Stone Edge has repaired and restored many buildings of this type. It is intricate work and very rewarding: just the kind of project we relish. Our project here, for Sandwell Council, consisted of repairs to the terracotta blocks which form a band at eaves level and consist of several courses of decorative terracotta pots, filled with concrete. The repairs were needed to halt the deterioration to the fabric of the building, caused by water penetration into the blocks. This had been caused mainly by steel spikes driven into them, designed to support pigeon deterrent wires. The water had penetrated the concrete fill, causing expansion. Frost damage had subsequently resulted in delamination and spalling of the terracotta. Ultimately, it had penetrated through the building envelope and there was saturation of brickwork and plasterwork in some interior rooms.