Case Study:Revitalising Soho's Facade: Innovative Cladding Restoration without Scaffolding

Spectrum offers a vast range of specialist external building maintenance services, with the benefit of using highly skilled IRATA-trained abseilers, avoiding all the distress of erecting scaffolding.

The façade of the building is important not only for its longevity but also for its value, as a dirty and damaged façade will lower the property's worth. As time goes by, if the façade is not taken care of, the repairs and restorations become more expensive and complex.

The Project

This building is in the heart of Soho and was in desperate need of cladding cleaning. Spectrum was able to quote for Cladding Restoration via Rope Access, fulfilling the client's needs. Before the quote was provided, a site visit was carried out. It was important for us to understand the level of dirt and, most importantly, how to access the building.

This project was completed by several IRATA-trained abseilers on the higher elevations and was assisted by one ground team of cladding restoration specialists that worked on the lower sections of the building, including the basement. This project was completed in 2 weeks as planned. The cleaning was carried out using a cladding restoration product that helped restore the vibrancy to the cladding, along with specialist buffing machines.

The Site

Located in central London, where many streets are one-way and narrow, minimal disruption was a must for our client. Luckily, Spectrum has a façade restoration specialist team that covers a full spectrum of access methods, including IRATA-certified abseilers.

After the site visit, the client advised that they were waiting for other contractors to provide their quotes. Initially, the client awarded the work to another contractor. However, after a few weeks, the client contacted Spectrum, advising that they had decided to proceed with Spectrum, as things didn’t work out with the previous contractor.

We were more than happy to hear from the client, and after checking our May diary, we promptly suggested some dates to start the cladding cleaning restoration.

The date was set, but it was important that Spectrum carry out sample cleaning before the work commenced to ensure the client was happy with the benchmark and quality. Therefore, two weeks before the start date, Spectrum completed the first sample successfully. Despite this first sample being successful, Spectrum decided to carry out a second sample using a different product to ensure the best solution was being offered to the client. Both samples were carried out at no additional charge to the client. Spectrum had a very clear plan of work to follow to accomplish the best result possible.

We faced some access challenges on the curved areas of the cladding. We had to think outside the box to rig our ropes safely under IRATA guidelines so these areas could be cleaned safely and to the same standard as the rest of the building.v

Custom Solutions

Our specialist cladding cleaning and restoration teams, including the ground floor team and rope access team, were committed to providing the best possible result and restoring the original colour and shine to the cladding panels using specialist products and methods.

After two site visits, we agreed on the specialist metal restoration product that offered better results to the client. To achieve these results, we used a buffing machine that helped polish the metalwork, reestablishing the vibrance and colour in the cladding.

All materials and access were included in the cost. Without the need to use scaffolding, we saved not only money for our client but also time and avoided the headaches that road and sidewalk disruptions would cause.

Providing  Results - No Matter The Challenge

The cladding cleaning restoration was a success. After we provided the completion report, the client said, “You have done a very good job in cleaning the cladding on this building.” We passed on the feedback to the teams on site, and they couldn’t feel prouder of the result.

Spectrum offers more than twenty services across the UK. Our team is more than happy to help you with any of your questions.

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Send an email to info@spectrumss.co.uk or give us a call at 0203 551 6206 to speak to an advisor today.