Untitled

Testing

Sandstone entranceway in Sydney.

House Sydney

Sandstone restoration for Botanic gardens in Sydney

As the years progress some of our old public buildings are falling into disrepair due to wear and tear and pollution. So restoration of these sandstone iconic sites is becoming more and more urgent. Especially some of the carvings. But it is very important to use the traditional methods for the restoration and the correct mortars. This often means Sydney sand and lime. There are still some stockpiles of "Bondi Blonde" and "Glebe Gold" available but it is becoming in short supply- and the price is escalating. But restoration work is very important. Sea walls are also showing signs of major damage. We at The Stonemasons pride ourselves on all of these forms of restoration.

A few interesting facts about Sydney sandstone - it was known as yellow block, named after the Hawkesbury River where the coloured rock is mainly found. It was an ideal building material for the early colony of Sydney from about 1790 to 1890. After which it fell out of fashion for some time. Some of the compression tests done on the Sydney sandstone rate it as stronger than some granite. Making it ideal for lintels and archways. It can range in grade from soft stone to seawall quality. I think it is a beautiful material, and I am glad to see it making a resurgence.

Building a wall out of retaining wall blocks is a very old art. Anyone who has lifted stone will know that with every block it needs to be hand picked, shaped and placed, ensuring colour is spread evenly through the wall. Always make sure you vertical joints are no closer than 150mm from each other and once the job is assembled it is time for the finishing touches.

It is an urban myth to think that you can age sandstone by using milk or yoghurt. Whether it be coursed stone, from the Sydney basin or even basalt blocks, it doesn't work. All it does is promote the growth of lichen at a later date. I have been asked many times the most important thing about building stone walls or stone houses. My answer is that one block covers two. Whether it be dry pack, random rubble or coursed restoration work. Oh, and if you do want to age stone - for example in insurance restoration work - just give me a ring. It is also of extreme importance to use the correct mortar mixes for stone laying especially if using Sydney sandstone or on any sandstone restoration work. In the majority of cases very little cement is required. With the emphasis on lime- particularly for tuck pointing and repointing.

Sandstone and working with it is an expensive investment and can add considerable amounts of money to the net worth of your property. Sydney sandstone needs sandstone restoration at times to avoid deterioration.