Emma Simpson
Emma Simpson is a brick conservator and Principal of Simpson Brickwork Conservation Ltd.
Conservation and Repair of Brick and Flint Masonry with Emma Simpson and Lynn Mathias
Ref: B3D35434
Location:
West Dean
£898
About this course
Gain a practical understanding and experience of repair and conservation methods for historic brick and flint work. Through demonstrations, lectures, and practical exercises you will learn condition assessment, appropriate repair materials and techniques, and how to apply these to historic brick and flint structures.
This course provides an understanding of, and basic skills in, the conservation and repair of traditional brick and flint masonry. You will start by learning about the nature and characteristics of materials, through study of a range of brick and flint buildings, which illustrate methods of construction, common failures, and decay processes. Common problems, including poor working practices, will be identified and solutions investigated. Methods of repair, joint treatments, and brickwork cleaning, gauged brick and flint work will be discussed and you will be able to practise repair and treatments in practical sessions.
By the end of the course, you will have a firm appreciation of the importance and characteristics of brick and flint as masonry materials. You will know how to assess the condition of walls, prepare the repair schedule and specification, and carry out the correct remedial work to a high standard. A tour of the brick and flint buildings on the college campus is included.
This course provides an understanding of, and basic skills in, the conservation and repair of traditional brick and flint masonry. You will start by learning about the nature and characteristics of materials, through study of a range of brick and flint buildings, which illustrate methods of construction, common failures, and decay processes. Common problems, including poor working practices, will be identified and solutions investigated. Methods of repair, joint treatments, and brickwork cleaning, gauged brick and flint work will be discussed and you will be able to practise repair and treatments in practical sessions.
By the end of the course, you will have a firm appreciation of the importance and characteristics of brick and flint as masonry materials. You will know how to assess the condition of walls, prepare the repair schedule and specification, and carry out the correct remedial work to a high standard. A tour of the brick and flint buildings on the college campus is included.
Course Description
Day 1
6.45pm - Welcome talk
8pm - 8.30pm - Introduction. Scope and compass of course. Getting to know the tutors and students
8.30pm - 9.15pm- Lecture. Introduction to the structural and decorative use of brick and flint in the United Kingdom over 2,000 years
Day 2
9am - Lecture. Nature and characteristics of brick. Traditional manufacture. Regional brick types
Lecture. Free standing brick walls. Survey; causes of deterioration, common defects. Specification and repair techniques. Criteria for repair vs replacement required and appropriate scope of conservation and repair work. Remedial work to mortar joints.
Demonstration and practical work. Introduction to Ruinette and Health and Safety issues. Condition survey and brick recording exercise – use of pro-forma brick recording forms
Demonstration and practical work. Complete survey and recording exercise – using pro-forma brick recording forms and elevation photos.
Begin brickwork repair: cutting out defective (decayed) joints; cutting out and piecing in damaged/decayed bricks; appropriate tools for various repair methods
3.30pm - 5.30pm- Visit- Brick and flint buildings on site at West Dean
Day 3
9am - Workshop lecture and demonstration. Examination and discussion of examples of historic bricks and brickwork mortars of various periods; visual and physical characteristics;
nature and characteristics of mortar used in brick and flint masonry. Bedding, pointing and mortar repairs. Lime and aggregate types and properties. Mortar analysis, design, preparation, curing and aftercare.
Demonstration and practical work. Brief introduction to Flint; ‘Hot lime’ mixes, preparation of mortars by slaking and mixing quicklime together with aggregates; characteristics of mortars prepared using this method.
Lecture. Gauged Brickwork – including cutting and rubbing bricks; setting out chimneys, arches.
Demonstration and practical work. Continue exercise – brickwork repair methods; repointing and brick replacement; mortar finishing, curing.
Lecture. Flint as a building stone – use and characteristics. Typical defects; repair methods.
Demonstration and practical work. Flint masonry methods and materials; laying flints; galletting (joints).
Demonstration and practical work. Gauged brickwork. Demonstration of setting out and construction of a brick arch; cutting and rubbing a brick voussoir.
4.30pm- 5.30pm- Walk – Estate Flint and Brickwork. Inspection of Main House (External Façade) and other brick and flintwork.
Day 4
9am - Flint knapping; materials, techniques and styles.
Practical. Continue exercises – joint treatment, brick and flint replacement and building flint facework and galletting.
Lecture. Cleaning brickwork. Pre-cleaning Survey and analysis; legacy of past cleaning; soiling types; cleaning methods; use of water, mechanical, abrasive and chemical systems; advantages and disadvantages; importance of trials
Practical work. Finish repairs; mortar joints, brick replacement, flint facework
Demonstration and practical work. Gauged brickwork. Complete cutting and rubbing a brick voussoir, placing and constructing a brick arch
Summary/questions
3pm - 3.30pm- Issue of certificates and depart.
Course Materials
Included
Key textbook - Earth, Brick and Terracotta volume in Historic England's Practical Building Conservation series
What students need to bring
Please bring work clothes/overalls and work boots (preferably construction footwear with steel toe caps and soles) for practical sessions, which will take place in the Ruinette workshop and nearby structures. Tools and materials will be provided for practical sessions. However, it would be helpful to bring a tape measure and digital camera.
Participants are welcome to bring samples of historic brick and mortar and photographs from their own conservation projects. An umbrella and torch may be useful for short walks across the college campus.
Timetable
Day 1
6.45pm - Welcome talk
8pm - 8.30pm - Introduction. Scope and compass of course. Getting to know the tutors and students
8.30pm - 9.15pm- Lecture. Introduction to the structural and decorative use of brick and flint in the United Kingdom over 2,000 years
Day 2
9am - Lecture. Nature and characteristics of brick. Traditional manufacture. Regional brick types
Lecture. Free standing brick walls. Survey; causes of deterioration, common defects. Specification and repair techniques. Criteria for repair vs replacement required and appropriate scope of conservation and repair work. Remedial work to mortar joints.
Demonstration and practical work. Introduction to Ruinette and Health and Safety issues. Condition survey and brick recording exercise – use of pro-forma brick recording forms
Demonstration and practical work. Complete survey and recording exercise – using pro-forma brick recording forms and elevation photos.
Begin brickwork repair: cutting out defective (decayed) joints; cutting out and piecing in damaged/decayed bricks; appropriate tools for various repair methods
3.30pm - 5.30pm- Visit- Brick and flint buildings on site at West Dean
Day 3
9am - Workshop lecture and demonstration. Examination and discussion of examples of historic bricks and brickwork mortars of various periods; visual and physical characteristics;
nature and characteristics of mortar used in brick and flint masonry. Bedding, pointing and mortar repairs. Lime and aggregate types and properties. Mortar analysis, design, preparation, curing and aftercare.
Demonstration and practical work. Brief introduction to Flint; ‘Hot lime’ mixes, preparation of mortars by slaking and mixing quicklime together with aggregates; characteristics of mortars prepared using this method.
Lecture. Gauged Brickwork – including cutting and rubbing bricks; setting out chimneys, arches.
Demonstration and practical work. Continue exercise – brickwork repair methods; repointing and brick replacement; mortar finishing, curing.
Lecture. Flint as a building stone – use and characteristics. Typical defects; repair methods.
Demonstration and practical work. Flint masonry methods and materials; laying flints; galletting (joints).
Demonstration and practical work. Gauged brickwork. Demonstration of setting out and construction of a brick arch; cutting and rubbing a brick voussoir.
4.30pm- 5.30pm- Walk – Estate Flint and Brickwork. Inspection of Main House (External Façade) and other brick and flintwork.
Day 4
9am - Flint knapping; materials, techniques and styles.
Practical. Continue exercises – joint treatment, brick and flint replacement and building flint facework and galletting.
Lecture. Cleaning brickwork. Pre-cleaning Survey and analysis; legacy of past cleaning; soiling types; cleaning methods; use of water, mechanical, abrasive and chemical systems; advantages and disadvantages; importance of trials
Practical work. Finish repairs; mortar joints, brick replacement, flint facework
Demonstration and practical work. Gauged brickwork. Complete cutting and rubbing a brick voussoir, placing and constructing a brick arch
Summary/questions
3pm - 3.30pm- Issue of certificates and depart.
General Information
Tutors
Lynn Mathias
BCM Course Leader - Lynn Mathias is the Principal of Mathias Restoration Ltd and has worked with brick and flint in the conservation sector for over 30 years. He learned many of his skills and techniques from his father while also gaining a City and Guilds qualification.
Accommodation
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
