At Balmore, as well as offering a wide range of roofing services, our team are also stonework restoration experts and use their highly trained skills to restore and repair all types of stone-built structures, from historic buildings to residential homes.

Stone is seen prominently across Scotland and is highly valued for its aesthetic and symbolic appeal, as well as its durability. However, like other types of masonry, stone is not without its faults and must be regularly inspected and maintained in order to retain its integrity.

In over 30 years of business, we have worked on restoring hundreds of stonework buildings and have come across all manner of defects. While stone can succumb to many different problems, here are the five that our Glasgow roofers most commonly encounter.

1. Salt Crystallisation
Salt crystallisation is a problem that most people will be familiar with and shows itself as a white powder on the surface of stone. Salts in solutions such as acid rain enter the pores of the stonework. As the stone dries out, the salt is deposited at the surface, resulting in the white powder. The powder, though, is not the most harmful aspect; that comes from the crystallisation of the salt, which increases pressure on the stone causing cracks and corrosion.

2. Frost Attack
Frost is a problem for stonework exposed to the elements and regularly gets wet from rain. Where frost is allowed to take hold, it can easily dislodge stones in vulnerable areas, such as at the top of a wall.

3. Metal Expansion
In most stonework structures, iron or steel cramps are used to fix the stone. While this does provide great strength, cramps can be prone to rust which causes them to expand and fractures the stone.

4. Incorrect Mortar
Much like brickwork, stone must be bedded using the correct mortar. In many cases, the mortar used is too strong and does not allow sufficient evaporation. As a result, moisture evaporates through the stone, leaving it at risk of salt defects.

5. Improper Bedding
In order to maximise strength, it is essential that stone be laid in the manner that was originally formed – horizontally. Sadly, usually for aesthetic value, stones are sometimes bedded vertically, making it more vulnerable to damage and at risk of salt defects and frost attack.

If you've noticed any of the above defects on your stonework, visit www.balmore-ltd.co.uk today and find out how we can help.