

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.
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).
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).
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