Facade restoration part 1 - the pebbledash

[Edward Ian]

OK, so finally having moved to Woolwich in London in May (and to those who have been paying attention, no the basement was always only 4ft deep, not filled in) and toying endlessly with how far I should go in renovating/restoring the house, I have decided to go whole hog.

The façade was pebbledashed many years ago (as was the back), and now painted black (recently I think in order to sell the place). It looks ok, though god only knows what is going on underneath - see third photo where some bright spark as installed a vent into the sitting room in order to counter to suffocating properties of the dash. Having agonised over whether to go for new PVC sliding sash windows (look OK but never quite right, best for thermal insulation and 30% cheaper) or full timber double glazed sliding sashes (not such good (but still not bad) insulation and do need painting and maintenance, but the puritan in me just can't say yes), have decided on timber.


So having got to that point, have decided to remove the dash and restore the red brick façade. The scaffolding is going up tomorrow. Will keep you posted.

 

[Craig89]

Fair play to you! Lots of work ahead but it will definatly be worth it! Hopefully you dont find any nasty surprises on removing the pebble dash.

All the best with it!

Craig

 

[Edward Ian]

Thank you I am not doing this work myself, I have called in the professionals, so it's a fixed price contract.
But.... I am so excited

 

[88v8]

Bold man!!

So, if it turns out that it can't be removed without damaging the brick face, what's Plan B?

Ivor

 

[Edward Ian]

We are expecting some bricks to need replacing, which is included in the quote. Theses firms do this all the time, so I am not expected the disaster that I had last time with the render on my previous house.
But if it really was that had there are always brick slips.

 

[Flyfisher]

It’s probably a bit difficult to accurately judge from the photos but that facade looks quite smart to me.

I agree it’s a shame the original brickwork has been covered up but it would also be a shame to damage the original brickwork to the extent of requiring a significant number of brick slips or other repairs.

Has the pebbledash removal been tested on a small area to determine the likelihood of removal without damage?

 

[mims&pip]

It’s probably a bit difficult to accurately judge from the photos but that facade looks quite smart to me.

I agree it’s a shame the original brickwork has been covered up but it would also be a shame to damage the original brickwork to the extent of requiring a significant number of brick slips or other repairs.

Has the pebbledash removal been tested on a small area to determine the likelihood of removal without damage?

What he said ^^^

 

[Edward Ian]

@pip&mims - tut tut, there you go, assuming I am a man cause my screen name is Edward! :roll: Edward Ian - get it? Edwardian lol
But yes, I'm a man Betty

@ Flyfisher - the quote that I have (and I received three to get a consistent picture) is to replace any damaged bricks. So their look out if that is a lot 8)

The house at the end of the terrace (on the corner) has had it's dash removed from the lower half (don't know why, expect it was falling off or causing damp issues) but has come off fairly clean. Will try and post a photo tomorrow.

 

[Edward Ian]

As promised, here is the end of the terrace


and close up - I don't think whoever has taken the dash of is particularly skilled, but it does show that the façade should be red rubbers

 

[mims&pip]

@pip&mims - tut tut, there you go, assuming I am a man cause my screen name is Edward! :roll: Edward Ian - get it? Edwardian lol
But yes, I'm a man Betty

Edward Ian (lol!) - If you had understood my post, you'd have realised I wasn't referring to you at all but to Flyfisher :roll:

Hope your finished house looks better than the one at the end of the terrace!!!

 

[Edward Ian]

Right, so last Friday they started at 7.30 am - 2 men. They made quite good progress

 

[plasticpigeon]

Looking good, it even looks like the bricks were painted under the render. If this is so that is extra good news.

 

[Edward Ian]

So, more progress today. Most of it is off, and the cleaned bricks are looking rather good


However, it seems most of the mortar in the gable was gone - it seems it was held up mostly by the render. :shock: Getting dealt with tomorrow

 

[Feltwell]

However, it seems most of the mortar in the gable was gone - it seems it was held up mostly by the render. :shock:

That was often why they were rendered - thought to be easier than repointing. That, or to hide a repair or make an extension blend in.

I have to say that's looking really good and cleaning up much better than I thought it would - be thankful that no one had taken a hammer to the bricks before rendering to provide a key, I've seen that done :roll: . How are they getting the render off and then cleaning the mortar traces off the bricks?

I presume they are repointing in lime rather than sand & cement!

 

[Edward Ian]

Hi, the guy is chipping it off. Using power tools and elbow grease to clean the bricks. Will be flush pointed with lime.

 

[Edward Ian]

OK, so rain having stopped play for a few days, they are now finished. I am delighted

 

[Edward Ian]

...and I found a restored airbrick on eBay for £19 including delivery - just the job 8)


Next move - new front door!

 

[Feltwell]

That's come up really well - give it a few years to weather back in and it'll look even better!

So was it careful use of hammer & bolster followed by some acid to get the last remnants off?

They've done a decent job for you there, I didn't think it would come back that clean. There is a terrace of Victorian 2-up-2-downs further down my road, all nice original brick save for the last one which someone has stone clad :roll: - it's crying out for stripping off!

 

[plasticpigeon]

I think that is as good as it could possibly be, they look to have done a brilliant job. Now for a new front door!

 

[Flyfisher]

They've done a decent job for you there, I didn't think it would come back that clean.

Nor me. Well done indeed.