ArnoldLayne wrote: Well , without boring everyone into a stupor, a lot of problems concerning the conservation of ancient buildings, lie in the materials used over the years of so called conservation. Modern materials instead of traditional ones leave the buildings unable to move and breath (ie cement based mortar/renders used instead of lime based materials) hence masonry cracks and splits.
Masonry tip No 1..... mortar seperates and holds apart the bricks/masonry, not stick them together and so should be "weaker" than the masonry
The problems with Tamworth Castle seem to lie much deeper, however and originate deep in its foundations. Its all too common to see such "too little ,too late"
Ok you can wake up now, back to the fun :wah:
Lesson 2 tomorrow
Question for you.... if you make cement with salt water is your structure more liable to derteriorate quickly as in the salt will promote rust on things like the rebar? (From the inside out perhaps) Serious question really.