Home Case Histories Examples of our work Hartlebury Castle

Hartlebury Castle

The library was built in 1782 by Richard Hurd, who was Bishop of Worcester for 27 years. Shropshire architect James Smith built the library over the 17th century Long Gallery in the Castle below. The plaster ceiling is by James Bromfield, of Shrewsbury.

Beautifully detailed cornice was separating from the lath due to deflection in the beam on which it applied. Much of the plasterwork to the ceilings was cracked and moving, due mainly to the inferior quality of the ceiling joists. Close examination of the timbers above the library revealed that many of them were re-used timbers even when the library was built, and had cracked and sagged over the years.

The ceiling of the Hurd Library has developed worrying cracks in the magnificent ornate plaster ceilings and cornices - we are carrying out investigations into the cause, and undertaking appropriate remedial work

In the recent past (probably the early 1970's, water damage required ceiling repairs, which were carried out using modern plasterboard and plaster finish. Here, holes have been drilled through the ceiling to insert the borescope - this allows us to examine the condition of the beams holding the ceiling, and check whether the lath has separated from them. In this case, both beams and lath appear to be sound, and the deflection seen in the ceiling is probably due to the age of the beams, the weight of the ceiling, and weight of the flat lead roof above..

The outline on the ceiling shows the area of modern plasterboard - ripples on the surface are a tell-tale sign of modern trowel finish using gypsum based plaster. Luckily these repairs have hardly touched the stucco pattern, which will be relatively easy to restore.. Deflection of the beam above Jim's head can be clearly seen.

Movement in the beam can be clearly seen here, together with the effect of repairs made in the past which were not very expertly done. The columns are not load bearing, and are themselves works of art - lath applied to a timber frame, and lime plastered, with a painted finish. the detail and quality of the plaster work in these is superb.

The project has now been completed. When the broken section of plaster was removed, it revealed sloppy workmanship dating to 1782 when the plasterwork was applied. The plaster had no horsehair in it, making it brittle and easily broken. The first stage of repair was to remove the damaged section and examine the lath it was formerly attached to:

Old lath revealed after cutting away plaster. Note old nails holding lath to beam which have rotted away, allowing lath to detach.

Close up, showing thickness of undercoat plaster and pale coloured topcoats

New lath applied over the old to avoid disturbing plaster still attached to it further along beam.

Close up, showing lath firmly nailed to counter lath, and ready for scratch coat of plaster to be applied.

Scratch coat of lime plaster with horsehair applied to lath. This is left for a few days to cure before applying second coat.

Another view of scratch coat ready for second coating.

The final product, allowed to dry out for a few weeks before painting

Georgian Mansion Tugford Church

Latest News

Pete's on BBC Radio 4 now!

Pete recently did an interview on BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours - which investigated a case history of failed cavity wall insulation.

Guidance concerning Energy Efficiency in Historic Buildings

This is the English Heritage Guidance document that covers almost all the issues I cover in this site.

An Irish client and his magnificent restoration blog

Our client, John, wanted help with this restoration - it led to this great blog.

Rising damp is a myth, says former RICS chief

Stephen Boniface, former chairman of the construction arm of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS ), has told the institute’s 40,000 members that ‘true...

It's Condensation Season!

The phone is running off the hook with calls about condensation. Find out how to solve your issues.

About Us

The Heritage House brand is Petes brainchild. He lives in a beautiful old farmhouse in Shropshire He's worked all over the world on old buildings, and has a strong background in geochemistry. He is passionate about ensuring the 'Rising Damp' myth is firmly buried. Pete has an all consuming project to re-open a Victorian lead mine in the Northern Pennines - digging out and exploring miles of abandoned tunnels in the search for crystal lined cavities...

This website is for information only. If you want or need a building survey, a damp survey or advice, you need to follow the links to our sister company Heritage House Surveys, which is part of Heritage House Group Ltd.

Disclaimer

Note! The opinions expressed on this website are often Pete's. They are frequently strong, unambiguous, and based on extensive experience of what goes on out there. Pete does not like to see the buying public being conned, defrauded, duped, sold a lemon, given bad or misleading advice, or crap surveys using equipment that is unsuited for the job. If you don't like what is written here - don't threaten us - clean your act up.

And if you are a part of the negligent management team of RICS - just go away and stop harassing me for pointing out your corporate failings - just grow up.

Hartlebury Castle

Case Histories

Heritage House Shop

Hot lime putty

Hot lime mortar - 2 Kg Tub

Book: The Warm Dry Home