Reading · England
Play Hatch Sand Mastic
We cover Play Hatch for traditional burnt sand mastic around sash and case windows and doors in stone and brick. Old material cut out, joints cleaned and sealed neatly and every job guaranteed for a year.
- Gaps round a timber door in stone or brick
- Old cement repairs round a window that have failed
- Wind and rain getting in round a sash window
What we are called out for in Play Hatch
Most of it is simply age. Sand mastic is a maintenance item like any pointing, depending on exposure and upkeep.
These are the problems we’re asked about most:
- Tired mastic found when preparing windows for paint
- Gaps between timber frames and stone or brick
- Modern sealant on a period surround
- Wind and rain getting in round a sash window
In the older streets around St Andrew's Church, replacement windows fitted into old openings often leave uneven gaps that need backing and a flexible joint.
Comparing quotes
- How the colour is chosen
- What happens if they find a problem under the old sealant
- What the quote includes, VAT included or not
- What preparation is included
Sand mastic for homes and businesses in Play Hatch
We work across Play Hatch renewing sand mastic on sash windows and doors. Every joint is cleaned out and filled by hand for a neat, traditional finish. If you have cement or filler used on old window joints that has cracked and failed mastic on an exposed elevation, we can help, on brick reveals, timber door frames and stone surrounds alike.
Around Play Hatch, many homes face open ground, so their windows and doors take the full weather. That exposure dries out and cracks the mastic around frames and sills faster.
Our work is backed for twelve months, and the guarantee is the same wherever you are.
- Location
- Play Hatch (RG4)
- Wider area
- Reading
- Cover
- One year on every job
- Quotes
- A clear quote up front
- Call
- 0345 464 0079
- Last updated
- 26 October 2026
Why deal with it now?
If you’re redecorating, renew the mastic first. Paint over cracked mastic will not stop the gaps and traditional guidance is to leave the new mastic unpainted. Where a wall is exposed, as many are in small places like Play Hatch, wind-driven rain gets into any failed joint, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
Leaving a failed joint generally makes the job bigger, not smaller, as water and mould keep getting in. If you are unsure, phone 0345 464 0079 or drop us an email and we will give you an honest view and a quote.
Why us?
- Tidy, careful work
- 20+ years of sealant experience
- An ARBOMaster approved applicator
- We never seal over old sealant
Read what affects the cost or what customers say.
Keeping the joints in good condition
Joint life depends on how it’s used and looked after. Here’s what we suggest:
- Keep modern sealant off the mastic
- Clear gutters so water doesn’t pour onto the windows
- Find out about consent before window work on a listed home
- Look over the window mastic once a year
Leave the new mastic alone while it firms up. It skins over quickly but needs longer to fully harden.
Small cracks are a sign the mastic is ageing. It’s easier to renew it before it drops out.
What sand mastic looks like in Play Hatch
The South East is one of the drier parts of the UK, but outside sealant still needs a dry, clean surface, so outdoor work is planned around the forecast. Historic houses like Mapledurham House (about 4.4 miles west) are a reminder that the area around Play Hatch has older buildings as well as new. In older buildings, older timber frames in brick or stone need a different approach from a modern uPVC window.
For landlords with property near Reading station, cracked sand mastic around sash windows lets in the draughts tenants complain about. For site and facilities teams at buildings such as St Martin's Catholic Primary School, the mastic around its windows and doors needs looking after like any other building’s.
Play Hatch is about 1 mile east of Caversham, in Reading. From the centre of Play Hatch to the outskirts, we cover sand mastic for every kind of property, from flats and houses to offices and hotels. Our Reading coverage runs to 34 places, and Play Hatch is one of them.
Jobs for sand mastic in RG4 works the same way as everywhere else we cover. That includes homes and businesses on Dene Close, Henley Road and Foxhill Lane and the roads around them. Neighbouring places we cover for sand mastic include Dunsden Green (1 mile north), Caversham Park Village (1 mile west), Littlestead Green (1 mile north-west), Emmer Green (1 mile west) and Sonning (1 mile south-east). Larger places within reach include Norcot (4 miles west), West Reading (3 miles south-west), Tilehurst Within (5 miles west), Shinfield (5 miles south), Arborfield Garrison (7 miles south) and Horncastle (5 miles south-west).
Landmarks near Play Hatch
In Play Hatch, that means homes and buildings near Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre, Reading Blue Coat School and The Shoulder of Mutton pub and the streets around them. The closest station to Play Hatch is Reading station, about 2.2 miles south-west of the centre. A little further out are The Oracle (2.4 miles south-west) and Royal Berkshire Hospital (2.3 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Alder Moors and South Lake.
What the job involves on each surface
Brick reveals
Loose mastic comes out and deep gaps are packed before pointing.
Sash and case windows
The box of a sash and case window sits in the stone or brick opening. The gap round it is pointed with sand mastic.
What we do, step by step
There is not much for you to do on the day. Point us to the joints and we will get on with it. The work itself takes a few hours per window, depending on the condition of the joints, including the tidy-up. Somewhere like Play Hatch needs a little journey planning: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. We bring what the job needs, so it can be finished in one trip where possible.
- We check each window surround and the condition of the joint.
- The joint is raked out and cleaned.
- We fill deep gaps so the new mastic is not too thick.
- We point the joint with sand mastic by hand.
- The finish is dressed neatly.
Getting ready for the visit
- For indoor joints, keep the area dry beforehand if you can
- Keep pets and children clear of the area while we work
- Mention any leaks or damp you’ve noticed
Get a quote
We don’t publish a price list. Instead, your job gets its own clear quote. To get started, phone 0345 464 0079 or drop us an email.
Advice
DIY sealant or a professional job?
If you do try it yourself, take your time over the preparation: take out all the old sealant, make sure the joint is clean and dry, and give it the full cure time. If it fails, we can still redo it.
A careful DIYer can reseal a simple joint, such as a straightforward joint indoors. The common mistakes are sealing over old sealant, sealing a damp joint and using far too much.
When it isn’t the sealant
A few problems are outside what sealant work can do:
- Timber that has rotted
- Damaged stone surrounds
- Putty and glazing repairs
Not sure which it is? You can call 0345 464 0079 or drop us an email and we will tell you honestly before you book.
Surfaces we seal
- Sash and case windows
- Timber door frames
- Brick reveals
- Period & listed homes
- Tenement windows
- Stone surrounds
FAQs for Play Hatch
Can you do sand mastic in Play Hatch?
Yes, Play Hatch is within the area we cover. Our work covers London and the South East. Just phone 0345 464 0079 or drop us an email with a few details of the job, and we will give you a clear quote.
Do you work for landlords with property near Reading station?
Yes, landlords and agents are among the people we work for. Just call 0345 464 0079 or email us with the address and what needs doing, and we’ll give you a clear price.
Is consent needed for window work on a listed home?
Check with your local planning authority. They decide whether consent is needed for work to your windows.
Which is right for my windows, sand mastic or modern sealant?
It depends on the window. On many period windows, sand mastic looks right and suits the building, while modern frames normally get a flexible sealant.
Do you hold any approvals?
Yes. We’re an ARBOMaster approved applicator.
Will there be a smell?
That depends on the sealant. Some smell for a while, some hardly at all.
What do you need from me for a quote?
Just the basics: where it is, what you’ve noticed and how we reach it. After that, simply phone 0345 464 0079 or email us.
How long does the job take?
It depends on the size of the job, but most jobs take a few hours per window, depending on the condition of the joints. We’ll tell you when we quote.