Edinburgh · Scotland
Drylaw Sand Mastic
Window and door surrounds in Drylaw need attention? We cut out the old, prepare the joints and apply the right sealant.
- Mastic dropping out of the joint
- Tired mastic found when preparing windows for paint
- Mastic worn away on windows facing the weather
About our sand mastic in Drylaw
Sand mastic skins over fairly quickly, but it takes longer to harden fully. Traditionally, sand mastic is left unpainted, so ask us before you decorate. We are often asked to deal with cement or filler used on old window joints that has cracked and mastic that needs renewing before redecorating, on timber door frames, sash and case windows and period & listed homes.
In a Scottish city, many flats have windows two, three or four floors up, so the mastic outside can go unchecked for years. Access is the first thing to plan for a job in Drylaw, and in a tenement the outside of the building may be a shared repair.
We guarantee the work for a year. If something is not right with it in that time, tell us and we will put it right.
- Where
- Drylaw (EH4, EH5)
- Wider area
- Edinburgh
- Cover
- One year on every job
- Quote
- A clear quote up front
- info@mrmastic.co.uk
- Last updated
- 26 October 2026
Surface by surface
Tenement and terrace windows
Where a building is shared, window work may involve neighbours so it’s worth checking responsibilities.
Sash and case windows
Sash windows are where we do most sand mastic work. We renew the mastic round each box.
When it is not the sealant
Some problems need a builder, plumber or other trade rather than us:
- Sashes that rattle, stick or won’t open
- Timber that has rotted
- Decisions on consent for listed homes
If you’re not sure, just send an email to info@mrmastic.co.uk and we’ll give you a straight answer before you book.
What we seal
- Sash and case windows
- Stone surrounds
- Brick reveals
- Tenement windows
- Timber door frames
- Period & listed homes
Landlords, agents and businesses in Drylaw
A neglected joint can let water reach the structure, which is a bigger problem in a rented property. Keeping joints in good order is simple maintenance.
Letting agents and landlords in Drylaw can book us as well as homeowners. Resealing between tenancies is a simple way to keep a property in good order.
Windows and doors in Drylaw
Drylaw is close to the coast, where wind-driven rain is a fact of life and, nearer the shore, so is salt air. That is hard on the mastic around older windows and doors, especially on the side facing the sea. The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with sash windows throughout the Georgian New Town. If a home is listed or in a conservation area, it’s worth checking with the council before changing the look of windows or walls.
Rented homes near Haymarket station change hands often, and any sash windows need sound mastic to keep draughts and rain out. For an older house near a landmark such as St Columba's Parish Church, replacement windows fitted into old openings often leave uneven gaps that need backing and a flexible joint.
Drylaw is about 2 miles west of Stockbridge, in Edinburgh. From the centre of Drylaw to the outskirts, sand mastic is available for homes and businesses alike. Drylaw is one of 175 places in Edinburgh where we work for sand mastic.
All of EH4 and EH5 is covered for sand mastic. We cover properties on Mottram Road, Telford Road and Drylaw Avenue and the roads around them. Drylaw sits on or near the A902, which makes travel easy. Nearby, we also carry out sand mastic in Blackhall (1 mile south-west), Muirhouse (1 mile north), Crewe Toll (1 mile north-east), East Pilton (1 mile east) and West Pilton (1 mile north). Within a short drive, we also cover Leith (3 miles east), Bonnington (3 miles east), Greenside (3 miles east), Buccleuch (3 miles south-east), Pilrig (3 miles east) and North Leith (3 miles east).
Landmarks near Drylaw
Around Drylaw, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Stewart's Melville College and Gabrielle Keiller Library, among other places. The closest station to Drylaw is Haymarket station, about 1.7 miles south-east of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Western General Hospital (0.6 miles east) and Murrayfield Experience (1.6 miles south). Not far away are Corstorphine Hill and Dunsapie Loch.
The process
We work through the job in order: protection first, then preparation, sealing and a tidy-up. For most jobs that takes a few hours per window, depending on the condition of the joints and we leave things clean and tidy. In a city area like Drylaw, parking may be by permit or pay-and-display, so tell us what’s nearby. If you are in a flat, let us know how we get in at the street door.
- First, we look at the surrounds with you and agree what needs doing.
- The loose and crumbling mastic is raked out and the joint cleaned.
- We pack any deep gaps so the mastic sits at the right depth.
- Sand mastic is mixed and applied by hand, then shaped to the joint.
- The mastic is finished to sit tidily against the stone or brick.
Getting ready for the visit
- Tell us about access, such as stairs, a lift or high-level joints
- Let us know about earlier repairs to the joints
- Mention any sign-in or site rules at work premises
Getting a quote
To get a quote, drop us a line at info@mrmastic.co.uk with the location and a short description of the problem. You will have a clear quote before work begins.
Related advice
Drylaw questions
Who arranges sealant work on the shared parts of a tenement in Drylaw?
The owners of the flats generally agree repairs to shared parts like the roof and outside walls, and many buildings have a factor to arrange it. Where the title deeds are silent, the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 fills the gaps. Windows often belong to the individual flat, but it’s worth checking your deeds.
Does living near the coast affect sand mastic in Drylaw?
Coastal homes put outside sealant through more weather than inland ones, so the choice of sealant and the preparation matter even more. Walls facing the sea are normally the first to need attention.
When will the new mastic be hard?
A skin forms quite soon, but full hardening takes longer. We will explain what to expect before we leave.
How long does sand mastic take?
It depends on the size of the job, but as a guide it takes anything from a few hours to a full day, depending on how many windows. We will give you a better idea when we quote.
Are you insured?
Yes. We are fully insured.
Are you ARBOMaster approved?
Yes. We’re approved under the ARBOMaster scheme, the approved applicator scheme for Arbo sealants.
Will it make a mess?
No. We protect the surfaces around the joints, and we tidy up before we go.
Will there be a smell?
It depends on the product. Some smell for a while, some hardly at all, and any smell fades as they cure.
Towns and villages near Drylaw
What else we do in Drylaw
Quotes for sand mastic in Drylaw
There’s no set price list, because jobs vary so much. The quote depends on:
- The number of rooms or windows
- Any mould that needs treating
- The type of sealant required
- The number and length of the joints
Commercial jobs are quoted on the same basis as homes: the amount of work, the access and the products needed. Ask us for a quote and we’ll go through it with you.
What we need to know
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote. When you ask for a quote, tell us:
- Access, such as stairs, a lift or height
- Pictures of the joints, sent by email
- What the problem is, such as mould, gaps, leaks or cracking
- Where the job is, and your postcode
Getting a quote is simple: let us know the job and the location. Photos by email help us understand the job, and we will come back to you with a quote.
Do you need sand mastic in Drylaw?
Shallow joints are a common cause. Mastic that’s too thin cracks and drops out, which is why we pack deep voids first and get the depth right.
People generally contact us after spotting something like this:
- Patchy fillers round a sash window
- Mastic round period door frames that has failed
- A silicone bead on a sash window that spoils the look
- Old sand mastic that has cracked, crumbled or fallen out
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Craigroyston Community High School, larger buildings have plenty of frames, and the mastic around each one ages.
Questions to ask before you book
- What insurance they hold
- Is VAT in the price?
- How hidden problems are handled
- When the joint can take water or movement
Keeping the joints in good condition
Good habits help new joints last longer. Our tips:
- Do not paint over the new mastic
- Clear gutters so water doesn’t pour onto the windows
- Check the mastic when you check the paintwork
- Take care around the mastic when scraping paint
Make sure water drains away from the window surround. Constant wetting wears the mastic faster.
Sound mastic protects the frame. Once it fails, water can sit against the timber and timber that stays wet can rot.