Timber investigation specialists, Rotafix Ltd, were called in by the Surveyor of Works at the Windsor Estate to provide a solution. Their survey of the pole both above and below ground level indicated that the timber was above moisture saturation point below ground level. A mechanical hoist was used above ground level in order to quantify the amount of damage. There was found to be considerable deterioration to the carved features.

The pole is located on a brass pin placed centrally within a cylindrical reinforced concrete tubular base. Water had been trapped in the concrete container and water ingress had saturated the cedar wood. The first task was to open up the existing sealant around the perimeter base in order to remove as much moisture as possible, at the same time a loose tent was used to keep the surrounding area dry whilst maintaining air movement.

First Stage

Rotafix commissioned Boron expert, Dr Bill Beauford of ACS, Yeovil, to produce a remedial template for the installation and use of Boron rods. Rotafix then provided purpose manufactured augers in order to drill a series of 1.6m deep holes at 45 degrees, all in order to install a Boron rod system. This system can be monitored and the sacrificial Boron rods replenished as necessary with no disruption to the structure. This operation is believed to be one of the deepest applications of solid Boron rods anywhere in the world.

Second Stage

Timber repairs were undertaken using specially selected Western red cedar, cut to shape, and bonded in place with the well-established and popular Rotafix Structural adhesive and Rotaflex pultruded rod combination.An alternative method of restoration would have meant the temporary removal of the pole -- another triumph for the Rotafix 'low intervention techniques'.

• Invisible authentic repairs to exposed beams and other structural timbers
• Real wood replacement with patent Rotafix timber resin splice(TRS)
• Upgrading of beams in-situ to carry increased loadings without the need of wholesale disturbance
• Repair of cracked or warped beams by a combination of resin injection and/or dowelling for both solid and glulam structures
• Quality repairs to both hardwood and softwood windows