At Facilities Management Solutions, we provide support for a wide array of challenges that our commercial clients face on their site, from minor repairs to major renovation projects. Recently, we completed some significant wall repairs, which turned out to be a large scale project over a number of weeks, at the office and warehouse site of a key client.
Proactive Maintenance for Long-Term Structural Integrity
Our client has been in their building – which is both a warehouse and an office space – for a long time, and cracks started to appear around the site, leading to obvious concerns for our client.
These wall repairs were identified during our monthly walk-round with this client. At the end of each month, we provide a free survey and ensure that their two sites are safe and operational for the staff. The aim of these visits is to identify potential issues before they become major problems.
After identifying these cracks in the wall, we conducted site surveys with building surveyors and structural engineers to understand the cause. Once detailed reports were submitted and insurers were notified, further detailed intrusive surveys were carried out.
Scope of Works
Once the settling period had been completed, we were given the go-ahead to complete the repairs.
There were works to be completed in ten different locations around this dual-purpose site, of varying severity and prominence. Eight of these were internal wall repairs on the plaster inside the office areas of the building, and there were two additional sections, one in their warehouse, and another on a boundary wall. Some of them were minor hairline cracks, while others were quite significant.
Due to the different areas we were working in across the site, we were very conscious of planning the project to reduce the disruption to the site’s staff. To achieve this, we separated out sections of the building, and planned the overall project in four distinct phases – one external phase, two areas of the ground floor and then the first floor.
With all of this agreed and scheduled with the client, to minimise the disruptions to their staff, we were able to get to work.
Wall Repairs Process
To ensure that the cracks are repaired effectively and achieve the best finish possible, we had to undergo a specific process on each of the affected sections of wall:
- Cut back the plaster – leaving at least 75mm on either side of the crack on major repairs
- Fit an Expamet Mesh – was installed to reinforce the repaired areas, reducing the likelihood of recurring cracks and ensuring long-term stability.
- Replaster the wall
- Prep for redecoration – an emulsion paint mist coat is applied directly to the newly re-plastered section of wall, ahead of redecoration.
Once this process is complete, we can assure our client that not only is the brickwork repaired, but that the affected section of the wall is now less likely to fail again.
Having repaired the walls, we then set about fully redecorating all areas where work had taken place.
Before and After
As you can see, this was quite the transformation! These prominent cracks were not only unsightly but also raised concerns about the structural integrity of the building. Our client was very impressed with the results.
Additional Works
In addition to the main repairs, in the office space, we also tended to the cracked blocks in the front of the warehouse. There was some missing brickwork, which we had to infill, in addition to several cracked blocks which we completely replaced. If replacement wasn’t possible, we raked out and pointed and ensured that the surface was solid.
The external boundary wall had also seen cracks in the mortar developing, and so we had to rake out and repoint a fairly large area of the wall to match the existing mortar.
A Satisfied Client
At Facilities Management Solutions, a project isn’t complete until our client is completely satisfied. We maintained constant communication throughout each phase of this project, and made sure to update and record progress, so that we were able to keep the client, who is based at a different site, in the loop with every step of the project. We also carried out a weekly progress site meeting with our client to show them how the works were progressing.
After the completion of the works, our client was extremely satisfied, and said:
“This was a complex project which required a high degree of accuracy and coordination across many areas of the business.
The cracks were sited in numerous areas across multiple rooms, both inside and outside of studios and common areas. Works were completed efficiently with minimal disruption. The team were very respectful of those working in or around the areas of concern.
The areas were kept mess free despite this being a very dusty, concrete and plasterboard environment. The job was completed was a fresh coat of paint and as if by magic – the racks were gone!
Communication and regular updates were vital and informative. Special thanks to Dan for holding everything together for us.
We would be very happy to work with this team again on similar facility related projects. Great job again FMS”
For all of your wall repairs or any other renovation requirements, please reach out to Facilities Management Solutions on 01908 034040, to take advantage of a free, no-obligation site survey from one of our fantastic project managers.
