Earthquakes and stone.

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 12:14:44 GMT

Stonework constructed under the previous building code actually proved itself incredibly well by mostly surviving the Canterbury earthquakes back in 2010 / 2011.

The only stonework to fail during these seismic events was either very old stone structures with poor foundations and substrates with little or no masonry fixings.

Or stonework where the substrate failed or where the masonry was constructed by unqualified stonemasons.

Southern stonemasons were engaged by many insurance companies after the Canterbury earthquakes to take down and rebuild badly damaged stonework installed by unqualified stonemasons.

We found nearly all masonry that had failed had been constructed with poor masonry practice. Our investigations into the these failed masonry structures lead us to believe that the builder or homeowner had normally chosen the cheapest price during the quoting process. This resulting in an unqualified laborer posing as a stonemason.

Many of these unqualified stonemasons soon disappeared after the earthquakes.

No doubt to avoid accountability.

Modern stonework when constructed correctly by a qualified stonemason whom has gained a qualification through a full term apprenticeship will be incredibly safe and will survive a solid seismic event.

The New Zealand building code has rigid specifications for the design and construction of stonemasonry structures to protect the home owners and their property from such an event in future.

Since the Canterbury earthquakes the engineering and designing of all structures around New Zealand has been vastly strengthened to a level where a home owner can be absolutely confident in having stone installed on their home or structure.

Southern Stonemasons Canterbury have invested thousands of dollars into the development of New Zealand's first and only seismic resistant STONECLAD stone tie.

Our qualified stonemasons have worked with engineers, BRANZ and some of New Zealand top architects to develop and test a revolutionary STONECLAD stone tie that has vastly improved bonding to the mortar and overall strength.

Our STONECLAD stone ties being of 316 stainless steel are not only incredibly durable but are also proven to hold over one ton of weight when pull tested in mortar. We install 8 per face M2, So that's the holding strength of more than eight tons on a cladding weighing about 300 kg.

These new STONECLAD stone ties absolutely guarantee our stone structures won't fail even in the biggest of possible events.

The STONECLAD stone ties are widely specified by the Christchurch city council engineers on public assets due to their durability, strength and ease of installation.

Those stonemasons that have started using them have commented that they are in fact a massive game changer in future protecting masonry structures from any potential future seismic events.

Two main things to insure your masonry project stands the test of time:

Choose a member of the New Zealand stonemasonry association to install your stonework.
Insist on then using a STONECLAD stone tie

If you incorporate these two main considerations then you will not only have the absolute best stonemasonry money can buy but also the strongest stonemasonry that will one day become a heritage investment.

To achieve ideal outcomes in any project planning and communication is key. We work closely with council, builders, architects, engineers, designers and home owners to ensure expectations match outcomes in terms of quality, timing, cost and wow factor. We encourage you to get in touch with us as soon as possible for inspiration, expert advice and obligation free quotes.

Don't get ripped off by cowboy "stonemasons"

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 23:21:05 GMT

A lot of stonework being installed around New Zealand is being done by unqualified labourers calling themselves stonemasons.

New Zealand has many (so called) stonemasons that have fooled home owners for years.

Don't let an accent fool you, European stonemasons often come to New Zealand to learn skills from New Zealands own high quality qualified tradesmen.

The Canterbury Earthquakes exposed hundreds of examples of bad practice from unqualified contractors.

Many left New Zealand straight after the earthquakes to avoid being held accountable.

Apart from the inferior messy looking stonework, the main things unqualified stonemasons do that are bad practice are combination of bad bonding, badly installed ties. Too few ties and often a mortar that was laid too dry.

Bad practices played a huge part in the failing of so much stone cladding during the Christchurch seismic events.

The only benefit in re-instating their stone work during the rebuild was that taking apart there badly damaged work could be done with just a gloved hand as the mortar mixes were so weak.

Unqualified stonemasons often use a dry mortar mix because its easier to lay stone in. Though there is no benefit whatsoever for the home owner. In fact the home owner has paid for a potentially very dangerous home environment.

Qualified stonemasons that have gained their qualification through a four or five year apprenticeship in New Zealand will have the knowledge and confidence to work any stone in any style to build any structure.

These qualified stonemasons will be skilled enough to match existing stonework. Locating the original stone source and perfectly matching both stone and style.

A stonemason that has gained a qualification in an apprenticeship under a qualified stonemason will have the confidence to build stone work as it has been done for thousands of years.

These qualified stonemasons will have the knowledge and expertise to help you plan your project so you get true quality stonework at a very reasonable rate with the backing and support from the New Zealand Stonemasons Association.

Most importantly your stonework will be Compliant to the New Zealand building code with the security that it will be safe during any possible seismic event.

southern-stone-mason

Earthquakes and stone.

Stonework constructed under the previous building code actually proved itself incredibly well by mostly surviving the Canterbury earthquakes back in 2010 / 2011.

Don't get ripped off by cowboy "stonemasons"

A lot of stonework being installed around New Zealand is being done by unqualified labourers calling themselves stonemasons.