The steeple also makes the structure stand out from surrounding buildings. This was important for three reasons. Firstly it was believed that the steeple could be used to help people tell the time by noting the position of the sun. Secondly it would house the bells and ensure they were elevated above other buildings so the sound wouldn’t be blocked and would therefore travel further. Finally, the height of the structure meant people would see it so they would know where to go to worship, even if they were new to the area.

Unfortunately the height of the steeples can also cause potential problems. The size means they tower above the rest of the building, leaving them exposed to all weather conditions. It also makes it tricky to monitor wear and tear and carry out repairs. As a result the building materials can get worn and damaged, potentially putting the stability of the whole spire at risk.

Inspecting and repairing church steeples takes a lot of skill and experience. The height and difficulty of accessibility mean that a safe, secure solution is needed. Typically this will be scaffolding but it could also involve abseil or platform access if it is possible. It is crucial to choose the right option for each specific property, accounting for the stability of the structure and maximising safety.

At J Lacey Steeplejacks Contractors we regularly take on church restoration projects, alongside a wide range of other industrial services including masonry repairs, lead work and even repairing weathervanes. No matter what kind of project we are working on, we will work hard to maximise safety for all parties. This can include installing netting to offer protection against falling debris.

If you would like to arrange a professional inspection for a church steeple please contact us. We will provide a clear assessment of the condition and give you recommendations of work we feel is needed to repair and stabilise the structure.

Bird proofing systems can help to tackle the problem, particularly when they are designed to effectively deter birds from landing on the structure. There are a number of options to choose from so you can select the right one for your particular setting. When deciding which type of system to use, it is important that it does not harm the birds or detract from the aesthetics of the property.

One of the best options on the market is Avishock. The system is very discreet so it can be added to any property without risking marring the facade, which means it can be successfully installed on modern and heritage structures alike. It is also incredibly flexible so it can be installed on all manner of facades, including flat and curved surfaces.

Avishock works in a similar way to electric fences for livestock, albeit with a much smaller current. It delivers a small, harmless shock to the birds that touch it in order to deter them from landing, roosting or nesting on a structure. This encourages the birds to adjust their behaviour and keep away from your property.

At J Lacey Steeplejacks Contractors we are proud to offer the market leading Avishock system to property owners across the UK. We can help them to tackle their bird problems whilst also being very careful to protect the aesthetics of the structure. We will install systems in the most discreet manner so they are unobtrusive and don’t spoil the appearance of the property. If you would like further information about the system or want to discuss costs with us, we would be happy to advise you. Please contact us for details.

There are many contributing factors to foundation cracks, including low quality workmanship and material use during construction, the location and age of the premises, and several other natural and sometimes unavoidable issues. There are some areas that are inherently vulnerable to excessive weather conditions, changing temperatures and shaking ground and all buildings are susceptible to wear and tear as the years go on. Concrete can also begin to degrade after exposure to fire, bacterial corrosion and damage from chemicals and force or impact.

It is crucial to use a professional company for all concrete repairs, as it is possible for cracks to appear during the original construction phase which may require specialised repair work. Concrete repair materials dry quickly which can make the process challenging. As professional steeplejacks, we are able to carry out high quality repairs that ensure optimal results.

We can complete all concrete remedial tasks swiftly and effectively. We make use of the finest materials and we can carry out work to the highest possible standards. Once all work is complete, we will inform you when the repaired materials can be used, and our customers can always be assured of the quality of our work.

Our team have vast experience in a wide range of areas from industrial roofing, cleaning and fencing to the installation of bird proofing, debris netting and lightning and surge protection systems. We use safe methods to access all high rise structures and we operate in accordance with every established health and safety standard. If you need any kind of work carrying out on a high structure, please do not hesitate to get in touch and find out how we can provide the ideal service for you.

There were 10,000 churches in the UK at the beginning of the 19th century, but a survey taken in 1872 revealed that a further 3,204 churches had been built by that time. Additionally, 925 existing churches had been rebuilt entirely. The dioceses of England were required to report how many churches had been restored or built at a cost of more than £500. The total cost equates to approximately £1.2 billion in today’s money.

In almost 150 years since the construction and rebuilding of many of the UK’s churches, several have fallen into severe decline. There are currently over 1000 churches in desperate need of restoration. Churches play a crucial role within many communities, and we know the importance of maintaining their condition.

As experienced steeplejacks we are able to offer a safe and high quality church restoration service. We have spent many years at the forefront of the sector and we can access all high rise structures and carry out comprehensive and efficient restoration work.

We use only state of the art materials and equipment and we strictly adhere to all relevant health and safety regulations. On site safety is of paramount importance to us, and we can be trusted to carry out the most professional and reputable work. Our team are able to complete all high rise access projects including weather vane adjustment, flag poles, lead work and full masonry repairs.

Once the roof of a church has been secured, it offers long term security and durability. Churches are used for events and meetings for local schools, groups and charitable organisations. They are multi-functional venues and a stable roof can offer a warm and sheltered environment for over a century.

We are committed to providing carefully devised remedial plans and high quality workmanship to assist the problem of the failing churches throughout the country. We offer a comprehensive and cost-effective service that also includes building services, industrial cleaning, concrete repairs and the installation of lightning protection systems.

Whether falling as storms or as snow, rainwater has a natural acidic quality to it. Even if we ceased all human activates which contribute to it, the natural release of sulphur and nitrogen oxides from forests, volcanoes and the oceans would mean acid rain remained a part of life. While the work to reduce acid rain has been both admirable and essential, we have to accept that this kind of rain is always going to be with us in some form.

It is easy to see when a storm has brought acid rain as we will be left with dirty looking marks or streaks across our windows after a storm passes. While in the majority of cases these windows can be washed and no lasting harm is caused to the glass, the same is not always true of gutters. Traces of acid rain may be left soaking into gutters, causing damage and eroding their normal lifespan.

As part of our industrial services, we can carry out thorough and professional gutter cleaning to combat the damage caused by the presence of acid rain. Our team of roofers and steeplejacks are qualified to use the SkyVac system, the world class gutter cleaning technology which is widely viewed as the very best available. In addition to ensuring all debris and blockages are cleared, our use of SkyVac will significantly limit the damage caused to your gutters by acid rain.

The measures we have taken to reduce man made pollution have been significant and effective. While there is little we can do about stopping natural causes of pollution, our gutter cleaning services can help you ensure the damage is limited.

Urban bird control has become a necessity for many buildings, including warehouses and other industrial and commercial facilities. It is essential to protect professional premises, their contents and the people that work inside them. Pigeons, gulls and sparrows are just a few of the nuisance birds that have become a serious problem in industrial settings, and pigeons can be a particularly big problem as they tend to mate for life and will not readily vacate a nest.

Pest birds can also cause substantial problems for food establishments such as restaurants, cafes and takeaways. They have incredible vision and are able to distinguish between ultraviolet and infrared in the UV spectrum. They can easily identify food and heat, which will of course draw them to any place where food preparation is going on.

When birds identify a food source they will build a nest and begin to leave droppings. Their excrement causes contamination, spreads germs and leads to a greater insect presence. The major issue with their faeces is the acidic content as it stains roofs and leads to surface deterioration. Once this occurs it can cause a whole new set of problems. Furthermore, their droppings and feathers can get trapped in chimneys and ventilation shafts leading to the risk of fire and the spread of disease.

If you need help to alleviate this issue, we can offer you high quality bird proofing solutions. You can select from netting, bird spikes and electronic systems that have been specially designed to deal with the destructive presence of birds. Our quality Avishock system offers harmless bird management and determent and an effective solution to the problem of nesting birds on, around and inside buildings.

The two biggest threats presented by thunderstorms are flash floods and lightning, and as they depend on moisture and warmth, it stands to reason that they will occur more in the warmer seasons. The higher humidity and warmer temperatures together create moist air that rises and results in a thunderstorm.

Clouds can be seen as giant generators. They are filled with millions of ice particles and water droplets. Evaporation produces droplets that collide with other moisture, knocks off electrons and creates a charge separation. The electrons collect at the base of the cloud and provide it with a negative charge and the rising moisture without an electron carries a positive charge to the top.

The rising moisture freezes at this elevated point, and the unfrozen droplets become positively charged. The charge separation has an electric field associated with it, and just like the cloud, it is negative in the lower region and positive at the top. As the collisions and freezing continue, the electric field becomes more intense and surface electrons are sent deeper into the earth by the negative charge at the lower portion of the cloud. As electrons are repelled it causes the surface of the earth to acquire a strong positive charge. The electric field then creates a conductive path through the air and results in lightning.

Spring and summer are just around the corner, so now is widely considered the best time to equip vulnerable buildings with lightning protection systems. We can help our clients to keep their properties, inhabitants and electrical equipment safe by installing state of the art lightning and surge protection solutions. We can advise you on all aspects of protection and recommend the best systems for your specific needs.

The survey reflects the deep respect and affection that people have for the churches in the UK. These buildings are significant not only to people with religious beliefs, but to everyone in the community. They are the sites of some of the most important events in our lives, including Christenings, marriages and funerals, and are places where people come together and are unified. Besides this, they are often also beautiful and historically significant examples of architecture which have stood for many decades, if not centuries.

However, due to age, many of them have unfortunately fallen into disrepair, and in some cases this has rendered them unsafe to use. In these instances, professional restoration can reverse the damage and help to preserve these important buildings for future generations. We completely understand the significant role that churches play in their local communities, and we strive to ensure that they can continue by providing professional and skilled church restoration services.

When it comes to churches, it is important to know that the work is being carried out by highly skilled professionals who have a deep respect for the building. When our services are being used, there are no such concerns. All our steeplejacks are fully trained in different aspects of church restoration and know how to access high areas using the safest and most suitable techniques. Besides restoring existing damage, we can also install systems to safeguard against potential future hazards, such as lightning strikes.

When we are designing a lightning protection system we always keep in mind that the current can enter a property by striking it directly, by flowing through pipes in the ground, or via cables. Once it enters the structure it can travel through the electrical system, plumbing, air conditioning and even the rebar in the walls or floors. All of these possibilities need to be considered in order to maximise safety.

The best lightning protection systems consist of a grounding system to prevent lighting from striking the property directly and surge protection to stop the current from flowing through cabling. The grounding will consist of a series of conductors to carry the current away from the property, creating a single unobstructed path or several routes so the current can make its way to rods driven into the ground. This allows safe dispersion of the current into the earth. The ground rods need to be positioned carefully to ensure the current can’t jump to any cables or pipes buried in the ground if the system is called into action.

Grounding and surge protection can also help to reduce the risk of fire in the event of a lightning strike. If the current strikes an unprotected property the huge amount of energy can cause conductors to heat up to incredible temperatures, potentially igniting any flammable materials touching them. This is particularly problematic with cables because it could lead to a fire at any point along the wiring.

We have extensive experience with Coventry lightning protection and can create bespoke systems for all properties, ensuring they are protected as effectively as possible. If you have any questions or would like to arrange a consultation please contact us and we will be happy to help.

An unprotected church is five times more likely to be damaged by a strike than one with a protection system in place. Prevention is always better than cure, so it’s advisable to take every possible step to defend a church building from possible lightning strikes. The installation of a quality system equips a church with the protective solutions it needs and ensures that the electrical energy within a strike can be directed safely to the ground.

Protection systems are concerned with direct strikes, a strike in the vicinity of the structure, a strike to the service cable that supplies the structure or a strike close to a power or telephone cable. Overall, once a system is installed it offers protection to the structure itself, the surrounding environment and the people and electrical equipment inside.

When systems are installed there should always be sufficient separation between the lightning conductors and other conducting material, particularly the wiring system. As experienced steeplejacks and leading suppliers of protective systems, we are able to provide all churches with optimal defence from dangerous lightning strikes.

Once your system has been installed, we can offer a comprehensive testing and maintenance service. Our Coventry steeplejacks have plenty of experience in high rise access projects and can carry out safe and efficient installations. We know that all structures differ in their protection needs, so we ensure each church is fitted with the right system. We serve customers on a nationwide basis and provide an affordable and professional service.