"cracks"

Concrete foundations of a wind energy plant: Due to the influences of the weather over the years, the following damages were noticed: •Cracks due to movement •Moisture into the structure •Spalling of the concrete •Corrosion of the reinforcement •Flaking paint The first step in the restoration of the foundation was pressure injecting the cracks - through which an elastic closure of the cracks was realized. The total surface was strengthened with a unique sillicate liquid. A waterproof sloped layer was installed; finally, the moving joint between the foundations and the steel tower of the wind energy plant was sealed elastically.

Over 30 years on and still no cracking or de-bonding evident on the original tiles.

Challenge: The structure was had severe structural degradation due to the ingress of moisture and water over its near 100-year life. Corrosion to the steelframe resulted in tensile forces cracking and moving the brick skin, also causing a cracked façade. Strategy: ICCP was used as a method to control corrosion whilst the cracking and movement were repaired. This involved LoCem® and +point® AACM anode mortar to be grouted in the bed joints, alongside embedded corrosion rate sensors for service life tracking (AchillesICP and AiMS). LoCem® is a low carbon cement alternative, that can also act as a cathodic protection anode. Outcome: The structure was restored to be used as high-value residential apartments, saving tonnes of embodied carbon and eliminated the option of demolition. The embedded system successfully controlled and monitored corrosion for the long term, adding an additional 100 years to the structure’s service life.

Ulticolour, Tarmac's coloured asphalt was used to surface the redeveloped Promenade at Morecambe. The buff colour complemented the clean, modern design of the new sea wall. It provided an accessible, trip-free surface with minimal maintenance requirement. The existing surface was an old hot rolled asphalt which was suffering from cracking. To resist cracking in the new surface and extend pavement life, ULTIMAT SAMI, Tarmac’s innovative stress absorbing membrane interlayer was also used. For more details visit the Tarmac website.

In dairy industries it's vital that hygiene standards are kept to a high standard. Drainage and kerbing are important products that need consideration. To reduce costs, many may opt for concrete, however over time concrete dries out and is prone to cracking. This can jeopardise a hygienic environment as unwanted bacteria will harbour in the cracks Alternatively, drainage and wall kerbing. Stainless steel is resistant to caustic cleaning materials and lactic acid, which are common elements in a dairy. This resistance ensures that the ss surface does not corrode or weaken making it an excellent long term solution.

A 150yr old stone built cottage had developed structural faults. The archway entrance was failing due to inadequate support causing distortion of the arch pier, the front door to jam and masonry cracking in the archway walls. HD BowTies were installed through the front elevation stonework and the first two floor joists to provide lateral restraint. HeliBars were bonded into the mortar beds to create masonry beams which assisted in distributing the loads above the arch. Crack stitching was undertaken to repair and stabilise the archway wall which was also secured to the internal cross wall with grouted CemTies.

The StoRend Flex Cote render system was specified for use on the facades of the new Ad Gefrin buildings by Elphick Associates, to provide maximum crack resistance, weatherproofing and fade resistance.

A busy Leeds Freightliner container terminal located to the South East of Leeds needed replacement of a number of sections of the external paving. The site is subject to constant traffic and extreme loading, with loading vehicles weighting up to 100 tonnes when carrying a container and daily use by HGV’s. Tarmac’s TOPFORCE fibre reinforced concrete offered the ideal solution. Although TOPFORCE concretes can be used instead of conventional steel reinforcement in some applications, in this case it would be used for added durability and crack resistance in a pavement design containing two layers of steel reinforcement mesh within a 300mm slab. The fibres within TOPFORCE provide three-dimensional reinforcement throughout the full depth of the pavement. This delivers improved abrasion, impact and crack resistance and enhanced flexural strength.Find out more at: https://tarmac.com/case-studies/fibre-reinforced-concrete-for-busy-transport-hub/

This Grade II listed farmhouse in Monmouthshire has recently been redecorated using the KEIM Granital system. The 16th – 18th century limewashed lime rendered property needed a freshen up. The limewash was delaminating and powdery, lower sections on the northern elevation were damp with black mould, green growth moss and algae were prevalent on all elevations, as well as hairline cracks within the render.   It was specified that all elevations should be cleaned free of excessive mould and green-growth and powdery residue from the limewash. KEIM Algicid-Plus to be applied and left to dry on the surface before coating. The lower exposed render on the front elevation was suffering from splash back off the paving stone, it was recommended that an application of KEIM Silan Primer was applied on the first 0.5m of this elevation, to allow improved water repellence. The KEIM Granital system was then used to obliterate hairline cracks and provide a breathable coating.  

A rooflight over the Cast Court installed in the Seventies had pretty much ‘given up the ghost’ and several leaks were apparent. There had been a history of glass cracking apparently without reason, which we attributed to thermal stress and poor edge cutting of the laminated glass. It was time for renewal.

The school initially requested 20 integral finger guards as part of an extension built offsite by Portakabin in 2014, and loved our finger guards so much that they later decided to replace all of their cracked plastic finger guards with our retrofit option, installing 80 of our finger guards in total.

The reservoir had an estimated 180 metres of cracks that needed repair, as well as the main element of the concrete that required coating to waterproof and add durability to the concrete structure. The Reservoir was taken out of commission but it needed to be returned to service as soon as possible. To do this, we looked at the order of the processes to ensure the tight time frames could be met.  

This is an asbestos cement roof coating and refurbishment project completed by Liquasil Approved Installers, Nadco Ltd. The roof was first cleaned and all cracks, small holes and fixings sealed with Liquasil Non-Sag Sealer, providing a permanent seal. The entire roof surface was then coated with the BBA Approved Asbestsoeal 20 asbestos roof coating system.

Shooters Sports bar is a modern sports bar located in Neath Town Centre, a principal area of Port Talbot, Wales.  A popular venue, well known for its 6 screens showing live sports, licensed bar and pool, American pool and snooker tables.Delta Registered Installers, Tywi Damp Proofing were first approached to offer remedial assistance with a section of wall which was experiencing severe water ingress.The structure being of reinforced concrete and old wall construction was allowing water ingress via cracks in the structure.Most faults in older structures which allow water ingress are either damaged or deteriorating mortars.Any cracks in the brickwork or substrates will also allow water to enter a structure and would need addressing in creating a Grade 3, habitable space under BS8102:2009 “Code of practice for protection of below ground structures against water from the ground”.Prior to proposing remedial works, ground water assessment, drainage and associated risk assessments were all undertaken.

Facing concerns about the durability of the concrete and the reliability of the water supply, CONAGUA’s construction team sought solutions that would ensure the durability of their concrete. That led them to sourcing KIM and Hard-Cem admixtures to provide quality waterproofing and abrasion and erosion resistance.With KIM, the construction team’s concrete would reap the benefits of having an award-winning waterproofing admixture that’s been certified by NSF to be safe with potable water. The concrete would become permanently watertight and safe from any waterborne contaminants. And it would all be thanks to KIM’s unique Krystol® technology. Designed to disperse throughout the concrete mix during batching, this technology would imbue the concrete with the ability to chemically react in the presence of water and unhydrated cement particles. As a result, even the slightest presence of water would allow the concrete to react to form solid interlocking crystals, which would fill up the capillary pores and micro-cracks of the concrete. That would ensure that the water would not be able to pass through the concrete and that the concrete itself could self-seal hairline cracks even under heavy hydrostatic pressure.

As part of its UK expansion program Aldi was building a new £59 million regional distribution centre and offices at Wentloog near Cardiff.Over 10,000 m3 of TOPFORCE fibre reinforced concrete was supplied over a period of 13 months for the external floor slab. The TOPFORCE concrete reduced the effects of shrinkage and settlement cracking, while enhancing the surface properties and durability of the hardened, cementitious product. 

A new, three-story extension to the back of the Sheil Hospital in Ballyshannon, and upgrades to the existing building have been completed with Sto external wall insulation and render systems. StoTherm Mineral and StoTherm Classic external wall insulation was applied to some lower sections of the buildings, with the higher areas of the façade completed with the StoRend Cote render system, to provide maximum crack resistance, weatherproofing and fade resistance. 

1,300m2 of Schlüter-DITRA 25 uncoupling membrane ensured a crack-free finish for the tile within 2016 Turner Prize nominee Anthea Hamilton’s 2018 commission for the prestigious Duveen Galleries. One British artist a year is invited to produce a new work for the signature space, which constitutes the heart of one of the UK’s most famous art galleries. Hamilton’s response, entitled ‘The Squash’, combined performance and sculpture in an immersive experience.

37 Fleet Street (Hoare’s Bank) was built in 1829 as the headquarters of C. Hoare & Co who remain the only family owned bank still in existence. Corrosion had effected the building significantly and the façade was cracking due to iron cramps and pins corroding.C-Probe Systems provided the low carbon, smart materials to create an ICCP system which effectively protected the structure and controlled the corrosion. Winner of the ICRI 2007 Award of Excellence.  

A DOFF steam cleaner was used to thoroughly clean the moss and lichen from this asbestos roof in Bridgwater. The metal fixings were treated with Liquasil's rust tolerant primer and then sealed, along with cracked sheets, using Non-Sag Sealer, before the whole roof was coated using Asbestoseal 20. The end result was a leak-free asbestos roof that will last for many more years. Asbestoseal is the only BBA Approved coating system for asbestos roofs.

Limelite Heritage Lime Mortar, a lime based cement free mortar was chosen for renewal of iconic York Guildhall site. As well as matching the visual aesthetic, the flexibility of Limelite Heritage Lime Mortars allow for slight movement and thermal expansion throughout the life of the building and reduce the risk of cracking. They can also reduce the need for expansion joints to improve the final appearance and along with the ready-to use pre blended formula, reduce build time for the contractor. 

This is an asbestos cement roof refurbishment project, using the BBA Approved Asbestoseal system from Liquasil. The roof was first cleaned using a steam cleaning machine and all metal fixings were treated with Lqiuasil's SWT Primer. All fixings and cracks were sealed with Non-Sag Sealer before the roof was completely coated with Asbestoseal 20, providing long term protection against the elements. A 10 year Latent Defects Insurance Guarantee was issued upon completion.

Another example of the BBA Approved asbestos roof coating system, Asbestsoeal from Liquasil Ltd. The asbestos cement roof was first cleaned using a closed box pressure washer. All waste was filtered and disposed of by a licensed asbestos disposal contractor. Metal fixings were treated with Liquasil SWT Corrosion Primer and then sealed, along with small cracks and holes, with Non-Sag Sealer before the roof was coated with Asbestoseal 20. The project included GRP rooflight replacement and new ridge detail and flashings.

This asbestos roof is being cleaned using a closed box pressure wash, with all waste water being filtered and recovered for re-use. Once cleaned, the roof is coated with the BBA Approved Asbestoseal system which includes: SWT CORROSION PRIMER - fully rust and wet tolerant, the primer is applied to all metal fixing to stop further corrosion. NON-SAG SEALER - is applied to all fixings and small holes and cracks to permanently seal them. ASBESTOSEAL 20 is brush applied to the roof sheets to provide a new finish.

The asbestos cement roof to this industrial unit in Hereford was heavily contaminated with moss and lichen and was leaking in numerous places. The moss and other vegetation was first dampened down, scraped off and placed into designated asbestos waste bags for licensed disposal. The roof was then steam cleaned. All metal fixings were treated with Liquasil's rust primer and sealed with Non-Sag Sealer. Small holes and cracks were sealed with Non-Sag Sealer. The entire roof was then coated with Asbestsoeal 20 and is now resistant to moss growth and water leaks.

Bicester Village is a designer outlet centre situated on the outskirts of Bicester, a town in Oxfordshire. It opened in 1995 and has become hugely popular. Hugo Boss, the luxury fashion brand, selling clothing, accessories and footwear needed advice for their textured tiled floor in their new store opening at the designer outlet. The beautiful high texture tiled floor was calculated to be approximately 300m2. When considering such a large expanse of tile it is important to use movement joints. Hard flooring expands and contracts, a movement joint prevents the tiles and grout from cracking and deboning. 

When the Gatwick consortium began renovation on the South terminal of Gatwick Airport they needed to ensure that the new floors were protected against movement of the daily traffic that they endure. Genesis provided a solution; working with the architects and installation contractors a cost effective Stainless Steel Movement Joint was selected from the Genesis range. Renovations been part of an £850million investment to see the replacement of floors and ceilings and enhance the experience travellers receive; Genesis movement Joint meets and exceeds all standards of Movement Joints and will save the floors from cracking long into the future.

Phase 2 of the Aston Student Village project, providing high standard accommodation for more than 3,000 students, the scheme is one of the biggest regeneration projects in the Midlands. Including installation Dempsey Dyer tendered for the project with the Deceuninck 2500 Chamfered suite in RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey using the unique & patented Decoroc coating externally and traditional white internally. Decoroc provides a quality and durable finish and is guaranteed not to peel, crack or fade, unlike many lesser coatings. Dempsey Dyer worked closely with Deceuninck during the specification process to ensure that all requirements were met.

Sherwn-Williams demonstrated what technical assistance can be provided on projects before any quotations or specifications are organised. A low viscosity primer Resutop Binder was recommended as a penetrating primer to case harden and consolidate the screed. Epoxy screed repairs were installed where required to make good any damaged areas. Once a sound substrate was established Resuprime MVT moisture tolerant primer was installed incorporating a fabric mesh over all joints and pitted areas to reduce any potential cracking of this substrate, followed by 9mm thick FasTop RS69 polyurtehane screed.

Axter were called to investigate the condition of balcony walkways on this residential project, which appeared to be deteriorating.ChallengesOur technical team completed a roof condition survey and found that the existing system had significant cracking, notably at the joints of the substrate board, which had caused water to penetrate the system. This cracking indicated a lack of suitable flexibility within the resin compound and there were no movement joints to help compensate for this.Over time, these cracks in the field area would have worsened due to expansion and contraction caused by the changing weather. The ridges would have become more pronounced, leading to greater water ingress, trip hazards and potential injury. There was no drip trim installed to the external edge, so water was able to track under the deck and present as a leak, damaging the soffit below. With residents living in the block and requiring access to the walkways, it was important that the refurbishment works would not impair their movements too greatly, or impact them with noise, hot works and other associated hazards.SolutionsIt was not practical to remove and replace the existing system, so an overlay was essential. The Starcoat PMMA system provided the ideal solution as it had the flexibility to accommodate the walkway movement whilst minimising the impact on the residents. The system assembly included a hard-wearing, self-levelling mortar and anti-slip aggregate designed to withstand heavy traffic and resist any potential damage from pedestrian access. A bespoke coloured sealer was also applied to the waterproofing system to match the existing metal works and colour scheme on the project.As the system is rain-proof in approximately 20 minutes and trafficable in around one hour, this meant that the access route could always be maintained and all internal detailing around residents’ front doors could be easily co-ordinated.As Starcoat PMMA is a flame free system, compliance with all NFRC Safe2Torch recommendations was achieved. This was essential considering the presence of combustible materials such as doors and frames.No requirement for gas or heating equipment on site also meant that the level of noise was kept at a minimum, with only a paddle mixer and hand tools being used to complete the installation. To further limit the potential impact of the works, a low odour system formulation was used.A metal trim was introduced at the external perimeter, allowing water to run off and prevent any capillary action back under the substrate boards and into the system.Axter Alliance Installer, Blue2 Contractors Ltd, worked efficiently and to a very high standard to complete the project in under a week, delivering an aesthetically pleasing, effective and robust waterproofing solution.Systems in useStarcoat® PMMA

This asbestos cement roof in Birmingham was soiled and in need of remediation.Nadco Roofing Services ensured that the roof was cleaned with all waste water being filtered to 2 microns prior to the application of Liquasil's BBA Approved Asbestoseal 20 asbestos roof coating system.The full system involved priming the metal fixings with our SWT Primer, before sealing the fixings and any cracks in the roof using our Non-Sag Sealer.Once dry, the roof can then be seamlessly coated using Asbestoseal which comes with a 20-year product guarantee and leaves an old asbestos cement roof looking revitalised and brand new.

The outstanding qualities of Sandtex Trade High Build Textured Decorative Coating deliver a long-term solution for the protection of buildings, capable of ironing out surface level imperfections at a stroke. Ideal for covering fine cracks and regulating repaired and uneven surfaces, this advanced masonry product offers exceptional coverage and flexibility, providing both a decorative and protective textured coating with the reassurance of 15 years’ durability, independently certified by the British Board of Agrément. Along with a long-lasting finish, the paint is formulated to maintain its good looks with anti-carbonation properties which protect concrete and metal from atmospheric erosion.

Christ Church URC in Chelmsford, Essex provides a hub for the whole community, hosting mother and toddler groups, social meetings and youth based events as well as traditional religious services. The church’s brick-clad structure includes exposed concrete columns which were showing signs of deterioration due to carbonation together with other factors causing the steel reinforcement to corrode and the surface to crack and spall, leaving the reinforcement bar exposed in areas.Sika supplied the long-term concrete repair and protection solution for a church façade which had displayed signs of deterioration due to long-term exposure to air pollutants.

An old block of apartments in Gt. Yarmouth getting a low carbon Retrofit for a higher, cleaner living standard and reduced energy bills. Passive Purple has been used externally on this huge scale block of apartments. with no margin for error and tricky details throughout, a liquid applied airtight membrane was the only way going forward. The building was being insulated externally and getting a whole new façade from render to aluminium panels. With the residents still inhabiting the building this had to be done quickly and easily with maximum results. Being a liquid applied airtight membrane, any cracks, gaps, and service penetration leaks in the existing building fabric quickly became thing of the past. That and the hundreds of Panel brackets being installed to support the new façade going on, this Retrofit had multiple penetrations and tricky details. Making good of the building fabric and awkward brackets with a near on impenetrable adhesion, Passive Purple made fast work of this great conversion, impossible for any other method. Being in liquid state on application, Passive Purple can be applied onto most/any surface (See data sheets for more information) and will find its way into all the unseeable tiny gaps and cracks all buildings will undoubtably have. Like this old pebble dashed façade, any rough, uneven and awkward areas are no longer an issue, our products simply flow into these areas. We also have the fibre reinforced Passive Purple brush, used on this job to prepare the brackets by filling the larger gaps between that of the bracket and the existing wall and also the large penetrating bolts. A huge win and demonstration of the power of liquid products by Intelligent Membranes.

OverviewCryfield Village, Warwick University, is a state-of-the-art student accommodation development, replacing outdated residences. Built as a series of townhouse-style apartments and studios, the village will eventually house around 830 residents. The new residences are fitted with photovoltaic panels that convert the sun's energy to electricity, supporting the University's aim to reach net zero carbon by 2030. The designers were keen to make a statement with the village properties and to impart a warm and welcoming feeling for the first year students.The SolutionWithin our “Collections” we have a number of terracotta-coloured finishes. The client particularly liked the tones and texture of ‘Cracked Clay’ from our Evolution range, and the 25 year guarantee for gloss, colour and adhesion was an important consideration. As do all our powders, Cracked Clay meets the Reaction to Fire Standards for fire classification A2-s1,d0, suitable for use on multi-storey residential buildings.We coated 900 m2 of aluminium cassette panels for the façade and roof of the phase 1 property which will house around 383 first year students. .The appealing, warm and eye-catching finish is (we think) a marked improvement on the existing building as one of these images shows.Benefits of Using PowdertechPowdertech has over 30 years’ experience in professional architectural powder coatingColour, tone and texture are our passion and we have the expertise to develop bespoke finishes.The Evolution range has a 25 year guarantee for gloss, colour and adhesion.Powdertech's rigorous pre-treatment system will help to keep the panelling free from corrosion for up to 40-years.Powdertech’s flexible plant can coat a wide variety of shapes and sizes of architectural metal work and fabrications.

This asbestos cement roof in Norwich was soiled with moss and lichen covering the surface and had leaks in several places. Liquasil's BBA Approved Asbestoseal 20 asbestos roof coating was specified to extend the life of the roof and provide an aesthetically pleasing finish. The Contractor, ID Asbestos Ltd, carried out the works safely and efficiently.After being steam cleaned, the metal fixings were treated with our SWT Corrosion Primer and all fixings and cracks were sealer with Non-Sag Sealer. The whole roof was then coated with Asbestoseal 20 to provide a sleek new finish to the old asbestos sheets.Liquasil's Latent Defects Insurance Guarantee was provided upon completion.