GB2091794A

GB2091794A - Repairing building portions

Info

Publication number: GB2091794A
Application number: GB8200429A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: RAPP RESIN SERVICES Ltd
Current assignee: RAPP RESIN SERVICES Ltd
Priority date: 1981-01-22
Filing date: 1982-01-07
Publication date: 1982-08-04

Abstract

The invention is applicable to the repair of damaged building portions for example, window surrounds, sills, concrete guttering, eaves and the like, including where necessary facing portions such as concrete panels. A rigid sheel 6 of, for example, durable cementitious or glass-reinforced resin is formed to the shape of the portion when undamaged and is temporarily held in place over the damaged portion while a settable adhesive material is forced into the gaps beneath the shell so as to retain it permanently in position when the adhesive material sets. The shell may be preformed from component portions or a number of shell portions may be secured in a continuous series. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cladding building portions The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to the cladding of selected portions of building structures.

It is not uncommon for the appearance of a building to be marred by the visible effects of weathering. Damage may involve, for example, the crumbling of plasterwork or spalling of masonry or concrete and is particularly likely to occur in the region of surrounds, sills, facing panels or wherever water is likely to accumulate.

To repair such damage normally involves the careful removal of all loose material priorto applying new mortar, plaster or the like to the damage surface with an applicator such as a trowel, and shaping the new material to restore the original contour. This is a skilled manual operation and the preparation work involves noise and the formation of dust and debris, which is unpleasant and inconvenient.

The invention provides a method of cladding selected portions of building structures comprising the steps of procuring a rigid shell of durable cementitious or plastics material having an external contour corresponding to the desired contour of said selected portion, temporarily securing said shell in place over the selected portion so as to form a gap or gaps therebetween and injecting into said gap(s) a settable adhesive material in liquid form so as fill said gap(s) and interstices in adjacent surfaces so that, upon setting of the material, the shell is retained permanently in position.

A suitable adhesive material may be selected according to the building materials involved. Examples are synthetic resin/cement mixtures which are readily usable in compression apparatus for injection into small spaces. A suitable shell may be preformed for example from a fibre reinforced synthetic resin, such as glass-fibre.

In cases where large gaps are to be filled, or the original contour of the building portion is to be altered, an insert of suitable infill material may be positioned between the external shell and the building portion to minimise the amount of adhesive material to be injected. A suitable insert may comprise a plastics core, for example, made from high density polystyrene.

Where the building portion to be clad is larger than, say, a window sill, the shell may be formed of shell portions applied successively, or alternatively shell portions may be cut to shape or length and joined together with a sealing compound to form an assembly, for example, to form a cladding for a window surround.

The use of the present invention thus provides an economical method of repair and/or re-contouring of building portions which obviates the need for removal of loose material as this is bonded in place and stabilised by the injected adhesive, provides a strong, integral and weatherproof cladding which may be decorated with cement paint or any suitable applied finish to match existing surfaces if required and gives a more pleasing overall effect than can readily be achieved by a "patching" operation.

Because of the relatively thin section of the shell, there is minimal additional weight loading to the building.

There will now be described examples of a cladding method according to the invention. It will be understood that the description, which is to be read with reference to the drawings, is given by way of example and not byway of limitation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly in section of a window sill treated in accordance with the method of the invention; Figure 2 is section through a sill/wall panel assembly; and Figure 3 is a section through a concrete guttering repaired and re-contoured in accordance with the method of the invention.

A concrete window sill 2 is shown in Figure 1, which has been damaged at 4 by frost. A glass fibre-reinforced cement shell 6 having external contours corresponding to the original contour of the sill 2 is temporarily secured in position by means of fastening bolts 8. The shell will be a tight fit at its upper edge against a window frame 10 and abut its lower edge against a wall 12 and where this is not the case, a mastic may be used as a sealant. A resin/cement mixture is then pumped by a cement injection apparatus (not shown) into the gaps between the shell 6 and the sill 2. Upon setting, the assembly is firm, durable and of good appearance, and is non-combustible, therefore making no contribution to the fire load ofthe building.

Figure 2 shows a similar window sill 14 to that shown in Figure 1 but in addition to damage on the sill itself there is damage to a wall panel 16 below. A shell 18 is therefore used which incorporates a facing panel portion 20, and the resin/cement is pumped in to the gaps 22 and 24. It is advantageous if the shell, incorporates a rain ridge or nib 26 as in this example.

It will be understood that the materials selected in all cases are those which have a co-efficient of expansion compatible with the existing materials.

Figure 3 shows a cantilevered concrete gutter/ eaves unit 28 which had deteriorated at its upper leading edge 30 and had, in use, proved to be too shallow. After a rain rib (former position indicated at 40) has been removed, a shell 42 is temporarily secured in place by a screw fastener 44. This shell 42 incorporates a rain nib 46 and, in order to increase the effective depth of the gutter unit, an insert 48 of high density polystyrene. The insert 48 is preassembled in the shell 44, being received within a re-entrant flange 50. Resin/cement is then injected as in the previous examples to provide a sound repair and re-contouring of the gutter. Grouting is then applied at the region 52 between the flange 50 and the gutter unit 28 to prevent the ingress of water.

It will be understood that end walls are provided as required to any desired length of shell moulding, or in the case of window surrounds, lengths of moulding are sealed together at mitre-joints prior to use in the method according to the invention.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the following

Claims

claims. CLAIMS

1. A method of cladding selected portions of building structures comprising the steps of procuring a rigid shell of durable cementitious or plastics material having an external contour corresponding to the desired contour of said selected portion, temporarily securing said shell in place over the selected portion so as to form a gap or gaps therebetween and injecting into said gap(s) a settable adhesive material in liquid form so as fill said gap(s) and interstices in adjacent surfaces so that, upon setting of the material, the shell is retained permanently in position.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shell is preformed from fibre-reinforced synthetic resin.

3. A method as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the adhesive material is injected under compression.

4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1,2 and 3 wherein the adhesive is a synthetic resin cement mixture.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an insert of suitable infill material is positioned between the external shell and the building portion to minimise the amount of adhesive material to be injected.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the insert is a core of plastics material.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the plastics material is high density polystyrene.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of shell portions are applied successively to a building portion to form a continuous shell.

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a plurality of shell portions are joined together with an adhesive sealing compound to form an assembly comprising said shell to be applied to the building portion.

10. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shell, when permanently retained in position by the set adhesive material, is provided with a decorative coating.

11. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the building portion is a damaged window sill.

12. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the building portion is an elongate gutter/eaves unit.

13. A method of cladding selected portions of building structures, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.