BCM Steeplejacks – Scotland

Author: BCM Steeplejacks

  • Installation of permanent ladder and louvre windows mesh

    Installation of permanent ladder and louvre windows mesh

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    This page shows a brand new installation of a permanent ladder to give access up inside a steeple, and galvanised mesh to prevent birds getting in to the building (as they were previously).

    Looking up the ladder from the base.

    Looking down – about halfway up.

    Looking down from the top.

    Sheet of 1 inch x 1 inch square 12 gauge galvanised mesh fitted to one of the eight louvre windows.

    This shot shows a few of the new mesh sheets.

  • Hydraulic lime skews on a Highland Castle

    Hydraulic lime skews on a Highland Castle

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    These first two shots show natural hydraulic lime mortar being applied on top of a slurry mix designed to increase and retain adhesion.

    These 2 shots show the completed skew – still moist and beginning the curing process.

    Skew now hessian covered. The curing process takes a long time. Lime reaches full strength over an extended period of time, but the first three days are the most critical and it’s during this period that we make sure the work stays protected. The point of the hessian is twofold – it’s there to: protect the mortar from the weather, and (importantly) prevent it losing moisture too quickly.

  • Round tower steeplejack scaffold

    Round tower steeplejack scaffold

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    This scaffold was built for use by a stonemasonry firm.

    This picture was taken during the scaffold removal phase.

  • Working on a Highland Castle in the sun

    Working on a Highland Castle in the sun

  • Hydraulic lime mortar pointing

    Hydraulic lime mortar pointing

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    Brand new hydraulic lime pointing. The spire was raked out before we pointed it (the existing cement mortar was removed).

    We also pointed the inside of the spire, as it was extremely open. The wind and rain were blowing straight through the wide open joints on the west facing elevation.

    Click on the picture to make it bigger, then count about 2 to 3 rungs up from the base of the ladder, and in that approximate area, behind the ladder, you’ll see sunlight coming through the wall at two different places. It was like this all over the place but the angle of this picture does not show all the gaps.

    This picture was taken high up inside. As you can see the daylight is shining through this open joint.

    These pictures show how it looked once it had been pointed.

  • Spire stabilisation and lime pointing

    Spire stabilisation and lime pointing

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    This 2015 job involved stabilisation of the head of the spire followed by full rake out and repointing.

    We also carried out more minor tasks like painting the finial and fitting mesh to louvre windows to prevent birds getting in and making a mess of the inside.

    We fitted four large and strong copper cramps to stabilise the head of the spire. This was the clients favoured approach as the Church could not afford a full rebuild. This repair will keep the spire stable for a great many years to come (it will see all of us out).

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  • Louvre painting

    Louvre painting

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    The 3 pictures below show louvre windows we recently painted.

    We used, as always, an extremely high quality and expensive timber preserving paint. We continue to specify the stuff in spite of its cost, as it lasts so long and looks so good.

    This picture was taken just after application of the 2nd coat (paint still wet).

  • General Assembly banners

    General Assembly banners

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    For a number of years we have erected the banners for the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly at their HQ on Edinburgh’s Mound.

  • Spire slate patching

    Spire slate patching

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    Just a few shots showing a small slate patching job on a slated spire in Perthshire, Scotland.

    The final shot shows the nuisance factor of having a smartphone at work – too many emails that have to be answered.

Contact Details

BCM Steeplejacks Ltd
21 St. Dunstans Park
Melrose
Roxburghshire
TD6 9LF

01896 820 404
07779 947 918

Click here to email us