TOTAL SERVICE
We can do the total restoration job, including all
masonry trades, to meet your needs. We apply conservation principles
and processes for the preservation, restoration or reconstruction
of buildings, as appropriate, particularly if they have heritage
value. Our projects and clients include the institutions listed
and hundreds of other commercial buildings, farm properties and
private homes:
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Anglican Church Churches of Christ Lutheran Church Roman Catholic Church Salvation Army Uniting Church Badge Constructions Baulderstone Hornibrook Brimblecombe Builders Build-Tec Services Healthcare Building Services Jennings Homes |
Adelaide Workmen's Homes Angove's Pty Ltd Burnside Swimming Centre Channel 10, North Adelaide Dept of Correctional Services Miranda Wines SA Housing Trust DAIS (formerly Services SA & SACON) Southcorp Wines Sunrise Support Accommodation Work for several Architects Wiltja Program & Anangu Education Services |
Barossa Valley, several buildings Copper Triangle Band Building Cowell Hospital Cummins Community Hotel Elliston, Soldiers' Memorial Hall Lameroo District Hospital Monash, National Trust Hall Mannum, Shops Sevenhill, St. Aloysius College & Church Streaky Bay Community Hotel Streaky Bay, Institute Hall Wallaroo, Town Hall |
SALT DAMP TREATMENT
The main problem in most masonry renovation projects
is the control of salt damp caused by rising damp. The are only
two effective options to stop rising damp, either a silicone
damp-course or a conventional black plastic membrane damp-course,
installed by undersetting. We do both methods of damp-proof-course
(DPC) replacement and will recommend the right treatment for each
job.
When appropriate, we prefer the silicone damp-course option, because it is cheaper and less disruptive than undersetting. The siloxane damp-proofing liquid that we apply by gravity feed, soaks into the wall and cures to form a layer of moisture-repellent silicone plastic within the masonry itself. If the walls are badly affected, we would probably recommend undersetting as the best solution.
A feature of our service is that we do all the work necessary to complete the job, offering one-stop-shopping for clients. We will plug the drilled holes, repoint the damp-affected mortar and replaster as necessary to reinstate your walls to a sound and complete condition, matching the original walls. Our workers clean up at all times, so we finish the job neatly and tidily. We do the silicone damp-course work in a manner that conceals the holes so that the finished work blends in with the existing walls.
The first step is to decide how much of your building needs to be treated. There are obvious tell-tale signs of salt damp, such as fretting mortar and other decomposing wall materials, however, the easiest positive means of confirmation is to use a surface moisture meter, which allows damp walls to be precisely identified, even before any damage has occurred.
Wall components damaged by salt attack need to be repaired or replaced after silicone damp-course treatment. In particular, we recommend that crumbling or bubbling plaster be removed and new plaster applied. Also that fretting bricks, stones and mortar be removed and replaced with matching materials, to blend in with the existing walls.
We have the experience and skills to select the correct matching materials for stone or brick replacement and we repoint to the same standard and appearance as the original work.
Our choice of the appropriate mortar mix will allows the renovations to flex and breathe in the same way as the original walls. The resulting work will have the matching appearance, texture, colour and style of the original. In old buildings we prefer to use soft, lime-based mortar.
ABT Masonry offers a full range of restoration services for all types of brickwork, stonework and plastered walls.
PAINT STRIPPING
& STONE CLEANING
We use stripping chemicals and low pressure water spray
to clean and restore the appearance of stonework and bricks, in
the gentlest manner that does not destroy the natural surface
and pointing.
Our silicone damp-course treatment will install a new damp-course that will stop rising damp at its source, stopping the ingress of any new moisture and salts. However, the walls will need to dry out, and perhaps some of the excess salts be removed and any salt damp damage restored.
Our preference is that plastered internal walls be allowed to dry out for a period of at least 5-6 months following silicone injection, before replastering. A significant proportion of the salt will move to the surface and will be absorbed into the porous old plaster. This salt can then be removed permanently in due course while stripping the old plaster, in preparation for replastering.
For either replastering option, we remove all the crumbling or bubbling render and plaster to a level approximately 300mm above the highest "tide-mark" of the salt damp, before applying the new plaster.
Please read our "About Salt Damp" page for more information