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Wainhouse Tower

Restoration of the Tower

After 18 months of planning, work commenced in Summer 2008 to undertake essential maintenance works to one of Calderdale most prominent landmarks. The tower, which was closed to the public for nearly two years, required extensive re-pointing and repair works to halt the deterioration of the building fabric.

Work commenced with a full and detailed survey of the whole tower. From this the Council's Building Consultancy service were able to determine the extent of repairs required and the amount of damaged stone to be replaced. Access was required to all parts of the tower; this was provided by a combination of powered hoists, bosun's chair and complex scaffolding around the top section.

The repair work included:

• full re-pointing of the whole of the tower using a lime based mortar to protect the stonework and allow it to breathe;
• dismantling and rebuilding of the top corona to allow removal of corroding ironwork. New stainless steel dowels and staples were used in the rebuilding process to prevent future deterioration;
• replacement lead roof / floor at corona level;
• improved access to the corona to service the lightning conductor and new lights;
• new carved stone sections at various locations throughout the tower. The stone for these was sourced and carved by a local stone mason;
• stitching and dowelling of sound but cracked stone to prevent further deterioration;
• new concrete cap and associated support structure to the flue in the middle of the tower;
• new stainless steel straps to replace corroded iron staples within the upper section of the staircase;
• new LEDs (light-emitting diodes) positioned at the corona level. This level had never been lit before and it was decided that lamps in this position would allow the public to see this section in more detail at night. Blue was chosen as complementary to the orange and green lamps already in position.

Now completed the tower has been re-opened to the public and will be able to be enjoyed by future generations.

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