All Saints Church, Burton-in-Lonsdale

Client

John Cowards Architects

Duration

3 days

Location

Burton in Lonsdale

Sector

Heritage

Our client needed help with water ingress that had been identified in the steeple timbers of All Saints Church, Burton-in-Lonsdale.

The brief

John Coward Architects (JCA) and the patrons of All Saints Church required help to stop water ingress in the church steeple which had already caused some rot.

The building

All Saints Church is a heritage building completed in 1870. The tall broach spire is visible from miles around, and is considered an important landmark. Designed in the Early English architectural style, the building is constructed of sandstone with a slate roof. The steeple has three components.

The church has one of only three shingle steeples in the UK. In roofing terms, shingles are strips laid in an overlapping style.

The work

Orb Rope Access specialises in working at height on heritage sites and listed buildings. We work with sensitivity and great care to protect the heritage buildings we work on.

On All Saints Church we installed Masterform flashing on two elevations: the steeple roof and the sandstone façade intersection. Flashing is thin material used to prevent water penetration. Masterform is a polymer product that is ideal for flashing. It is a weathering material that is lead-free, malleable and durable.

Masterform soakers were also installed on two hip ridges. We put soakers between each line of slates to facilitate the movement of water toward the gutter and therefore minimise the risk of leaks. Hip ridges are the highest point of any roof slope, with the most exposure to challenging weather conditions. It also means they are the most difficult sections to reach.

To protect the historic building we needed to rig around the church and through the shingles. We also faced time constraints due to the weather. This was delicate conservation work on a high profile heritage project.

Benefits to the client

Using our expertise in working on heritage and listed buildings, we were able to advise the client on the best approach for the work. This was a project that required a multi-skilled team. By using rope access techniques, combined with our experience of working on heritage buildings, we protected the integrity of the building and completed the work quickly and efficiently.

Because of the nature of the building, access was challenging. Rope access was the most efficient and cost-effective way of accessing the hip ridges, particularly in view of the exposure to the elements.

Benefits to people who use the building

Rope access doesn’t require unsightly scaffolding that spoils the aesthetics of beautiful heritage buildings like All Saints Church. There is also no need for MEWPs (mobile elevating work platforms) that need to be cordoned off or enforce the closure of community sites.

A community church is an important focal point for local people. To their benefit, rope access techniques don’t cause disruption or impact how visitors use the site.

"Mike Darwell at John Coward Architects asked us to meet us at St Oswalds to inspect the outside of the church spire. Once onsite the job grew arms and legs. We had to do lots of intricate rigging and climbing about just to access the required areas just below the spire and on the HIP shingles. We fitted a lead skirt and a water run off beneath the HIP Ridge shingles. This project required us to think outside the box and combine many different access techniques."

Matt Lavery

DIRECTOR, ORB ROPE ACCESS

What our clients say about us

Absolutely delighted with the outcome of the works, can't praise ORB highly enough for the all elements of the project, will certainly be using them again on any future projects.

The gutters on our building had not been cleaned for some years. In places they were choked with vegetation and this was causing water ingress into the building whenever we had heavy rain. Access, because of height was an issue. Orb Rope did a fantastic job and resolved the water ingress problem which had become a big concern. The technicians came when they said they would, carried out the work they said they would and left the area clean and tidy. The work was done promptly. We found the technicians knowledgeable and helpful. We would have no hesitation in recommending your company.

“Orb Rope Access have run several projects at Scarisbrick Hall. We have found them to be efficient, reliable and have completed their works on time and on budget. We would have no hesitation in recommending them. Well done Matt and team, keep up the good work.”

" I have worked with Matt and Orb since 2010, on many various tasks within the stadium and training ground, this includes floodlight painting and lamp changes, high level window cleaning, maintenance and repairs to various roofs to include tin, plastic and fiberglass roofs. The fitting of new high level signage and banners, and many other jobs. They helped to develop our rescue plan for our own engineers when working on the floodlights. They are always available when we have had storm damage, working well into the night to complete repairs. I would not hesitate to recommend them to any other company for any type of rope work/high level maintenance, and have done on several occasions. "

"Orb Rope Access have completed numerous projects at St Johns for the past 5 years; Including the reseal of the famous St Johns Beacon! I find them professional, reliable, and very financially competitive. They are a highly recommended contractor of mine and a joy to work with."

"Orb Rope Access were introduced to us as we required a high-level structural inspection solution. Given the nature of the project we needed a service partner who could provide excellent levels of safety coupled with knowledge and capability in delivering the standards we required. Orb didn’t fail to impress, there attention to detail and professionalism throughout the process was second to none."

"I have had the pleasure of working with Orb rope access on a few roofing projects now, and have to say that despite the difficult nature of the work that they do in terms of access they also have an ability to transfer that expertise and attention to detail to the work carried out on site. Top work from a top company!"

"Inleaf specialise in the design, installation and maintenance of living walls throughout the UK. Living walls, by their nature, often require specialist access for installation and maintenance and so we commonly work with Orb Rope Access to provide specialist advice and assistance with projects that require abseiling access. Orb Rope Access have always been friendly, straightforward and professional to deal with. We've found them to be 100% reliable and excellent at working closely with our team when on site, either following specific instructions or using their own initiative when required."

This is the second time we have used Orb for high-level work. We are very satisfied with the job done. The team arrived on site at exactly on time, kept me informed of progress and provided photographs of the completed work for my records. I would have no hesitation in using the company for future work.

Here at Liverpool Cathedral , as you can guess there is a challenge to gain access to problems at height. We have used the services of ORB for several years now and they provide us with a professional and safe service which is beyond our means.

Before ORB came to us for roof work it was very difficult to find anyone who would go on the roof. Scaffolding is very expensive. The men who come to carry out the work are polite and a pleasure to deal with and St Oswald's are so grateful for their expertise.

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Get In Touch

At Orb Rope Access we are very proud to be an IRATA Member Company and hold Safe Contractor status. If you are looking for a trusted partner to assist with projects that require working at height or confined space, please get in touch for a no-obligation quote or by calling 0781 333 9064.