As part of the quinquennial repairs, Paye were employed to carry out a refurbishment of the existing facades including cleaning of stone and bronze work, full redecoration and isolated stonework repairs where required.

As a common procedure, following erection of the scaffolding and completion of the initial base clean, Paye carried out a full façade survey and noted any defects including those not within the contract scope.

It was found that numerous areas of the Portland stone cornice was experiencing substantial fracturing which, following opening up of the areas, proved to be caused by corroding steel from the frame of the building, more commonly known as ‘Regent Street disease.’

Paye stonemasons completed two types of repair to the cornice,

• Stone indents – carefully cutting out defective sections of stonework, wire brushing and treating the corroding steel and inserting a new piece of Portland stone to closely match, fixed with stainless steel dowels.
• In situ mortar repairs – carefully cutting out defective sections of stonework, wire brushing and treating the corroding steel and forming repairs in situ with lime-based mortar. Deeper mortar requires stainless steel armatures to provide a ‘key’.

The shops and offices remainder open and operational throughout the contract.