30/08/2026
🏠 HIGH-LEVEL TOWNHOUSE RESTORATION | FISHCROSS, ALLOA 🏠
Another cracking restoration completed by CG Stone Solutions Scotland — and this one certainly wasn’t your everyday access job! 👷♂️
Last week we spent three days restoring the high-level peak section of this townhouse in Fishcross, Alloa, after our client contacted us with concerns about pieces of mortar falling from height onto the decking and slabbed areas below.
With the deterioration happening right at the top of the property, getting a proper look at what was going on wasn’t straightforward.
🚁 FIRST STEP — DRONE INSPECTION
Rather than guessing from ground level, we carried out a high-level drone inspection of the gable, coping stones, brickwork, leadwork and surrounding roof area.
And it quickly became clear that there was more going on than just a few loose mortar joints…
The joints between the coping stones were badly deteriorated and, in places, completely wide open, allowing rainwater to pe*****te and track behind the masonry.
Over time, this had contributed to deterioration of the mortar joints directly beneath the peak, with sections beginning to crack, loosen and eventually fall from the building.
We also identified:
🔸 Loose and deteriorated masonry around the peak
🔸 Cracked and failed mortar joints
🔸 A badly perished coping stone requiring replacement
🔸 Defective/open coping joints allowing water pe*******on
🔸 Leadwork requiring attention around the coping detail
🔸 A section of rotten timber previously being used by birds for nesting
🔸 Additional defective/slipped roof slates requiring attention
🚧 DIFFICULT ACCESS? NOT A PROBLEM.
One of the biggest difficulties our client had encountered was simply finding someone able to safely access the area and quote for the repairs.
At CG Stone Solutions Scotland, high and awkward access doesn’t necessarily mean thousands of pounds worth of scaffolding.
For this project we utilised our access to a CMC 23-metre tracked spider cherry picker.
These machines are absolutely ideal for properties like this. Their compact tracked design allows them to travel through relatively tight access points before setting up within restricted gardens and working areas.
That gave us safe, controlled access directly to the peak and allowed us to carry out the restoration properly.
🔨 WHAT DID WE DO?
Over the three days we:
✅ Carefully removed loose and unstable masonry around the affected peak section
✅ Raked out the failed, cracked and deteriorated mortar joints
✅ Thoroughly cleaned and prepared the masonry
✅ Re-bedded and reinstated affected brickwork/masonry
✅ Repointed the peak using a compatible lime mortar
✅ Opened, cleaned and fully repointed the defective joints between the coping stones
✅ Removed and replaced the badly deteriorated coping stone
✅ Corrected the affected leadwork/coping detail to improve weather resistance
✅ Removed the rotten timber infill where birds had previously been nesting
✅ Prepared the opening and built it back up in masonry, permanently closing the void
✅ Carried out necessary repairs/replacement to defective roof slates
✅ Finished the new pointing with a traditional brushed finish
✅ Fully cleaned the working area and removed debris on completion
The result is a peak that doesn’t just look considerably better — the underlying defects responsible for the deterioration have actually been addressed.
🧱 DON’T IGNORE FALLING MORTAR
If you’re finding pieces of mortar, stone or masonry around the bottom of your property, particularly underneath high-level gables, chimneys or coping stones, it’s worth having it investigated.
What looks like a small amount of pointing from ground level can sometimes be the first indication of open coping joints, water ingress or deteriorating masonry higher up the building.
And you don’t necessarily need scaffolding erected just to find out what’s happening.
We can provide drone inspections and high-level access solutions, allowing us to inspect areas that are otherwise extremely difficult to reach.
🏴 CG STONE SOLUTIONS SCOTLAND
We undertake:
Stonework Restoration • Traditional Lime Repointing • Lithomex Repairs • Stone Replacement • Chimney Repairs • Coping Stone Repairs • Brickwork Repairs • High-Level Masonry • Drone Inspections • Exterior Cleaning • Roof & Gutter Maintenance • Difficult Access Projects
From a small isolated repair to a full traditional property restoration, get in touch and we’ll be happy to have a look.
📞 07871 861138
📧 [email protected]
📍 Covering Central Scotland and surrounding areas
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CG Stone Solutions Scotland
Traditional Skills. Lasting Results. 🧱🏴
