that, as expected for a structure of this age and type, the shallow brick foundations were not adequate. However close consultation with the owner and the engineer concluded a piling or underpinning scheme would not be the most appropriate solution and that reinforcement of the superstructure would be most the most beneficial and sympathetic repair. Visual inspection revealed widespread masonry separation and also severe diagonal cracking above many window-heads; the separation had occurred due to ground movements and increased loads which were, in turn, caused by the total lintel failure responsible for the stepped diagonal cracks. Further structural instability had been caused by the ingress of roots from ivy and other plants, which had eroded between-brick gaps and destroyed the pointing.

The age and condition of the property meant that the project was extremely delicate and sensitive, requiring that minimal disruption be caused to the structure both in terms of construction and aesthetic. Perma-Fix designed and created a complete repair and restoration system that, using more than 380m of Twistfix bed joint reinforcement, created new beams within the masonry to distribute structural loads evenly and prevent further cracking.

WHO-60 Twistfix grout was used to secure the retro-beam system behind a lime mortar finish. As this was a period property originally built using lime-based mortars, the repointing, during which old mortar was painstakingly excavated by hand due to the delicate nature of the masonry, was also carried out using lime mortar to provide the necessarily sensitive and sympathetic approach to the work. The completed restoration, leaves the property looking untouched yet fortified to stand for another century and beyond.

Our masonry repair solutions, damp proofing systems, insulation products and other structural repair and renovation materials, tools and accessories are the choice of thousands of professionals, offering consistent positive results at the most competitive price.

For more information on the Twistfix product range, please contact us by calling 0845 123 6006 or email sales@twistfix.co.uk.