System: Specialist Access

A reliable, efficient partnership with Sisk Rail

OneFifty has recently completed a project to remove graffiti from rail infrastructure for Network rail on behalf of Sisk Rail. This is the third year running that Sisk Rail has used our services, this time the project involved cleaning 36 sites between London and Bristol over an eight week period, with all work carried out to exacting time frames.

Variety of cleaning systems to suit

Rail infrastructure encompasses a variety of building structures including trackside at the stations, bridges, tunnels, sidings and retaining walls, as well as different building substrates – stone, concrete, metal and brick. Each location can require a different method of access and cleaning in order to achieve the best results.

In this round of work, when dealing with graffiti on a metal bridge structure, it was deemed more efficient to paint over the graffiti rather than remove it. We used media blasting with recycled powdered glass to clean the very old brick underpass at Swindon station, as it is the most efficient method for removing graffiti without causing damage to the brickwork.

We also used media blasting to remove graffiti from a long expanse of retaining wall running alongside private farmland. Here we were working above a drainage ditch and media blasting was the most ecologically sound approach.

Efficient planning

All of the cleaning work needed to be completed within an eight week time frame and be planned to fit within extremely exacting timeframes. Some locations needed to be cleaned at very specific times – often out of hours – to fit with other trackside work and take advantage of line closures. We pride ourselves in our ability to plan and manage work and successfully completed all graffiti removal within the required timeframes and to a high standard.

Health and Safety, insurance, traffic permits – sorted

There are very specific requirements associated with working trackside and all work was carefully planned and carried out in line with Network Rails’ strict Health and Safety regulations.

Some of the sites also required traffic management permits while others needed specialist high-level access. Our professional team is experienced in arranging traffic management – including liaising with councils to arrange road closures permits – and in organising access for high-level cleaning. Security and insurance was all sorted out on behalf of our client making their life a lot easier.

To find out more about our exterior cleaning services contact Max or Andy on 0333 234 1445 or email your enquiry and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Showcasing our hi-level glass cleaning skills at Cabot Circus

With designer-brand shops, international restaurants and entertainment venues – including a Showcase cinema – Cabot Circus is a prime shopping destination in the heart of Bristol. OneFifty recently carried out exterior cleaning for the centre including House of Frazer’s glass façade and the high-level windows of the Showcase cinema. We also cleaned  the impressive glass enclosed walkway that joins Cabot Circus to its multi-storey car park situated on the other side of a busy inner-city ring road.

Traffic management and H&S sorted

This project required careful planning with regards to timing, traffic control and high-level access, and in addition cleaning needed to be carried out at night in order to minimise interruption to business. Our experienced team is quite comfortable working overnight and liaising with Bristol City Council to gain the necessary permits to activate lane closures, as well as managing all other aspects of Health and Safety associated with this type of project.

We used our reach and wash system to clean the glass surfaces. Lower level sections could be accessed from the ground, but a great deal of the work was carried out using the OneFifty cherry picker which allowed our operatives to reach and clean even the highest, hard-to-get-to sections and achieve a brilliant, streak-free finish.

Planning for success – meeting tight deadlines

Traffic lanes were temprarily closed off to allow our team to set up equipment and gain access to the glass walkway and this limited the time available to get the job done. Our experienced team carefully planned, coordinated and managed the whole project, ensuring all required work could be completed to a high standard, safely and within the required timeframe.

Our client is really impressed with what we have done and we are looking forward to helping with other exterior cleaning projects for the centre in due course.

If you require help with cleaning large glass facades, high level windows or glass walkways contact Max or Andy on 0333 234 1445 or email your enquiry and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

High Level cleaning at Ashton Gate Stadium

We recently cleaned the steel structures on the roof of the new south and west stands at Ashton gate. The impressive white steel poles of the structure had become badly stained by algae which made them look dirty and gave a rather negative impression. OneFifty was asked to remove the algae and restore the poles to their original white colour.

Options for high-level access

At its highest point the structure extends 8.5 metres above the tallest section of the stadium, reaching a total height of 40 metres. As experts in high level access, with IPAF and IRATA trained operatives, we have a range of options available for us to clean areas that have challenging access issues.

Finding the best approach

We were able to access and clean the structure above the south stand by using a combination of our cherry picker and telescopic poles to achieve the required reach and give the white steel poles a thorough clean.

The challenge was the west stand. Given it’s height and the position of the steel structure there wasn’t sufficient room to position a MEWP – rope access was our best option. Working from ropes brings its own challenges as the operatives also needed to gain purchase in order to clean effectively with pressurised steam while suspended in their harnesses.

A combination of creativity and skill.

Our rope access team has years of experience and a very thorough understanding of using ropes to work at high level. This, combined with our expertise in different cleaning options, enabled us to crack this challenge.

It took a team of ten in total to complete the work, and a lot careful planning to find, test and agree the best approach, but we did it. We overcame all the challenges, got the job done and achieved a fantastic outcome. The aglae stained structure is now back to its original colour and free from algae. The stadium is once again looking its brilliant best  – and we have yet another very pleased client.

Regenerating the Generator Building

The Generator Building is a striking red brick and stone building located on Finzels Reach by Bristol’s floating harbour. It originally housed the generator for Bristol’s tram system, now it has now been given a new lease of life as state-of-the-art offices.

Unfortunately while the building was empty, graffiti vandals got to work defacing the walls, facias, soffits and roof lantern with unsightly tags. OneFifty was enlisted to help remove the graffiti.

Expert cleaning, minimum risk

For the OneFifty team cleaning the graffiti off the walls at ground level was a pretty straight forward task, however removing the tags on the soffits and facias of the roof posed numerous challenges.

We have a range cleaning systems each suited to dealing with different types of contaminant and surface substrate. After years of experience in removing graffiti we can recommend and employ the most effective method of cleaning while minimising risk of damage to the surface.

Media blasting, using a very gentle media, was effective for removing the tags from walls at ground level, however this method could not be used for the high level cleaning – reaching and removing the tags at the top of the building required a different approach.

ON THE ROPES

As experts in high level access, with IPAF and IRATA trained operatives, we have a number of options for reaching high up, difficult to reach spaces to give them a thorough clean.

With 20 years in the business, our rope access team has both knowledge and experience of using ropes to work at high level. Our combined expertise made us a go-to solution for this tricky project.

How to treat a tricky substrate

One element of the high level cleaning involved removing graffiti from a lead soffit at the very top of the building. Lead is an extremely reactive material, we needed to get the cleaning method right so as to not trigger a reaction which might discolour the lead.

In addition, one of the tags was done in black paint on very old brickwork and the paint had leached into the brick making it extremely difficult to remove. The tag was located at the very end of the building making it difficult to access. Using pressurised steam at 150 degrees, plus skill and determination, we managed to remove this stubborn tag.

Achieving the best outcome for our client

Despite the challenges associated with access and fragile substrates we were able to complete the graffiti removal safely and efficiently and achieve the best possible outcome. We are proud to have played a small part in the regeneration of this iconic historic building and, importantly, our client was absolutely delighted with the work.

The images below tell the story – so do take a look through. If you require any more information about hi-level graffiti removal contact Max on 0333 234 1445 or email info@onefifty.co.uk

800 windows, 7 storeys, one happy client!

One Fifty recently carried out a huge window cleaning project at Manor Close, a residential development in Birmingham. Manor Close is comprised of five blocks of apartments, each seven storeys high (that’s a whopping 22 metres).

The property management company wanted both the windows and window frames to be given a thorough clean. It had been a while since they had last been done as they’d been let down by their previous supplier and were struggling to find a replacement company able to deliver on their requirements.

Equipped for the task

We were delighted to win the contract and this was the perfect opportunity to put some of our new equipment to the test. The Reach and Wash system was perfect for tackling the windows of the lower floors while the cherry picker allowed us to access and clean ones at the higher levels using our pressure washing system. We use pure water and a gentle pressure to acheive a brilliant streak-free outcome.

This window cleaning project demonstrates some of the reasons our clients use us time and again:

Safe and sound

Our operators are experienced in high-access cleaning and are fully IPAF trained, plus we have all the necessary insurances in place providing complete peace of mind. Our tried and tested processes help ensure that everything runs smoothly. We turn up on time, complete the work within the agreed time frames and make sure that we clean up after ourselves.

Excellent standards throughout

Clients can expect the highest standards of cleaning. We also ensure that they are kept fully informed throughout the duration of the project. Once completed, we supply before and after images to show exactly what has been achieved.

We also take a considerate and flexible approach to accommodate our clients’ needs and, in this instance, avoid inconvenience to residents.

The client was delighted with the work and we hope to be doing more exterior surface cleaning for them in the near future.

 

Working nights to remove offensive graffiti

Over the past year OneFifty has been working as a subcontractor for Sisk Rail to deal with graffiti on railway bridges for Network Rail. The most recent of these projects was to remove politically sensitive graffiti from a railway bridge spanning a busy motorway – it turned out to be a sizeable manoeuvre.

Meeting multiple Health and Safety requirements

To allow our team access to carry out the required work sections of both motorway and railway needed to be closed for a period of time, this attracted stringent H&S requirements which needed to be met and adhered to throughout. Sisk held a thorough pre-project briefing with all parties involved and ensured all risks had been properly assessed, and safe systems for working prepared and followed. This included coning off sections of the road, ensuring any vehicles on site were fitted with retro-reflective markings, and that staff wore high-vis clothing, protective gear and PPE!

Selecting the best tools for the job

Having carried out a site visit to assess the project in advance we knew that the best approach would be to pressure wash some surfaces, while painting-out was the deemed the fastest, most cost effective way of removing graffiti on the bridge itself. This combination enabled us to complete the work and the desired outcome within the very tight timeframe required.

The work was carried out at night, on a weekend, to help minimise disruption to travellers. We used truck-mounted cherry pickers to reach the high motor way bridges and mobile flood lights were installed to illuminate the area enabling us to work at night. OneFifty’s operators are fully IPAF trained and experienced in using high-access equipment, ensuring peace of mind for everyone involved.

All parties were very pleased by the successful collaboration of all involved, and with our professional approach throughout. We look forward to working together again the future.

If you need help with removing unwanted graffiti, contact Max or Andy Morris on 0333 234 1445 or email your enquiry and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

 

Bridging the gap

While the last few months have proved challenging for many businesses, at OneFifty we have managed to complete projects safely and successfully during lockdown. One such job was the removal of graffiti for Network Rail from 19 sites including railway bridges on the line from Cornwall to London.

Best for the job

Working for Sisk Rail on behalf of Network Rail, we were appointed as a subcontractor with the knowledge and skill in exterior cleaning to undo the damage.

We always use the best cleaning approach for the job, so in this instance, with surfaces including brickwork and metal, we tackled the project using a combination of media blasting, pressurised steam cleaning and painting. Much of the graffiti was sprayed over large surface areas – such as bridges that cover three lanes of traffic – that can handle the variable pressures of media blasting. This makes it a suitably sensitive and cost-effective approach, without having to use chemicals that might impact the environment.

Overcoming challenges during COVID 19

We completed the project to a tight deadline of just one week before the end of March and with a high spec, despite the challenging circumstances, which saw lockdown beginning, our delivery of paint delayed and our access equipment suppliers closed. With quick thinking and flexibility, we were able to obtain PPE and all the necessary kit to keep the project moving. The benefit of completing the work during the early stage of lockdown was that the lack of traffic made for easier and safer access.

Complete project management

We professionally managed the entire project, from traffic management and high-level access to security and insurance, on behalf of the client, leaving them free to focus on other areas of their business. The client was delighted with the outcome and we hope to work together again the future.

If you need help with removing unwanted graffiti, contact Max or Andy Morris on 0333 234 1445 or email your enquiry and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Spring cleaning a hotel in historic Bath

Bath – a World Heritage Site – is known for its Palladian architecture and the famous golden stone. Even modern buildings stay true to the classic skyline, including the Hilton hotel at the heart of the city.

On the riverfront

Perched on the river Avon, the Hilton is exposed to the elements all year round. We were called by building firm Edgewater Contracts to tackle the building façade, which was showing major signs of weathering. The entire building is undergoing a refurbishment, presenting the perfect time to clean the exterior.

Tackling organic growth

The façade is constructed from imprinted concrete blocks, or faux Bath stone. Thanks to the cold, damp weather of winter, it was covered in organic contaminants and biological growth, including algae and lichen. This caused dark staining across the stone, which was worse at the top of the building as a result of water running off the capping.

Our problem-solving approach

The clean required large machinery to cover the surface area. We used a combination of steam cleaning and a biocide to remove and inhibit the growth. Access was tricky around the back of the hotel, as it faces onto the river – as we couldn’t use cherry pickers, we overcame the obstacle with rope access so our operatives could abseil down the building façade. We worked around contractors on site and left the Hilton with a thoroughly clean finish to welcome the first guests of spring.

For expert cleaning of organic growth, call Max or Andy Morris on 0333 234 1445 or email your enquiry.

Render cleaning: a cost-effective alternative to painting cycles

When one of our existing clients got in touch to ask our advice on an alternative to entirely repainting a residential development, we knew just what would save them time and money.

Breaking the continuous loop of painting cycles

Building managers are often stuck in a continuous loop of painting cycles, trying to maintain a clean and tidy building – but this really isn’t necessary. Many blocks of apartments are rendered with monocouche render that has colour in its pigment, meaning it doesn’t need to be painted. Instead, regular exterior cleaning can leave it looking as good as new and significantly extend the time between painting cycles.

Even if building managers do decide to paint render, it’s important to have the surfaces professionally cleaned first to ensure organic matters like moss and algae that can dislodge the paint are thoroughly removed. That’s where we come in. Exterior building cleaning is incredibly cost effective, at just one third of the cost of repainting. We can entirely clean the exterior of a building with our dedicated equipment to ensure it looks pristine. If that hasn’t quite done the trick, however, the building is then already in the perfect state to be painted.

From the windows to the walls

For Dial Stone Court in Weybridge, Surrey, we embarked on a full project, which included render and brickwork cleaning, window cleaning, gutter maintenance and small repairs. We used steam cleaning to remove dirt, which appeared in patches and streaks across the exterior walls. As part of our gutter maintenance service, we investigated downpipes with a camera on a rod, to check for blockages and potential leaks, then cleared and repaired them.

As the client was so pleased with the result, they asked us to take care of the roof, which had become overgrown with moss. The moss was being swept by wind and rain into the gutters, causing blockages and unsightly stains. We scraped the moss away and used a biocide to penetrate the roof substrate to eliminate the spores to prevent regrowth.

Thanks to our specialist access equipment, including spiders that require very little floor space to operate, we were able to save the client £20,000 on scaffolding costs and caused minimal disruption to residents.

Experts in render cleaning

If you manage a residential or commercial development and want to save money on painting cycles, call Max or Andy Morris on 0333 234 1445 or email your enquiry. We can provide a full exterior cleaning service or carry out isolated cleans on exposed parts of a building to upkeep its appearance and the structural integrity of the exterior surfaces annually or at regular periods, to reduce the need for repainting.

 

Royal makeover for Princes Court

Princes Court is an elegant residential development in Tetbury, a small chocolate-box town in the Cotswolds, an area of outstanding natural beauty.

This high quality development, comprised of five blocks of private apartments, was constructed in 2002. Unfortunately over time the building has become stained and discoloured, with a combination of algae and atmospheric pollution creating unsightly marks on the rendered facades, stone lintels, coping stones, chimneys and other exterior surfaces.

Brilliant exterior building cleaning

The building’s lead contractor, Ian Williams, was charged with restoring the look of the building and carrying out other planned maintenance. We’d worked with Ian a few years before and were delighted when he contacted us to provide the exterior building cleaning at Princes Court.

Using a spider track, boom lift and scaffolding that had been put up for broader maintenance work, we applied a biocide to effectively remove and kill the algae. Biocides also help prevent regrowth, keeping the building’s exterior looking cleaner for longer.

We then steam cleaned the entire building exterior to completely remove all marks, streaks and staining to leave the building looking good as new.

Very happy customer

We worked closely with Ian Williams to plan our exterior building cleaning schedule and ensure that our timings suited any third party maintenance contractors. We also made sure that the residents were fully informed about when we would be carrying out cleaning work, and that any personal belongings, such as plant pots etc were stowed safely out of the way.

Total transformation

Once all the work was finished the building looked fantastic. Ian Williams, the building’s managing company, and the residents were all very happy with the finished results. In fact it had totally transformed the exterior of the building making it somewhere residents, and the wider community of Tetbury, could be proud of again!