Façade Repair and Restoration

A period property in Kensington was in need of some careful attention to its front elevation. Years of weathering, previous patch repairs, and some underlying structural wear had left the façade looking tired and, in places, compromised. The client wanted the work carried out sympathetically — restoring the character of the building rather than simply covering up the damage. It was a job that called for a measured, specialist approach, and one we were well placed to take on.

Preparing the Substrate

The first stage was to carefully remove all the loose and cracked render, along with previous patch repairs that had been done over the years. This had to be done methodically, taking the failed material back to a sound substrate without disturbing anything that was still in good order. Rushing this stage is a common mistake on façade work, and one that tends to show up again within a season or two — so we took our time and got it right.

Structural Repairs to Stone Corbels

With the elevation exposed, we turned our attention to the stone corbels, several of which had suffered damage and needed either repair or full replacement. We made good the structural support where required, ensuring the façade was properly underpinned before any cosmetic work went back on. On a period property, getting this stage right is critical — the decorative elements only perform as well as the structure carrying them.

Crack Repairs and Lime-Based Reinstatement

Cracks were cut out and filled properly, and any underlying moisture ingress was treated before new material went on. We reinstated the damaged areas using a suitable lime-based repair mortar, which is essential on older buildings of this type — it allows the fabric to breathe, moves with the building, and works sympathetically with the original materials rather than against them. Cement-based repairs on a façade like this cause more problems than they solve, and it’s one of the areas where cutting corners always catches up with you.

Re-profiling Mouldings and Redecoration

The decorative mouldings were then re-profiled by hand to match the existing detail, preserving the character of the façade and making sure the repairs were invisible once finished. The entire area was primed and redecorated to leave a clean, uniform finish across the whole elevation, pulling the work together so the repairs didn’t read as patches.

The Result

The finished façade looks how it should — smart, sound, and in keeping with the character of the property. The structural issues have been properly resolved, the fabric is breathing as it ought to, and the decorative detail has been preserved rather than lost under layers of filler and paint.

It’s exactly the kind of project we enjoy taking on at JP Building Services — one that calls for traditional skills, proper materials, and the patience to do things the right way. The client is left with a frontage that honours the building’s heritage and will stand up well to the years ahead.