Brick slips Bonded with heavenly Ronafix mortar

 

A major renovation programme utilising the bonding properties of Ronafix was completed at All Saints Church, Weston on Avon, Warwickshire. Specialist contractors fixed stone slips into the face of the church tower replacing the eroded and worn face.

 

The contractor had a difficult job on his hands trying to locate stone which matched the existing blocks in colour and texture. Fortunately a local bridge built out of similar stone had just been demolished and the usable pieces were collected and taken back to the church for sizing, cutting and cleaning. An appeal was made in the local paper for people to offer any blocks they may have lying around their gardens, such was the importance of this restoration project and the rarity of the stone.

 

When sufficient stone had been located it was important that none was wasted. As an economy measure and in an attempt to make the stone go further, it was decided that instead of replacing a whole block of stone a thinner ‘slip’ cut from a larger block, should be used, bonded o the cut back face of the original stone.

 

The contractor was uncertain whether this could be done and we visited site and discussed the problem. The traditional method was to break out 150mm to 200mm of the old stone and bed in a new piece using an ordinary mortar. Using Ronafix it was possible to reduce the thickness to only 50mm, reducing the amount of stone needed, and cutting down on time and money.

 

The contract time was accelerated considerably and a lot of money saved - so much so that the project was put forward for the King of Prussia’s Gold Medal Competition, organised by the Historic Churches Preservation Trust.

 

The use of Ronafix increased the chance of success in the competition as well as helping to restore this historic structure to its former glory.