The Repair of Wrought and Cast Iron Work - Dublin City Council

IRON THE REPAIR OF WROUGHT AND CAST IRONWORK
CAST IRON RAILING PANELS AND BALCONIES:
FRACTURES AND MISSING SECTIONS
Cast iron corrodes and becomes damaged in slightly
different ways to wrought iron. Because it is a hard and
brittle material, it will only accommodate a limited
amount of movement or pressure before fracturing.
Corroding wrought iron raggles (pointed spikes) within
hollow finials can cause the finial to crack. The
movement of foundations or impact damage can also
cause shattering.
Where sections of cast iron panels have fractured, it
may be possible to recast the section that is missing
and fix it in place either by threaded bars or by
brazing. However, it may be more feasible to recast the
entire panel. Welding new sections in place is
generally not recommended. Strap repairs should only
be used as an emergency measure to stabilise
ironwork until it can be repaired properly. New cast
iron panels should be fixed in place using traditional
detailing to match the existing adjoining panels.
Corrosion between the gate frame and slam bar is
common
2. Gates
The conservation officer in the local authority should
be consulted before making alterations to railings or
gates. Works such as inserting new gates, widening
existing gateways and automating gates may be
subject to planning permission.
GATES THAT HAVE SEIZED OR WON’T OPEN
PROPERLY
Gates may not function properly for a number of
reasons including: rising ground levels; gate pillars that
are not plumb (that are leaning); wearing of the
gudgeon or heel cup (the shoe that the gate frame sits
into in the ground in order to pivot); distortion of the
gate through use or slamming; and loosening of the
system securing the gate to a gate pillar. The cause of
the problem will need to be identified before a repair
can be planned.
INSERTING A NEW GATE
Inappropriate repairs and alterations are likely to
reduce the value and appeal of original features
therefore the decision to alter existing ironwork
should be made with care. Crudely-made mild steel
gates that have been welded together can be an
eyesore and will detract from the appearance of
existing ironwork. New gates should be designed in
accordance with the proportions, detailing and design
of the original ironwork. It may be possible to form the
new gate using the section of railings that it is to
replace. New gateposts should not be attached to the
original railings by welding. A competent blacksmith
will be able to advise on a more traditional assembly
method.
CORROSION OF THE GATE’S SLAM BAR
A common problem with gates is that the slam bar
(the flat section of wrought iron on the frame), or the
section of iron behind it, begins to corrode. Slam bars
will buckle or fracture as corrosion develops. The slam
bar should be removed, cleaned, and reshaped and
any corrosion from the underlying ironwork
thoroughly removed. Both surfaces should be painted
before the slam bar is replaced.
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