Hertfordshire · England
Sand Mastic in Shephall
We cover Shephall for traditional burnt sand mastic around sash and case windows and doors in stone and brick. Old sealant removed completely, joints prepared properly.
- Cement or filler used on old window joints that has cracked
- Weathered mastic on the most exposed windows
- Mastic dropping out of the joint
About our sand mastic in Shephall
Sand mastic has long been used to fill the joint between timber frames and masonry. It’s a mix of sand and a linseed-oil-based binder and built up by hand. On older homes, it suits the building far better than silicone. We work on tenement windows, sash and case windows and brick reveals, and people most often call us about window mastic to renew ahead of painting and gaps where the frame meets the masonry.
In a smaller place like Shephall, some walls face open ground and catch the full force of the weather, so exposed windows and doors face the weather head on. The mastic around frames on those walls tends to age faster.
A one-year guarantee comes with the work, just as it does everywhere we cover.
- Location
- Shephall (SG2, SG1)
- Region
- Hertfordshire
- Cover
- 12 months on all our work
- Quotes
- A clear price before work begins
- Phone
- 0345 464 0079
- Updated
- 26 October 2026
The process
A visit follows a simple pattern: we look at the joints together, protect the area around them, do the work and clear up. It generally takes anything from a few hours to a full day, depending on how many windows. For a job in Shephall, we agree the time, the access and parking before the day. If the work is outside, the weather plays a part, as sealant needs a dry surface.
- We check the window surrounds and agree which joints need renewing.
- We rake out the old mastic and clean the joint.
- We pack any deep gaps so the mastic sits at the right depth.
- We mix the sand mastic and apply it by hand, shaping it to the joint.
- We dress the surface so it sits neatly against the masonry.
Before we arrive
- Let us know if you’ve seen damp or leaks
- Let us know about stairs, lifts or work at height
- Clear the area around the work
Ask for a quote
Call for a quick quote, or send an email if you’d rather. Describe what needs sealing and we will explain what’s involved and give you a clear quote.
Advice
Shephall homes and the weather
With historic houses such as Aston Bury (about 1.6 miles south-east) nearby, there’s older building stock in the area around Shephall as well as newer homes. Where a home is older, older frames set in brick or stone need a sealant that suits them, and sometimes that is traditional sand mastic. The South East is one of the drier parts of the UK, though outdoor sealant still has to go onto a dry joint, so the forecast decides the day.
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of Saint Mary, frames set in older brick or stone need a sealant that suits the wall as well as the frame. Letting a property close to Stevenage station? Then older sash windows in a rental need their mastic kept sound to keep the weather out.
Shephall is about 1 mile south of Stevenage, in Hertfordshire. Shephall gets the same service as everywhere we cover: old sealant removed completely, careful preparation and a 12-month guarantee. We cover 381 towns and villages across Hertfordshire. London is on our list too, about 27 miles from Shephall.
Work in SG2 and SG1 works the same way as everywhere else we cover. If you need sand mastic at a property on Unwin Road, Oxleys Road and Burwell Road or anywhere close by, we can help. If you’re just outside Shephall, we cover Aston (1 mile east), Bragbury End (1 mile south-east), Knebworth (2 miles south), Hook's Cross (2 miles south-east) and Woolmer Green (3 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Hemel Hempstead (15 miles south-west), St Albans (12 miles south-west), Bishop's Stortford (14 miles east), Welwyn Garden City (6 miles south), Harpenden (9 miles south-west) and Hitchin (6 miles north-west).
Near you in Shephall
Around Shephall, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Coopers Inn, The Heathcote School and Barnwell School and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Stevenage station, about 1.4 miles north-west of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Benington Castle (2.6 miles east) and Lister Hospital (2.7 miles north-west). For a walk, there’s Ridlins Mire.
When to call us in Shephall
Age is the main cause. Even well-laid mastic needs renewing in time, depending on exposure and upkeep.
Keep an eye out for any of the following:
- Gaps between timber frames and stone or brick
- Mastic worn away on windows facing the weather
- A silicone bead on a sash window that spoils the look
- Tired mastic found when preparing windows for paint
Schools such as Peartree Spring Primary School are buildings too, and its window and door frames need their mastic kept sound, just like a home’s.
Comparing quotes
- How the colour is chosen
- How much experience the applicator has
- Whether they seal over old material or remove it
- Whether they’re fully insured
What we can’t put right
We’ll always be straight with you, so here’s what sealant can’t fix:
- Sash cords, weights and draught-proofing of the sashes
- Damaged stone surrounds
- Decayed frames that need repair
If in doubt, ring 0345 464 0079 or email us and we’ll say what we think before you book.
Surfaces we seal
- Stone surrounds
- Sash and case windows
- Brick reveals
- Period & listed homes
- Timber door frames
- Tenement windows
What affects the quote in Shephall
You’ll get a clear quote before any work starts. It’s based on:
- How much old sealant there is and how hard it is to remove
- The number of rooms or windows
- Which sealant suits the joint
- Mould in or behind the old joints
The cost depends on the amount of work, how much old material has to come out and how easy the joints are to reach. We give a clear quote before any work starts, so you know where you stand.
What to tell us for a quote
Before you ask for a quote, have a think about:
- Whether it’s a home or a business
- Where the job is, and your postcode
- Any access issues, like height or stairs
- What the problem is, such as mould, gaps, leaks or cracking
Need a quote? Please call 0345 464 0079 or drop us an email and tell us about the job. We will explain what we’d do and give you a clear price before we start.
Common questions in Shephall
Should the sealant in an older Shephall home be renewed?
Often, yes: cracked, shrunken or mouldy sealant has done its job. The key is cutting all the old sealant out, as new sealant will not bond to it.
Do you cover smaller places like Shephall?
Yes, we do. Our work covers London and the South East, from towns to the smallest places. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
When will the new mastic be hard?
Not right away. The skin forms first, and the full set comes later, and we’ll tell you what to expect.
Do you work for letting agents?
Yes. We work for homeowners, landlords, letting agents, businesses and hotels.
What exactly is sand mastic?
It’s sand mixed with a linseed-oil-based binder, used between timber frames and stone or brick.
I rent my home. Can I book you?
We can work for tenants, landlords or agents. Get your landlord’s agreement first.
Do you hold any approvals?
Yes. We’re approved under the ARBOMaster scheme, the approved applicator scheme for Arbo sealants.
What sealant do you use?
Quality sealants from brands including Arbo and Everbuild, picked for each joint. We explain the product when we quote.
Can I do it myself?
The difference is mostly in the preparation and the product. Joints are cleaned back to sound surfaces and dried, and the sealant is matched to the joint and its conditions, and the work is guaranteed for a year.
A DIY attempt does not rule out a professional job. We remove it and do the joint properly.
Landlords, agents and businesses in Shephall
We work for letting agents and landlords as well as homeowners. Resealing between tenancies is a simple way to keep a property in good order before the next move-in.
For anyone letting property in or around Shephall, jobs at different addresses can go on one quote. Send us the addresses and the work at each.
Aftercare tips
Joint life depends on how it’s used and looked after. Here’s what we suggest:
- Have rotten timber repaired before new mastic goes in
- Plan mastic work ahead of painting
- Take care around the mastic when scraping paint
- Leave the new mastic unpainted
Do not run silicone over the new mastic. If anything cracks, get it looked at rather than patching it.
It’s best to renew mastic before painting the windows. Paint over cracked mastic only covers it up.