Learning about scaffolding

Scaffolding at No. 7

We've been living with workmen for the past few weeks.  The flank wall of the house has been needing attention.  The building is timber-framed on two sides, and brick faced with render on the other two.  This means that it sways slightly in a gale - and last winter we had those in spades.  Timber can sway, of course, but brick and render is rigid - as a result, we had cracks down the flank wall.  During the winter storms the rain found its way in and damp patches appeared on the new lath and plaster inside.

So repairs had to be undertaken, and preventive measures to stop the damage recurring.  First, though, came the question of scaffolding.  Our previous experiences with scaffolders hasn't been great.  Cheeky Cockney types have thrown poles and boards around with wild abandon and asked for cash in the hand.  More like the dark side of the building trade than a business transaction.

But that's all changed.  With our new scaffolders I've learnt how tricky the job is, and how important for the people working high above ground.  It's not an easy task in this case, since the road is narrow, and large trucks need room to turn left into Tackleway, so you can't encroach on the pavement at the top.  The first time we put scaffolding up we succeeded in preventing the bin lorries from collecting from the entire street for several weeks, which doesn't make you popular.  

Enter new master scaffolder Paul Bond, with his newly-formed business Tubetech.  The scaffolding is pinned to the wall with drill holes at regular intervals, and cantilevered at one end to allow trucks to get past.  The projecting poles have been cut short so that they don't project into the street.  The whole structure is so firm that I've lost all fear about going up to the top of it - and at forty feet above ground I can tell you it's a long way up.  Most fascinating of all is speaking to Paul about the technicalities of scaffolding as he looks at other structures round the area - and there's a lot around at the moment, since everyone's repairing damage from the winter storms.  I now understand the extent to which scaffolding needs to be rigid and properly braced so that it provides a safe working environment for the series of builders and painters we've had working on the wall for several weeks.  

The best moment, of course, is when the scaffolding comes down and we're back to normal.  But that's going to take a few days yet.

Antony Mair