Case Study:Complex Render Cleaning Via Rope Access

Optivo, one of the UK’s largest housing associations with over 45,000 homes across London that provide 90,000 people with a home they can comfortably afford, reached out to us through a recommendation from Stonehealth, the manufacturer of the DOFF cleaning equipment. They wanted us to clean and transform four tall rendered blocks that were covered in algae, dirt and other stubborn matter. Our render cleaning division team, here at Spectrum, were more than happy to take on the challenge. 

The Site 

Located in Hastings, the site consisted of four 20-storey identical rendered blocks that were covered in green algae and hadn’t been cleaned since the buildings were first rendered, which was over 10 years ago. The work involved the use of the DOFF steam cleaning machine,  which was a huge factor in making the transformative results possible. We had a firm deadline of 12 weeks on this project and our skilled operatives were on a mission to overachieve it. 

The height of the four tall tower blocks posed the initial hurdle for our team, so we had to evaluate which access method would be most effective. With minimal disruption and maximum efficiency at the core of our decision-making. The building was home to residents, many of whom worked from home. It was vital we did not disrupt their day-to-life for the duration of the project. This is in fact one of the many reasons clients choose to work with us, we are able to minimise disruption due to our innovative access methods. There wasn’t a scaffold board on site. 

Industry experience was essential in this project. With the absence of a water supply on site, we had to set up our own. We needed a water system that could provide adequate pressure to three DOFF machines. We brought specialist equipment to the site and set up various tanks and pumps to supply sufficient water that provided enough pressure to each individual DOFF machine.

Our teams have had a lot of experience in dealing with this problem on other sites so another problem was swiftly resolved.

Planning

As with any project we take on, the first step included a lot of planning, with pre-planned excursion zones that guided pedestrians away from the ongoing works. We also provided a map of the site and a full-week program which was constantly being updated in real-time and allowed the residents to see which elevations we would be working on each day. 

This allowed our operatives to work efficiently and also ensured that everyone involved was safe. Health and safety precautions were paramount to Optivo, and we had all of each team and process thoroughly checked before any work commenced.

We also had regular liaison meetings and coffee mornings with the residents to keep all parties updated with the plan, the process and the result, ensuring all queries or concerns were answered.

Equipment

Our favoured form of access when working at a height is via rope, as it allows our operatives to move faster, reach and restore every angle of the facade and cause less disruption. This option was carefully reviewed, and we answered all of the questions regarding the health and safety perspectives.

The rendered blocks had no rope access eye bolts in place, so we brought and installed portable anchorage as an A-frame, which allowed this method of access and all of its benefits to still be possible.

The DOFF machine is one of the most powerful tools that we use, as it produces outstanding results every time. The tool works by heating water to a very high temperature of 150 degrees Celsius at nozzle end, which is very hard to achieve, and allows stains, matter and discolouration to be lifted without causing damage to the face of the rendered facade.

The Highlights

Not only did our render cleaning specialists achieve the required results before the deadline, but we had some further stand-out highlights:

Minimal Disruption

We worked alongside the residents to manage the water and minimise any disruption to their day-to-day life. We also used gazebos to reduce any contact with off-spray during the cleaning works.

Our rope access methods also allowed less disruption, as erecting scaffolding would’ve resulted in a louder and more intrusive service. We often find that residents are very averse to scaffolding as it blocks natural sunlight and in some cases poses a security threat, it’s easily climbed and therefore makes homes easier to access.

Not only did we enable less disruption to the pedestrians and residents, but we also ensured that our operatives could work as effectively as possible. At the start of the works, we had a small issue with some seagulls disturbing our team during the works, and we resolved this by having a speaker play hawk sounds on the roof.

Cost-Effective Solution

For many years we have pushed ourselves to come up with unique ways of transforming facades. Our roots have always been in providing specialist access solutions to limit what we believe are unnecessary costs and complications. This project was carried out within time, without the use of scaffolding, cherry pickers or scissor lifts. Instead, we combined our access methods & patented equipment. This allowed us to carry out cleaning from the safety of the ground up to 18 metres elevations above that height were transformed by our specialist abseil rope access teams. This provided our client with significant cost savings. 

Seamless Results

Part of the meticulous preparation meant outlining exclusion zones and pedestrian barriers and signage that would guide them away from direct contact with our work.

Working alongside great contract managers from Optivo hugely helped ensure that all issues were resolved quickly and as effectively as possible.

In Full & On Time

We pride ourselves on meeting deadlines, it is important to us that the work gets completed in full and on time with all parties signing off. Whenever a challenge presented itself we worked as a team to ensure it was resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible. Our job lead said that ‘due to pre-planning, and our innovative access solutions, this restoration project was a complete success and I’m beyond proud of our attentive team who seamlessly overcame every hurdle.’

Custom Designed Solutions

We donated £200 to two of the tower blocks, one for their Christmas party and the other for their bingo account, as a way of thanking everyone for cooperation in the block during the cleaning works.

Overcoming challenges and providing seamless and stress-free results is something that we take great pride in doing. Our team made every effort to work alongside each party involved, ensuring the smoothest possible restoration service.

Get in Touch

This project was a complete success, the rendered towers are completely restored and looking as good as new. Our IRATA certification, which allowed rope access to be possible, granted significant cost-effective benefits to our client.

Browse our Service Wheel to find out all of the other services that we offer. Our team is more than happy to help you with any of your questions. Send an email to info@spectrumss.co.uk or give us a call at 0203 551 6206 to speak to an advisor today.