Stripping of the pantiles from the east side of the gig-house roof revealed the structure of the roof.

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Madeleine Payne
5 years ago
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This was done pragmatically with even some finishing by hands, since there were numerous finger marks in the mortar. It was generally left off the trowel with no subsequent knocking back.

1 Estate Office Stable Roof works Stripping of the pantiles from the east side of the gig-house roof revealed the structure of the roof. Riven pine lath was nailed to the rafters between inch square battens to receive the nibs of the tiles. A soft, haired lime plaster was then daubed onto the lath and between the battens. This was done pragmatically with even some finishing by hands, since there were numerous finger marks in the mortar. It was generally left off the trowel with no subsequent knocking back. This would leave a stronger skin to the top of the mortar more likely to resist occasionally or locally penetrating water. Water would run more readily from this lime-rich skin. Tiles were then laid over this. Generally, the lime mortar was sound, although some had been lost in patches. All battens and lath were in a sound condition except immediately below long-term leaks. The repair approach was to replace the lost areas of lime mortar and to skim over the sound areas. The mix was a well-haired sharp sand/putty lime mortar mixed at 5 parts sand to 2 parts matured putty lime. Hair was goat hair.

Removal of the pantiles to the east roof of the stable revealed isolated loss of lath to decay in areas subject to long-term moisture penetration and general degradation of the lime mortar torching.

Small sections of decayed batten were pieced in between rafters wherever these had suffered localised decay.

3 Removal of the pantiles to the east roof of the stable revealed isolated loss of lath to decay in areas subject to long-term moisture penetration and general degradation of the lime mortar torching. Sufficient evidence remained, however, to demonstrate that the pattern of torching had been the same as to the first, gig-house roof. Missing or decayed lath was replaced with new and recycled lath. Small sections of decayed batten were pieced in between rafters wherever these had suffered localised decay. Haired non-hydraulic lime torching was then applied across the top surface of the lath, between the battens, as per originally. Pantiles having been removed and stacked in sequence, these were then reinstated to their original location. Tiles that had decayed or were damaged in ways that compromised their functional purpose were replaced like for like. All minor deflection in the roof

4 structure was left the tiles were hooked back over original battens. The character of the roof was thus retained, but without structural defect.

To the west side of the stable roof, much of the lime mortar torching remained.

5 Because the roof structure has not been stripped and the battens only repaired as necessary, and the tiles stripped and stacked in reverse order, the character of the roof should remain the same after reinstatement, with the movements of time preserved. To the west side of the stable roof, much of the lime mortar torching remained. It had, however, powdered and lost integrity, or gathered in piles. Some 30% of the pantiles to this side of the roof were no longer fit for purpose and were replaced with recycled tiles of similar pattern and age.

6 There had been less decay to the lath than on the other side. oose and odered lime mortar brushed off; small areas of lath renewed, as well as short lengths of batten

7 pantiles laid whilst mortar still wet renewal of lime mortar torching

lath and plastering of the undersides of the rafters.

8 underside of main stable roof note mortar keys. If this roof was to be acceptably and appropriately insulated, sheepswool insulation might be inserted between the rafters before lath and plastering of the undersides of the rafters. This would retain necessary breathability and would tolerate occasional leakage through the roof if this was not absorbed by and then evaporated from the lime mortar torching above. Torching to the gig house roof remained largely sound and intact. Tiles were lifted in areas of obvious disruption only.

roof of the former tackroom. Lath here was renewed and re-torched.

9 Localised disruption and decay of the lath had occurred in areas more vulnerable to water penetration, such as the junction of the gig-house with the higher wall and roof of the former tackroom. Lath here was renewed and re-torched. Similarly over the stable door, tiles were lifted, torching onto sarking board reinstated and the tiles relaid.

10 All lead flashing and joints were checked and made good as necessary. During these works, most timbers rafters, battens and lath were found to be sound except in areas of long-standing leakage in the roof due to broken or dislodged pantiles. Replacement of sections of batten and small areas of lath before renewal or patch-repairing of the full torching was straightforward. A total of 200 new pantiles, recycled from elsewhere, were required to fully reinstate the performance of the roof. All other tiles were sound and were reused. This has allowed the character of the roof to be retained, along with the maximum of historic fabric. Increasingly normal practice in the industry would have been to dispose of all existing tiles, remove all lath and to renew any even slightly decayed rafters with treated softwood of dubious durability, before laying a breathable membrane beneath wholly renewed and levelled battens. New pantiles would be laid above. Part L of the building regulations would have required full insulation to be installed and, in most cases, this would not be breathable or natural. The character and much of the fabric, as well as the original structural pattern of the roof, would thus have been removed.

Observations and suggestions, rehabilitation and re-use of stable building, 12, Back Newton Grove, Chapeltown, Leeds,

Observations and suggestions, rehabilitation and re-use of stable building, 12, Back Newton Grove, Chapeltown, Leeds, 12, Back Newton Grove is a brick-built stable building formerly attached to 12 Newton