Our Services
Salt Damp Treatment
Salt damp is common in old homes and is usually caused by moisture rising from the ground or falling from damaged gutters or downpipes. It is also common around house wet areas such as bathrooms, laundries and toilets.
When the first signs of damp appear it is often through the pointing. If left untreated it will slowly eat through the entire wall. The sooner you detect and fix salt damp the easier and cheaper the job will be.
There are two main methods for treating rising damp depending on the severity of the problem. If it is detected early a possible option is chemical injection. This involves drilling several holes into the base of the house and filling these holes with a chemical, which once inserted into the holes spreads through the stone or brick and mortar joints. Once in the wall the chemical forms a gel and creates a water proof barrier. The area can then be repointed with a new lime-based mortar mix.
If the wall has been badly affected by rising damp the best thing to do is remove the bottom layers of stone or brick, lay damp proof course (plastic) down and replace the damaged stone and or brick matching the original as close as possible.
Chimney Rebuilds and Repairs
Adelaide Stone Repointing also specialises in chimney repairs and rebuilds.
Like all good maintenance the best time to repair a chimney is when the first signs of damage are noticeable. This is usually when you notice the mortar on the chimney starting to erode. The repair can be as simple as removing the old lime mortar and reporting with a new lime based mortar mix.
If you don't get to the repairs soon enough, it could be necessary to replace several bricks or potentially rebuild the chimney from the roof line up.
Stone and Brick Replacment
Sometimes after many years in the wall stone and brick can deteriorate. This happens for different reasons. It might be a water leak in the same place for a long period, rising damp or falling damp. Whatever the cause the cure is often easier than people think. Once the underlying issues are resolved Adelaide Stone Repointing will remove the affected stone/brick and replace it to look like it was supposed to when first built.
Stone and Brick Repointing
Pointing is the mortar around the stone and brickwork. It is usually about 2 – 4cm deep. Not only does pointing make your house look good, it also plays an important role in protecting your stone and brickwork.
Pointing is traditionally done with a lime-based mortar. The lime creates a flexible and weather-proof mix without being too hard.
If the mortar is harder than the stone or brickwork it can cause the stone or brick work to crack when there is movement in your home.
