Granite Wall Restoration
The MudPie Beauty Cottage, Dundrum.
The award-winning salon, MudPie Beauty Cottage in Dundrum, has recently completed a significant restoration project. PMAC is proud to announce that the effort has been highly successful. In this update, we offer a closer look at the practical steps taken to restore the MudPie Beauty Cottage to its former glory, while also ensuring its structural stability for many years to come.
The Initial Concern:
The project began with a thorough inspection by a structural engineer. During this inspection, concerns about the future safety of the MudPie Beauty Cottage wall were raised. Although the cottage itself is not a listed building, it is located in an architecturally protected area. Consequently, the restoration had to be carried out with extra care to preserve its character. Nonetheless, we ensured that every step adhered to the highest standards of restoration practices.
Materials and Process:
We removed 18 tons of materials, including rubble and parts of the deteriorated old wall, to make way for the new construction. The rebuilding process required 21 tons of Wexford sand, and 7 tons of NHL 3.5 lime. These materials were chosen to match the historical composition of the original structure as closely as possible.
Wall A:
This wall was taken down entirely and rebuilt using the salvaged stones that once made up its structure and traditional lime mortar. A new feature, the true wall flashing cap, was added for better protection against water ingress and solar heat.
Wall B:
The main wall received extensive care, with a full repoint and rebuild (using salvaged stone from the original wall) apart from a small section at the base that remained stable and intact.
Wall C:
This wall was completely rebuilt and repointed, integrating a small section of the original wall with a new cap and slate flashing to protect against the elements.
Final Touches:
Our skilled team added the final touches by installing rounded flaunching caps. Additionally, they ensured that the slate flashing beneath was correctly positioned to divert rainwater away from the wall, which helps prevent potential water damage.
Why It Matters:
This restoration project wasn’t solely focused on repairing an old wall; it was also about preserving an important piece of Dundrum’s history. By using traditional techniques and materials, such as the lime mortar mix, we ensured that the cottage not only remains true to its historical roots but is also structurally sound for the future.
The MudPie Beauty Cottage with fully restored walls using traditional methods and materials
Get in touch
Our legacy is quality projects we can be proud of. We value the inputs of our customers, our team and our supply chain in reaching positive outcomes. Health and safety to our people and the public is a priority for us and without compromise.
If you are working on a similar project we would love to hear about it. Dont hesitate to call us or send in the details of your project through our contact page at https://pmac.ie/contact-pmac/ You will also find our FREE downloadable concrete brochure which is a helpful guide.
PMAC is a registered Heritage Contractor and a link to the site can be found below.
https://heritageregistration.ie/heritage-contractors-listing/
