A Century of Weathering vs. Modern Restoration
A Century of Weathering vs. Modern Restoration
This Claudelands property, built circa 1910, is a piece of Hamilton's history. However, over 100 years of exposure had taken its toll. When we arrived, the weatherboards were suffering from severe "alligatoring" - a deep cracking caused by decades of paint layers failing and lifting.
The damage went beyond the surface. We identified significant rot in the decorative corners, the deck joists, and the bottom plates of the left-hand wall. The client wanted a "Victorian Style" finish, but the canvas we had to work with was crumbling. A standard repaint would have failed within a year; this required surgical restoration.
Smart Testing Saved the Client Thousands
Many contractors would have looked at the flaking paint and recommended stripping the entire house back to bare wood - a massive expense. At Tomar Contracting, we rely on data, not guesswork.
We conducted a Cross-Hatch Adhesion Test on the exterior surfaces. The results were surprising: while the top layers were flaking, the original 1910 primer was still sound and adhering perfectly to the native timber. By scientifically verifying this, we were able to save the existing base layers, water blast at 4000psi to remove only the loose debris, and save the client a significant portion of their budget without compromising quality.
The "Mammoth Mission" of Repair
Before a drop of paint was applied, our team spent days on stabilization. We treated the bare native timber with a specialized Pigmented Sealer to lock in tannins and prevent bleeding - a common issue in older homes.
The rot repair involved extensive use of Builder's Bog and Contract Filler to reconstruct the damaged window sills and weatherboards. We didn't just fill holes; we reshaped the timber to match the original Victorian profile. This phase is what separates a "painter" from a "restoration specialist." We ensured the house wasn't just colored, but waterproofed and structurally sound.
The Transformation
The transformation was immediate. We finished the cladding in a Low Sheen Acrylic to hide any remaining historical imperfections, while the trims were highlighted in a crisp Semi-Gloss Enamel. The previously rotten decks were coated in Wattyl Deck Paint with an integrated anti-slip grit for safety and durability.
The result? The client noted that the finish we achieved would have taken a year of DIY labor. Neighbors stopped by to ask what "magic" we had performed. The home is now fully waterproofed, the rot is gone, and the street appeal has been restored to its 1910 glory.