STONE CONSERVATION

We work with clients to evaluate the existing state stonework and the degree of intervention and repair necessary. Our specialist stone masons are qualified in the preparation and use of lime mortars for use in re-pointing and stone repair.

Repair methods are matched to the needs of a projects particular stone problem, often a single project will require us to utilise a palette of techniques. The overriding principle is to retain as much of the original stone as possible.

Masonry Repair Techniques: complete stone replacement,  replacement of individual stone,  carved stonework,  indenting,  render repairs,  redressing,  pinning,  lime mortar use.

At Team Force our experienced craftsmen have a particular understanding of older and historic listed buildings and we have gained a reputation for the superb quality of our timber restoration.

Wood is integral to most buildings, it lends them strength, purpose and beauty, but if left untreated it can be the cause of untold problems. It is prone to: insect infestation,  dry rot,  wet rot.

At Team Force we have experience of listed and historic building restoration, our services include structural repair, damp proofing, internal and external façade refurbishment, roofing and leadwork.

We can effectively treat all major timber problems, ensuring the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. Everything from, the smallest carved detail to a major timber frame refurbishment. roofs,  joists,  floorboards,  windows – sash & casement,  doors,  rot-proofing.

We can advise you on and implement a course of remedial action suited to the needs of your particular project.

All our damp proofing work uses and is approved by the Sovereign Chemical Company, who are a BSI registered firm and members of the British Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing Association.

Our work comes with a Sovereign 30 Year Protection Scheme Guarantee.

Our specialist expertise in leadwork roofing applications means we can accommodate all types of work on older and historic listed buildings, where attention to detail and craftsmanship are vital for proper restoration.

Older buildings often have complex roof structures with hidden gutters and valleys and the sources of problems may not be immediately visible. Moisture saturation of roof timbers, can sometimes lead to dry rot.

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 thickness, size and design.

All of our leadwork adheres to current L.D.A (Lead Development Association) guidelines.

Leadwork Repair: Stepped flashing, Box gutters, Run out valleys, Sand(machine cast or milled lead use), Bossing and Welding.

It is important to appreciate inappropriate alteration or repair to older buildings 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. At Team Force we have the traditional skills and experience needed to retain the character and conservation of old and historic buildings.

Older buildings normally 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.

We understand that older buildings require sensitive restoration and an understanding of their history and constructional form. Our expert team have the experience and craftsmanship to cater for the often demanding needs of older and historic listed buildings.

From initial consultation and expert advice our skilled craftsmen have the knowledge to ensure your restoration, refurbishment or conservation project is carried out to our exacting standards.

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ABOUT TEAMFORCE

Our experience and qualified craftsmen in the highly specialised field of restoration mean Team Force are qualified to provide all the expertise necessary to carry out highly successful building restoration and maintenance work. We have successfully completed hundreds of projects for our many clients, from refreshing tired building and shop facades, to roofing churches and restoring structural elements to sound condition. At Team Force our experienced craftsmen, have traditional skills that can be applied the restoration of ancient and historicbuildings, retail premises, older residential and commercialproperties.

Our friendly customer service team are on hand to offer help and advice on all aspects of building maintenance, refurbishment and restoration. We have a skilled workforce that operates to a very high standard, and our health and safety record is second to none.

At Team Force we pride ourselves on our safety record, which stands at 100%. All work undertaken by us meets and exceeds current H&S; requirements. All of our employees are trained in Health & Safety to NVQ level, and all carry Health & Safety CSCS cards. We have experience of working with a diverse range of clients including: Management and commercial property agents,  General Contractors,  Insurance Companies,  Industrial and commercial businesses,  Home owners with historic & listed properties,  Home owners with older properties (Victorian, Georgian etc),  Industrial and commercial businesses,  Listed buildings,  Retail premises,  Barn conversions,  Churches,  Local Authorities.

Recent restoration projects include, The Cathedral Church of St Mary in Newcastle, Wray Castle, Fatfield and Wallington Hall. Internal and external shop refurbishment on a parade of five void units in Wansbeck.

We work very closely with many household names including:

   

Team Force are pleased to announce that our determination and commitment on the Seaton Delaval Hall restoration project has earned recognition from the English Heritage Angel Awards. The passion and enthusiasm of Team Force has resulted in a certificate from English Heritage for our work to restore the beautiful Baroque country house in the north east of England.

The comprehensive restoration included masonry work to the central hall, structural support to the balcony and chimney breasts, and much, much more. Our stone masons assisted with public tours, gave demonstrations, including carving demonstrations, and held training courses, with full public access throughout the restoration. Team Force went above and beyond the call of duty as we are highly committed to ensuring exceptional standards of workmanship and professionalism on every project.

In May 2012 Team Force won a commended award from the Constructing Excellence North East Awards for our work with the National Trust on Seaton Delaval Hall. We have also won an award for our outstanding work on a previous project with English Heritage at Lindesfarne Priory.

To view the certificate from English Heritage please click this link.

In September 2012, Team Force recruited Nick Maguire.  An experienced roofer that will bring a wealth of knowledge to compliment the expertises already present at Team Force.  We envisage that Nick will assist Team Force in continuing to provide an excellent service to our customers.  Welcome Nick.

Below, in his own words, is a short diagnosis of Nicks experience to date:

"I joined Matthew Charlton Slaters Ltd in 1989. I have worked on all types of traditional slating and tiling all over the north of England and south of Scotland.

By 1992 I was in charge of my own gang as a time served slater and by 1993 was in charge of the re-roofing works to the Dolphin Centre in Darlington. I specialised in random slating spending many years working in the lake district using Westmoreland slates and I have done several stone slate roofs from south Yorkshire to north Northumberland. In the late 1990s I re-trained to fix lead and worked on many church re-leading jobs. 

In 2006 I was promoted to contracts manager and was in charge of large contracts from enquiry to completion. I have worked on many listed and historical properties including Corby and Alnwick castles, Durham and Hexham cathedrals and numerous churches and halls."

In May 2012, Team Force entered into the Constructing Excellence North East awards and won a  commended award for our work with the National Trust at Seaton Delaval Hall.

"We are thrilled once again for the second year running to pick up a prestigious award for Constructing Excellence in the north east (Heritage Category), with Team Force. A very big thank you to all the Team Force staff for their hard work, not forgetting the staff at Seaton Delaval hall (National Trust) who were a good bunch to work with." Brendan Teasdale, Team Force Managing Director and Head Mason

Our application can be viewed by clicking this link:

View our application (FLASH)

Alternatively your application can be viewed in pdf format by clicking this link:

View our application (PDF)

This project was over seen and run by the National Trust.  For more information regarding Seaton Delaval Hall please visit:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/seaton-delaval-hall/

This is the second time that Team Force has been recognised for its excellent work in preserving our historic buildings.  Back in May 2011, Team Force won the "Heritage" category at the Constructing Excellence North East awards for our work with English Heritage at Lindisfarne Priory.

Initiated by the North East Heritage Environment Forum and hosted by NECT, the Heritage Skills Initiative (HSI) has identified how severe the skills shortage is in the region and how it is responding to that gap. It has determined ways of stemming the increasing heritage skills shortage by examining opportunities, raising awareness and creating the training and partnership opportunities needed to address the skills gap in those trades required to restore and maintain the historic environment. Teamforce are one of many contractors working with HSI creating training opportunities and providing awareness raising of heritage skills in the North East. HSI offer  courses in the following traditional building skills: Stone Masonry, Sash Window Construction, Blacksmithing, Lime Harling, Lime Plastering, Lime Pointing, Pole Lathe Turning, Traditional Roofing  Techniques

HSI, now almost completing its firth year, runs a programme of over 100 heritage training courses and events across the North East and Cumbria. From April 2007 to May 2010 they provided over 48,000 hours of training and events, which range from taster days in blacksmithing to master classes in lime plastering,  to advice for home owners, contractors and professionals.

Brendan Teasdale (Director of Team Force) has instructed at several HSI organised taster days.  One of these collaborations took place at Lindisfarne, Holy Island, Autumn 2010 . Brendan in union with Ray Stockdale of English Heritage held a one day training session to demonstrate the techniques associated with  Soft Capping . This skill involves capping stone walls with vegetation to help protect from water damage. Team Force understands the importance of  these events  as they  create opportunities for training and  increase awareness of the heritage sector.

Through provision of training and raising of awareness the HSI involves individuals, organisations and local authorities in responding to the required skills gap in the North East.  HSI understand the importance of the hands on approach. Those who book on the free taster sessions are given the rare opportunity to not only observe the region’s crafts people in action, but actually roll up their sleeves and have a go.

Team Force attended and demonstrated their skills at the highly successful North East Heritage Skills Fair at the National Trusts Gibside Estate, July 2008 .  The event spanned three days and housed over 72 national and regional demonstrators and exhibitions.  This event was a great success with around 400 0 visitors, including 15 school parties. The HSI and Team Force will be held a n introductory session to traditional roofing techniques at Souter Lighthouse on the 16th of July 2011. Please contact HSI at [email protected] to book your place.

In May 2011 Team Force entered into the Constructing Excellence North East awards under the "Heritage" category for our work at Lindisfarne Priory.  We won.  In the top picture to the right the award can be seen being presented by Michael Rowley (left) to Team Force Directors Brendan Teasdale (middle) and Lee Teasdale (right).

Here is what the CENE had to say, "This award recognises the achievement of high standards in the repair, re-use and revitalisation of the regions historic buildings, sites and places".  They continued "The project which forms the second phase of a larger project designed to add longevity to the structure through a measured scope of consolidation and repair works to the fabric preserving the monument for future generations to enjoy. The structure had suffered extensive masonry erosion and required also required re-pointing after previously inappropriate methods had been undertaken previously".

After winning this regional award, Team Force have now been put forward for the national awards under the same category.

To view our application for this award please click the following link:

View our application (FLASH)

Alternatively, our application can be viewed in pdf format by click the following link:

View our application (PDF)

Team Force recently received recognition for their efforts in health and safety when the NFRC (National Federation of Rooting Contractors) awarded them with their Silver Safety Award.

The NFRC congratulated Team Force on this great achievement when they presented their official certificate.  The NFRC continued to say:

"You will.be pleased that as one of more than 100 award winners, you are helping to promote a positive attitude to health and safety within your company, to reduce accidents and health hazards and keep safety high on the agenda. This also helps NFRC in its aim to show the industry, government and the public that our members have a high safety record which they continue to maintain year on year".

We are very proud of this achievement. Our certificate can be viewed here:

At Team Force we take serious consideration of our training, whether it is upskilling the existing work force or taking on an apprentice.

Team Force has a continuous yearly training program that not only provides training in stone masonry, lime mortar repair work etc, and roofing skills, but also in health and safety. In 2007 which was our first entry we were awarded a bronze certificate for Health and Safety from the NFRC, this was in the best newcomer category and we still maintain this high standard today.

We also run training courses ourselves and taster days throughout the year, passing on our knowledge to others who may be interested.

Team Force Director, Brendan Teasdale has also taken up the position of Masonry Tutor at The Orton Trust after six years of being a student and being nominated for student of the year in 2008.

Some of the photos in this section demonstrate lime pointing, mortar repairs, and stucco techniques.

If you would like more information on training please use the following links:

http://www.ortontrust.org.uk/
http://www.scotlime.org/
http:// www.westdean.org.uk/College

Brendan Teasdale was recognized as student of the year by The Orton Trust Northamptonshire.

Brendan had completed five years training previous to this in practical masonry and in 2008 he was nominated as student of the year by his tutor.

Brendan and Lee Teasdale being presented the award by The Men of The Stones, later Brendan gave a talk on masonry.

In 2009 after the current masonry tutor made the tutors position vacant Brendan was offered the position as masonry tutor, he naturally took this roll on and has never looked back.

The courses Brendan tutors are:

• Banker Masonry,
• Building a solid stone wall,
• Lime mortar in stone building,
• Lime mortar repairs,
• Setting out.

More courses will be available in the near future, and will be advertised on our web site.

http://www.ortontrust.org.uk
http://www.scotlime.org

 

West Wing Tower

Replacement coping stones, cutting out existing cracked stone units and hand carving the new profile to match the existing.

The stone type is Blaxter Stripe and is quarried out of Northumberland, when first quarried and still green the stone can be easily carved, the stone was then bedded and grouted into position.

Main Hall Internal

One of the trickiest jobs in the main hall was the replacement key voussoir to the arch set within the central balcony wall that divides the main hall and the salon. The central voussoir along with most of the internal stone to the main hall was damaged during the great fire of 1822 that gutted the hall and left it roofless for a number of years after. A timber former was constructed to shore up the arch before the stones above were carefully dismantled. A new replacement stone was hand carved on site and carefully lifted into position. Templates were made and taken from the surviving stone voussoir’s within the hall so we could replicate the same profiled moulding to the new stone.

Carving new components, West Wing

A closer inspection of the urns to the east and west wings revealed that they were in a dangerous condition and considered a hazard to the general public. The existing iron dowel that runs through the centre of the urns designed to hold the Urn components together had rusted and expanded to such an extent that it shattered the stone components that make up the urn, some were simply taken down, others were repaired with steel pins to hold the sections together and the sections that were beyond repair, new components were carved on site for their replacements.

In Autumn last year 2010 Ray Stockdale of English Heritage and Brendan Teasdale of Team Force Restoration held a one day training session to demonstrate the techniques of soft capping. Students from local heritage companies, heritage conservation officers, and architect were present at the one day demonstration.

The tops of masonry walls used to be consolidated with either lime mortar and stone or even sometimes with cement, this meant that any rain would simply wet the top of the wall then run down the wall and over time damaging the wall not to mention the unsightly water marks that it left.

Soft capping sometimes exists were vegetation has grown over the top of a stone wall however if this is not the case we can cap the wall with a soft capping ourselves to help protect the wall from water damage, the soft capping acts like a sponge soaking up the water then releasing it gradually.

There are two main techniques that we use and all students were given the chance to lend a hand.

Picture 1 shows a traditional natural soft cap, the turf was removed from its natural environment near the Bothy as the chances of success were higher. Firstly the stone is consolidated then a layer of turf is folder over for the base of the capping. In picture 7 you can see the top layer of turf, this is then pegged down with hard wood pegs until the two layers of turf knit together, all that is now needed is for the edges to be trimmed.

In picture 2 puddle clay was used and built up in a kind of hump to the top of the masonry and in picture 6 the new turf capping was used this was then netted and pegged in place, this method is sometimes used in Scotland and is designed to shed water off the wall.

The turf is then monitored for a few days and watered to make sure of its survival, a long term maintenance free solution is the outcome. 

History

Previously called Pipestrille House and recently re-named Fatfield House. This work was for a private client and was a conversion into a home. It was originally a barn and listed and it required some serious intervention.

Project.

The works required drilling out of cement pointing from the beds and joints, grouting, removal of cement patch render, new stone lintels and corbels, a new roof and gutters, and finally a total re-point of the existing façade, but  not before the Pipestrille bats tenancy was up and they had vacated the building were works allowed to proceed.

Photo [A] shows the serious settlement cracks probably due to flooding. The wall was stabilized and grouted from the bottom upwards. This took careful management of the grouting, and plugging of small holes near the areas was done to avoid spillage. Cement is an impervious material and should not be used in the conservation or restoration of older or historic buildings, we now know today that stone units within a building need to breathe. Lime being more permeable than cement assists water to evaporate from the stone units taking any salts with it through the lime mortar joints. When these joints are blocked with cement i.e. over pointing some of the moisture is locked up within the stones and this is the main cause of stone decay.

Photo [C] shows cement pointing. You can see by this photo the rapid acceleration of stone decay due to the impervious nature of the cement. Photo [D] shows this cement pointing carefully removed and re-pointed with the appropriate lime mortar mix.

Photo [E] shows the extent of the cement pointing and render to the face of the wall on this elevation, and photo [F] shows the careful removal of this cement and properly restored using lime mortar, prolonging the life of the stone. The roof of this property also benefited from a full replacement using as much of the original slates as possible. New corbels and coping stones were also replaced as they were so badly damaged or did not exist at all. The roof timbers were sprayed with appropriate chemicals to preserve them.

This our finest yet, the works at Lindisfarne Priory involved careful stone removal of Scotch Pointing which is a very hard cement based concrete that consolidates the walls of the Priory.

Behind the scotch pointing in many areas is a hard cement grout which is actually harder than the concrete scotch pointing. Removal of this was a very careful and tedious job; we used drills to drill out the concrete before using tungsten chisels to break it up. Some of the scotch pointing and the cement grout have been consolidated so well it is up to 100mm thick into the wall. Only approximately one square meter a day per mason can be removed due to the hardness of the existing mortar.

Once the cement mortar and grout have been removed we consolidate the wall with a mixture of lime mortar and pinning stones to give the wall and the stones around the wall more stability, the work will dramatically not just improve the appearance but will also preserve the stone units for a lot more years to come.

When working on an English Heritage project minimum intervention is the way forward, you can see this in our mortar repairs to some of the stones, the mortar repair is set back to help preserve the stone unit and it is intended to show that it is in fact a repair and not to create an illusion of a new stone replacement.

It is also a fact that we only decide to replace any new stone if it is of a structural nature or say a cornice or a string course which its purpose is to throw water from the building and protecting the stones underneath it.

Attached are some photos showing mortar repairs to stone units, replacement stone and the stages it undertakes to carve such stone, also note the tooling to the stone.

This only a small job but significant, we started out simply to conserve what we had and to stop any further decay of the building. However the owners of the building were keen to go one step further and wanted stone replacement. It was suggested that we replace all of the stones and carry out some lime mortar repairs to the Crucifix window.

After assessing the building more thoroughly we suggested to the client that it would be better to replace the more badly damaged stones, stones that were of a structural nature.

After the work commenced and the badly damaged stones were removed it was apparent that the internal core work to the walls were also in need of further consolidation, this was carried out and some replacement new Blaxter stone was used for the stone unit replacements.

Whilst removing the cement render from the Crucifix window it became apparent that the stone underneath the cement render had decayed so much we considered a full replacement. The client agreed and work went ahead, we ordered the stone from the local quarry {Blaxter type} and began carving out the mullions and the transom.

Mortar repairs were carried out to the stones to the sides of the window, and new glass was installed. A massive transformation of this building had taken place and the client was overjoyed. 

As well as some consolidation of mortar joints to the priory we carried out some stone replacement.

A template was made to suit the curvature of the stair well and once this was done we applied the template to the stone and carved out two replacement stones to fit the openings where the existing worn stones were removed.

Notice the new stones are built out to suit the original building line, this is a very important factor when carrying out restoration to a historic structure, this suggests to the person looking at the building of the original building line and also implies that we are not trying to hide the fact that it is a replacement stone.

When the stone was placed and we were happy that it was in the correct position, tooling of the stone was carried out in situ to replicate earlier examples of tooling to the Priory in days gone by.

Photos show carving the two stones, setting in place of the stones and then finally tooled.

History

Standing in a secluded woodland setting this English Heritage property is one of the finest and most unaltered examples of a 13th-century English manor house. It was originally built as an undefended residence, but almost immediately fortified on the outbreak of Anglo-Scottish warfare. Nevertheless it was pillaged and burnt by the Scots in 1315, seized by English rebels two years later, and again occupied by Scots in 1346. In the 18th century Aydon became a farmhouse, remaining so until 1966.

Project

Emergency repairs were needed to one of the stone peaks on this castle, collapse was inevitable.

A scaffold was erected at the peak, each stone was carefully dismantled and recorded.

Iron cramps which are not unusual to find within old stone walls were rusting causing jacking of the stones. Picture [A] shows the extent of the jacking of stones.

In picture [B] the stones are being removed and you can just see the old iron cramp that has caused the problem.

Picture [C] shows one of the iron cramps and the extent of the decay.

After the wall was fully reduced and all the old iron cramps removed, the wall was then built back up. Existing photos taken before the peak was reduced showed what stones were laid where on the peak, and all galleting etc was re-bedded into their original position. Photo [D] shows the peak being built back up with the new stainless steel cramp in position.

History

Opened in 1873. In the cemetery is the grave and a statue of one of the greatest reformers in Blaydons annals. He was Tommy Ramsey who was one of the founders of the Durham Miners Association. He died in 1873. His statue shows him with a roll of handbills and the rattle which he used to call miners to his meetings.

Project

This work involved the complete replacement of the main roof to the church, dry rot had taken a hold within the roof area and this needed some timber replacement and timber treatment to restore the roof areas.

The extent of the dry rot reached the front doors and after careful consideration it was decided that there was only one thing to do. The rot was so serious that the doors were replaced and all existing iron mongery was salvaged, cleaned up and re-used on the new doors, and then given a new coat of paint

Client: Gateshead Council.

History: Previously called Pipestrille House and recently re-named Fatfield House. This work was for a private client and was a conversion into a home. It was originally a barn and listed and it required some serious intervention.

Project: The works required drilling out of cement pointing from the beds and joints, grouting, removal of cement patch render, new stone lintels and corbels, a new roof and gutters, and finally a total re-point of the existing façade, but not before the Pipestrille bats tenancy was up and they had vacated the building were works allowed to proceed.

Photo [A] shows the serious settlement cracks probably due to flooding. The wall was stabilized and grouted from the bottom upwards. This took careful management of the grouting, and plugging of small holes near the areas was done to avoid spillage. Cement is an impervious material and should not be used in the conservation or restoration of older or historic buildings, we now know today that stone units within a building need to breathe. Lime being more permeable than cement assists water to evaporate from the stone units taking any salts with it through the lime mortar joints. When these joints are blocked with cement i.e. over pointing some of the moisture is locked up within the stones and this is the main cause of stone decay.

Photo [C] shows cement pointing. You can see by this photo the rapid acceleration of stone decay due to the impervious nature of the cement. Photo [D] shows this cement pointing carefully removed and re-pointed with the appropriate lime mortar mix.

Photo [E] shows the extent of the cement pointing and render to the face of the wall on this elevation, and photo [F] shows the careful removal of this cement and properly restored using lime mortar, prolonging the life of the stone. The roof of this property also benefited from a full replacement using as much of the original slates as possible. New corbels and coping stones were also replaced as they were so badly damaged or did not exist at all. The roof timbers were sprayed with appropriate chemicals to preserve them.

This Catholic Cathedral Church of St. Mary, Newcastle upon Tyne is a Grade I listed building designed by Augustus Welby Pugin, and is situated in the heart of Newcastles Grainger Town, opposite Newcastle Central Station.

Project

On this project a finial was made out of lead sheet to cap off the glass domed roof on the new extension of the Cathedral.

A sloping glass roof light was also weathered with lead sheet.

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