Breathable Stone Repair

As natural resources go, stone unarguably ranks among the most important in the UK. For centuries in many parts here, high-quality stone, thanks to its durability and versatility, was one of the most widely used building materials. Thus, in many communities, civic, ecclesiastical and industrial buildings, as well as houses, monuments and bridges, were made of stone.

From this, one can see that stone structures have over the years, played an indispensable role in defining the identity of many parts of the UK. One can go as far as arguing that concerning the cultural heritage of the UK, stone buildings remain one of the UK’s most treasured and iconic symbols. Sure, we have football and Earl Grey, both precious in their own right. But those two, just don’t come close to the regal beauty and architectural splendour you find in majestic stone houses. From Buckingham Palace to St Paul’s Cathedral and from Big Ben to Westminster Abbey, you simply cannot help but marvel at these icons that serve as reminders of our glorious past.

Types Of Building Stone

Now we must know that not all stones were created equal as some are more suited to building than others. To this end, we shall be discussing the three most widely used stones in construction. They are:

  • Sandstone

Sandstone is the softest building stone used. It is one of the more popular variants of sedimentary rock and has distinct “bedding” caused by its layered formation. This means that when using sandstone, it needs to be laid with the correct alignment of its bedding, which is usually horizontal. It is relatively soft and therefore, easy to carve. It, however, decays quickly, and its porous nature means it must be kept dry at all times and allowed to dry whenever it gets wet. Famous sandstone buildings in the UK are Harlech Castle, the Sheriff’s Court buildings, Central Glasgow and Castle Gates Library.

  • Granite

Granite is a durable hard stone which is usually pale or silvery grey. Unlike sandstone, granite is less porous and does not absorb water easily. This advantage, however, is negated somewhat by the fact that rain penetrates cracks and runs directly into the building instead of getting absorbed. Famous granite structures in the UK are Tower Bridge and Bell Rock Lighthouse.

  • Whinstone

The term whinstone is used to describe a range of dark coloured hard, dense rocks like basalt. Due to its hardness, it is not used for detail as much as sandstone is.

Now due to its widespread use in architectural detail and its peculiar weakness (its porous nature), the focus of this piece shall be mainly on the best methods of repairing sandstone.

Causes Of Damage To Sandstone

sandstone

As we have already mentioned, sandstone is particularly susceptible to damage. While weathering agents like wind, rain, frost and general atmospheric pollution are usually the main culprits in this regard, there are a few other causes which shall be discussed under this heading.

  • Excessive Moisture

Due to the porous nature of sandstone, moisture from leaks in gutters, downpipes, flashings or falling mastic around windows usually permeates the stone surface. If left unchecked, this causes stone decay over time.

  • Inappropriate Repairs

As surprising as this may sound, there are some repairs which worsen the condition of stonework. This usually happens when the wrong stone repair products are used. More on this shall be discussed later.

  • Human Contact

Due to an increasing interest in historic structures, human contact on stonework is gradually becoming one of the reasons for stone repair. Examples are stone floors worn away by foot traffic, graffiti and damage from souvenir hunters.

  • Plant Growth

The horizontal layers of sandstone make it highly susceptible to damage from plants. Small windblown seeds lodge in open joints of the stone, and corresponding root growth causes severe damage

  • Rusting Cramps

When cramps used to hold stones together are not rustproof, they rust when exposed to wetting and eventually break the stone.

With this bit being tidied up, it is time to get to the real business of the day,

Sandstone Repair: What You Thought You Knew

stone repair

The advent of the internet has made information on almost any subject available to anyone. This, in turn, has seen a rise in the number of people performing tasks previously meant for professionals only. A perfect example of this is the time honoured art of masonry, which has seen an increase in the number of amateur stone workers (or DIYers as our friends from across the pond call them).

Stone Cleaning and Repairs – Call: 01268 755590

For instance, a simple Google search on how to repair sandstone would instantly provide you with information usually not privy to those outside professional circles. Your search results would probably be something like “Step 1: Clear the damaged region. Step 2: Mix the cement…”. When you come across information like this, we have only one piece of advice for you. Flee. You’ll learn why in a minute.

Cement Based Mortar For Stone Repair: To Be Or Not To Be?

Sometime around the 19th century, Portland cement was developed. The novelty of this discovery, coupled with the fact that it dried faster and was easier to work with, saw it replace traditional binders. Today, many firms still make stone repair products from cement but based on our professional experience (and research), this is far from ideal.

The reason for this is simple. Cement, due to its hardness and lack of permeability is what experts refer to as non-breathable mortar. The term non-breathable is used in masonry circles to refer to material which traps moisture and salts within the stone. During winter months (or whenever it rains in fact) the trapped water is subjected to repeated freezing and thawing, causing underlying damage to the sandstone. Eventually, the cement repair fails, leaving the sandstone in a worse off state than before. It is also important to point out that cement repairs on sandstone ruin the beauty of the stone and more often than not, end up looking even worse than the original weathered stonework.

Now with cement based stone repair products out of the way for good, we find ourselves faced with one big question? What sandstone repair products are the most effective in repairing damaged stone?

Breathable Stone Repair: The Perfect Solution

At this point, you may probably be wondering “if not cement, what else then? What are the suitable sandstone repair products one can use?” Lime based products are perhaps some of the most effective in repairing damaged stone. Before the advent of Portland cement in the 19th century, natural lime was traditionally used as a binder in mortars and plasters. And today, its popularity seems to have returned as more and more people become aware of its benefits. There are two different types of lime used in stone repair – hydraulic lime and non-hydraulic lime. Hydraulic lime usually appears in the form of bagged powder and is therefore much easier for builders as it is similar to working with cement. On the other hand, non-hydraulic lime is in putty form and thus, softer, slower to set and a bit trickier to use.

Benefits Of Lime-Based Stone Repair

When it comes to repairing damaged sandstone, few things are as effective as lime-based products. Some of the benefits are:

  • It is breathable

Unlike cement, lime-based mortar is breathable. This means it is vapour permeable. So rather than retain water which eventually damages the stonework, it absorbs and evaporates moisture from surrounding masonry – thus, protecting the stonework from salt and frost damage. This quality alone shows the superiority of lime products in making sandstone repair mortar.

  • Flexibility

The mortar used in repairs is meant to be softer than the surrounding masonry. This is necessary to allow for the expansion of trapped water when it freezes. Now as sandstone is notably soft, regular cement is the worst material one can use in making repairs. Sandstone repair fillers made from lime are, however, known for their low modulus of elasticity. They are incredibly flexible and allow for movement and thermal expansion.

  • It is sympathetic

As we have already mentioned, lime-based mortar is by far softer than modern cement. This is another advantage as softer mortar will not wear away the surrounding masonry over time. In addition to this, you can easily reclaim bricks and stones whenever they get dismantled.

Aside from large scale commercial repairs, several home remedies exist to repair minor cracks in stone. These remedies are specifically suited to sandstone and are thus, recommended above your usual Google search results.

One of such ways is by sandstone repair resin or epoxy. These usually come with pigments to match the colour of the stone in question. Mix the pigments with the epoxy and carefully inject the mixture into the crack and leave to harden for 24 hours. Stone repair resin is particularly useful as you don’t need prior experience in stonework before knowing how to apply it.

In Conclusion

Regular cement is in its rights, a brilliant product. However, about repairing stonework, it pales quite embarrassingly, next to breathable repairs made from lime based products. This is because apart from the unique advantages already mentioned above, breathable lime-based repairs have the added benefit of being eco-friendly. They produce less carbon dioxide than cement and even go on to re-absorb same, thus leading to a reduced carbon footprint.

They also as a bonus, retain the natural beauty of the stone and go on to reveal the colour and characteristics of the aggregate used in the mixing process.

breatheable stone repair

Historic Building Restoration

For many people, the term “historic” means “old.” Old things may not be worth any trouble. However, there is a saying: “Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.” For contractors, there are lots of valuable, practical and cultural reasons for historic building restoration. And, preservation. Historic buildings are a part of your city’s history and heritage. They can offer opportunities for the future growth of your society.

Historical buildings are made with durable and long-lasting materials. The materials make them a considerable investment. Also, they often have a specific kind of craftsmanship and architectural design. The designs cannot be duplicated. Perhaps you deal with historic buildings. Maybe you need more knowledge on mansory and brick restoration, reading through this would help you a great deal.

Approaches To Handling Historic Properties

There are set standards on how you can treat historic properties. Treating them well will maximize their benefits. There are four approaches to managing landmark buildings. They are rehabilitation, reconstruction, preservation, and restoration. We present these approaches from the least, to the most intervention.

  • Rehabilitation

Rehabilitating a historic building acknowledges the requirement to add or alter the property. This is so it meets its changing or continuing uses. At the same time, it should retain its historic character. This is a simplified approach to treating historic buildings. And, there are flexible standards regarding the rehabilitation of historic properties at the local, state and federal level.

  • Reconstruction

This approach recreates the non-surviving or vanishing aspects of the historic building. Reconstructing these aspects are for interpretative objectives. Their restoration does not mean the total change of the broken artifacts or their disposal. It means remolding them but sustaining their former significance.

  • Preservation

Preservation of historic buildings focuses on maintaining their stabilization. It also involves the repair of their existing historic equipment. Preserving historic properties means its retention in property form as it evolves.

  • Restoration

Restoration of a historical building depicts that the property is in existence at a precise time in its history. Consequently, the evidence of it being available in other previous times are removed. It may be that some aspects of the building have lost their heritage. Restoring the building brings back such significance.

Benefits Of Historical Building Restoration

historic building

  • Restoring Buildings Strengthens Communities

Restoration of historic buildings is assets to your community. In some cities, reconstruction can look absurd if the historic buildings are constructed in the middle of an ancient society. This can make it challenging to rent out or sell the reconstructed property. The Advisory Council for Historic Preservation asserts that home values within a historical environment rise faster. These values are more prominent there than in modern areas. Hence, buyers will be willing to pay a premium for buildings in historic districts.

  • Historic Buildings Are Culturally Rich

A community is said to be rich in culture when it has a substantial appearance of historical eras. Even the residents are prideful of their community’s history. Instead of demolishing your historical buildings, their restoration and rehabilitation will give a positive effect on your neighborhood.

  • Historical Buildings Are Visually Appealing

Restoration of historic buildings does not only present opportunities for money saving. This is because preserving the building materials is a responsible way to invest in visual appeals. Also, historic building restoration preserves natural resources. It provides you with attractive and usable buildings on developed lands. It is beneficial to contractors as it gives them existing elements of architectural history that cannot be duplicated. As a centre of attraction for tourism, you can benefit some revenue from historical buildings.

  • Historic Buildings Are Unique

Restoration of historical buildings safeguards their uniqueness. So much that it is difficult to find another building similar to the old ones, or with the same significance. When visitors enter historic buildings, they experience a nostalgic feeling each time which no other kind of structure can provide. Thus, every landmark building is unique in itself.

Dangers Of Not Restoring Historic Buildings

As stated earlier, the restoration of historic buildings gives them intrinsic value. They are assets to the communities in which they exist, as well as to the residents of such communities. Tearing down an ancient building is not a great move. You never can tell exactly what you are destroying in it. Some of these buildings are of a particular era, and they constitute rare materials such as heart pine or hardwood. These materials are got from old-growth forests which may not exist any longer.

Destroying the historic building can lead to damaging elements of history that you can never retrieve. Apart from this consequence, you may lose the opportunity to use the building as a historic landmark which serves as its selling point. The potential buyers would like to know the history of the buildings they want to move into. This is because the foundational history of the building contributes to the personality of such a building. Historical restoration aims to keep the identity and character of the building intact, to attract not only but also tourists and foreigners to the building.

How Does Historic Building Restoration Work?

The restoration of a historic building is usually done with a doff cleaning system. Using high-pressure steam, the doff system involves cleaning all kinds of mansory, concrete, and stonework. The temperature is high, but the volume of water is low. When this is used with gentle pressure, it easily removes grime, dirt, and debris on the building.

The doff cleaning system is compatible with historic buildings during restoration. The cleaning machines refrain the quantity of water required. Every drop goes to coursing the structures without any waste. Besides the minimal energy needed to operate and the lack of caustic or harmful chemicals required, the doff steam cleaners provide a low carbon footprint. This is a high selling point for people who deal with large historic buildings and wish to remain and contribute to a neater environment.

Due to the low pressure of this method, the surface of the structure or building does not become saturated with moisture. And, when the temperature is on an average level, the exterior of the building can dry within minutes. This, therefore, is perfect for historic properties or structures which are constructed with unusual, potentially delicate materials. The materials require a more sensitive touch.

Many masonry and brick managers rely on the doff cleaning system to terminate algae, fungi, and moss. This is due to the elimination of live and visible spores. Hidden spores are killed too. This method prevents the regrowth of these organisms. Thereby, it keeps the surfaces clean for several years. The doff cleaning system eliminates the requirement of a chemical biocide for protection against unwanted biological activities.

Other Uses Of The Doff Cleaning System In Historic Building Restoration

Cleaning with the doff system is exceptionally versatile. It is useful in removing many common and hard blemishes and stains. They include:

  • Removing wax coatings
  • Removing paint coatings
  • Remove paint from brick
  • Destroying bird fouling or unsightly vermin
  • Removing certain kinds of graffiti

Listed Building Restoration

The success of your restoration project, especially when it involves listed buildings, depends solely on the experience and skills of the workers you employ for it. If your building is listed, the entire structure will be protected. It includes internal features. This means that any restoration will require consent for the listed building. The planning period is initially critical. It will distinguish between the merely adequate and perfect result.

Who To Employ For Your Listed Building Restorations

At the least, you should hire an architect for your listed building to bring restoration ideas. Then you need a structural engineer. The engineer should advise you on the best way to achieve those ideas. Also, you need reputable consultants. They will ensure that your listed building restoration project conforms to the instructions of planners. And, it will be acceptable to listed building officials.

How To Get A Listed Building Restoration Consent

Getting a listed building consent to validate your restoration process is obtainable. This is possible when you submit your application to the council. However, if you plan to work on both the exterior and interior parts of the building, you will also need to tender an application. The application is for planning permission. Although, the controls of listed buildings take precedence. You may also need to reconsider your restoration project if the listed building situates in a conservation area.

Being the owner of a listed building does not mean that you are prevented from creating an exemplary space. Space which perfectly harmonises with its historical context. That is, before the original listing. Find a company that will help you achieve this restoration. Your contractor and local conservation team should assist you. They should design your whole building without compromising the unique features of such a structure.

At Basildon Stone, we are competent in historic building restorations. Also, in stone conservations, repairs, cleaning, and protection. We employ a vast range of techniques. We aim to attain the required and appropriate solution to problems affecting your old buildings. Our consultants give accurate advice on the proposed restoration project of your building. Preserving the originality of your historic building is our utmost interest!

historic building restoration infographic

Natural Stone Care Do’s and Don’ts | Infographic

Natural stone at your home and office is an incredible investment that will give you many years of services. Stone is a natural product and simple care and maintenance will keep it looking beautiful. Here is the infographic covering all necessary routine care and cleaning of natural stone.

Stones are the natures product and cannot be manufactured. Regular dusting mopping, vacuuming, and sweeping of your natural stone floors will prevent the accumulation of dirt, sand, or grit.

When cleaning the dirt keep in mind to never use abrasive cleaners or mix any kind of harsh chemical like bleach which can take away the pH balance of the natural stone surface. Use any chemical oriented cleaner as recommended and instructed. Also, don’t use the harsh cleaners directly on the surface of the natural stones, always dilute it with a little amount of water.

If you are looking for someone who specializes in services like cleaning all stone and brick facades, Basildon Stone Ltd., has you covered. If you need complete professional service, get in contact with us today. If you require stone cleaning, brick cleaning, paint removal, graffiti removal or surface protection call us today and get a free quote.

stone care dos and donts

6 STEPS FOR COMMERCIAL STONE CLEANING | INFOGRAPHIC

Placing natural stones at your home or office is completely a worth investment. Stones is something that is completely natural and can be kept shining with just little bit of care and maintenance. And thus, many a time people assume that stones are stainless, we are here to burst that bubble. Yes, natural stones do get stained due to number of reasons. Sometimes it can be due to weather changes, pollution, excess use of chemical oriented cleaners or spillage.

When hiring a stone cleaning company, they will initially inspect the site where the work is to be done. This will allow them to understand the types of stains and the methods best for the stains along with the written quotation.

It is important to clean the work site thoroughly before getting your hands dirty. Keep the surface dry before applying the cleaning solution. It is important that you choose the correct cleaner solution, as any mistake in selection of cleanser can leave the stone surface damaged. Once the stone flooring is polished, a good sealant is used to ensure stone restoration last longer.

When looking for experts in stone cleaning and brick cleaning Basildon Stone Ltd. is the one for you. We not only offer stone restoration but also graffiti removal to all areas in and around Essex. For more information contact us today and get a free quote.

6stepsforcommercial

Exterior Stone Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

Stone is one of the oldest building materials that is still popular among builders today, mainly for exterior walls and to highlight some interior wall sections. Stone exterior gives your home or commercial property a rustic, elegant natural look as well as offers an affordable appeal with minimal renovations. Whether marble, slate, sandstone, granite or any other type of natural stone, a stone can be a great selection for the external walls of your structure, making it to stand out among glass and steel walls.

But Here is the Challenge!

Though stone exterior is a modern fashion that makes your building look attractive as well as complements its natural environment, the great appearance may only last for a short while after installation. If you are having stained, cracked or corroded stone external walls, you are not alone. Like other building materials such as steel, bricks and glass, the beauty of your stone outer walls can easily be washed away by environmental factors and human activities. But there’s nothing to worry about.

I have good news! Being a natural material, with simple stone cleaning and maintenance, can keep your building stone faces looking natural and cleaning today and for many years. In other words, you can protect the natural beauty of your outer walls as well as restore affected walls within a small budget. Below are some helpful care and maintenance tips that can safeguard your investment for years.

What are the Advantages of Using Stone for Exterior Material?

Though more expensive than other available options in the market, stone exterior walls offers several lasting benefit to property owners. These benefits include:

1. Attractive Appearance

When you want to give your building a classical feel and sustainable outer beauty, stone walls can be a great choice. You can choose rough or unfinished designs as well as blend combine stones with other exterior materials to produce unique look with a natural touch. Moreover, stone exterior is a sign of durability which can increase your home value.

2. Flexible Design and Styles

Stone is available in various types, textures, shapes and colours, giving you a wide range of architectural designs to choose from based on your taste and preference.

3. Durability

Very few materials are harder than natural stone making them durable for external wall building. Stones are more resistant to ice, rain, sun, wind or damage from living organisms. They can also endure fire and moisture which translates to less renovation costs.

4. Environmental Friendly

In most places stones are available locally, hence no transportation required. This minimizes emission of toxic gas which is a major air pollutant. Besides, stones make permanent structure reducing the rate at which new materials are harvested.

Want To Know Natural Stone Cleaning Tips?
Check this: CLEANING & MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR NATURAL STONE

Key Exterior Stone Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

stone maintenance tips

1. Understanding the Common Causes of Exterior Stone Damages

Stone walls are vulnerable to a number of weather and human elements which can stain or corrode the surfaces thereby spoiling both the beauty and strength aspect of stone walls.

• Rain and Air Pollution

Minerals and chemical pollutants in the air or rain water can form acidic compounds which wear out the stone damaging the physical appearance and weakening your structure.

• Ice and Snow

If your exterior stone is poorly sealed or maintained, it can trap ice in small cracks on the stone which melts down. This allows water into the metallic material supporting the stones. This can lead to the rusting of the supportive metal creating major damages.

• Dust

Dust can accumulate on the stone surfaces, and if not regularly cleaned, can give your stone faces a dull and old look. If ignored for a long time, dust and other debris can stain your exterior surfaces.

• Human Activities

Human errors during installation can expose your stone walls allow water to penetrate into the stone which can result to permanent damages. Other human damages include poor drainage and graffiti.

2. Preventing Stone Exterior Damages

One of the most effective and less expensive ways to keep your exterior stone looking clean and new is to protect the outer walls against the various vulnerabilities. This avoids serious damages which can lead to expensive renovations. This involves ensuring that initial installations, routine maintenance and repairs are done correctly. You can rely on exterior stone wall maintenance experts from Basildon Stone to ensure all the works are carried out by trained personnel using the right tools and cleaning products. This minimizes chances of human error, which can result to bigger stone problems.

3. Exterior Stone Inspection

There are two types of inspections:

• Routine Inspection

It is important to examine your structure outer walls at least twice every year to confirm the overall stone work is in good condition. This helps to identify exterior stone issues at an early stage, so that you can counter them before they advance to serious problems. Regular inspection examines stains, corrosion and cracks among other faults on the surface.

• Pre-Maintenance Inspection

Before cleaning or repairing your walls, it is critical to assess the maintenance needs such as determine the stone type, identify and gauge the extent of destruction so as to choose the right care process and products. Some stone problems may require major renovations while others can be restored with simple cleaning.

4. Cleaning and Restoration

Every type of exterior stone whether granite, limestone or marble needs to be cleaned and refurbished from time to time to keep them at their best condition. However, the cleaning and renovation process should be done by a professional, since there are several methods based on the type of stone and the degree of damage identified during the inspection. You can consult Basildon Stone to learn the best cleaning method for your building.

A general process comprise of:

——— Step 1: ——————

Establish a cleaning plan – This involves preparing the suitable cleaning equipment, cleaners, and the whole cleaning process. Some stone exteriors are acid-sensitive, so you should avoid acid-based products. Stone soap, neutral cleaners and mild liquid washing detergents are recommended for most outer stone surfaces, but Basildon Stone specialists can always advice you on the best products and tools for cleaning your structure exterior.

——— Step 2: ——————

Cleaning process – Use clean water and recommended cleaners to mop away sand particles, dust, stains and any unnatural marks on the stone and rinse the services with clean water. Sometimes clean warm water gives the best result. The goal is to clear any stains, paints or drawing on the walls to restore back their natural look and colour.

——— Step 3: ——————

Restoring the exterior stone – After cleaning, some extra stone work may be necessary store the stone surfaces back to their original natural look. This may involve polishing and buffing to reinforce and restore the surface back to its normal condition and appearance.

——— Step 4: ——————

Protective measures – After gaining back your structure outer stone physical appearance, you can go an extra mile to prevent future damages. This includes sealing and caulking to protect the stone against damages by making it more stain, rust and water resistant as well as prevent dust, ice and salt deposits. You may need professional help to identify the best sealer for your walls.

5. Sustain a Regular Cleaning and Maintenance Schedule

Regular exterior stone maintenance can save you money and time. It is important to have your structure exterior cleaned and restored regular, preferably twice a year to avoid costly repairs as well as maintain an elegant structure look. This will uncover developing stone problem, so that they can be addressed in a timely manner before they escalate beyond repair.

6. Professional Skills and Safety Matters

In a DIY-minded society, I know you would prefer to take the cleaning tasks by yourself. This can be good, but only if you have the relevant skills and equipment. Otherwise, you need to work with the help of a trained professional with knowledge about the processes and tools for the tasks. Besides, some of the cleaning and maintenance tasks must be undertaken by a certified technician for the purpose of compliance.

However, you can always consult Basildon Stone experts and learn how you can handle some of these processes. Before you start cleaning or repairing damaged stone exterior, always ensure that you have the right safety equipment that can keep you safe even when you are working on high walls.

Also Check:
HOW TO REMOVE GRAFFITI FROM DIFFERENT SURFACES

Conclusion

You can choose stone exterior to give your property an elegant appearance. Many buildings such as hotels, schools, residential homes, commercial building as well as other structures like monuments looks classically natural and unique with outer stone surface. However, if neglected the beauty of your exterior stone is only short lived due to possible damages. Thus regular cleaning and maintenance is critical to keep your exterior surfaces in their natural attractiveness.

Moreover, working with a person with skills and experience on stone maintenance can help you maintain the beauty of your investment for years within a manageable budget. If you are sick and tired of your algae infested exterior, or you want to get rid of notorious stains on your outer walls, you can talk to Basildon Stone for guidance and professional assistance. If your stone surfaces looks as clean as new, it is important to realize that only through routine maintenance and cleaning you can maintain the attractiveness.

New Techniques and Trends in Stone Cleaning

The structural heritage of our home is something we all like to preserve for long. Even though we know that we won’t be able to stay alive forever to cherish the memorable corners of the house, we wish it stays erect throughout the years so that people can admire the architectural structure and praise our choice.

But setting the trends with the designs and structure of the buildings is not as easy as it seems, more so, when the buildings are made up of stone or brick finishing. The adverse climatic conditions or the prolonged non-maintained property issues take a toll on the building structure at times and summons it to damage and decay.

The materials become shredding and the colouration becomes faded, which does not at all look good visually, let alone being efficient in holding the structure for long. The stone or bricks in the house need to be treated frequently either by the homeowners or the experts in the niche, to have control over any kind of trouble that bothers the quality of the materials and compromises with the sustenance as well. However, we as stone cleaning experts use latest trends and technologies to clean the structural heritage.

We are going to discuss such few techniques here, which are setting trends in the stone cleaning department. Let’s explore

  • Pressure washing

As is evident by the name, pressure washing of the stone surfaces refers to cleaning it entirely by the powerful water spray to doze off any kind of dirt accumulation or building up of mosses or grime on the stone surfaces. As we all well aware of the fact that water pressure has immense power in it, whereby this technique is used by the stone cleaners to get rid of dirt and other pollutant accumulation on the stone surface. But one must take precautions before applying this technique as any loose end on the stone fixation or other such factors can lead to more damages to the surface than the regular dirt and all!

  • Torc cleaning

This kind of stone cleaning is used for removal of hard stains, paints, grease, graffiti, etc. from the stone surfaces. This technique is mostly used in case of masonry buildings and structural heritages and uses a combination of compressed air, water, fine abrasive to clean the stone surfaces. The paint coatings or brittle soiling are also removed by implementing this technique.

  • Wet treatment

This treatment of stone cleaning mainly involves using soaps, detergents, organic cleaning agents and non-harming chemicals to clean the stone surfaces of dirt and other pollutant accumulation. You can use a soft cloth or other such cleaning agents to wash off the dirt and thereby manage the wet treatments through the easiest way possible.

  • Latex cleaning

It is a challenging and difficult technique to clean the stone structures but the experts in the business can handle the woes well. The latex is used to form a membrane upon the stony surfaces and it has the ability to clean off years of dirt and soil deposits from the stone surfaces very easily. It takes time and labour but the end result pays off well.

  • Regular inspecting and cleaning

Apart from all other techniques of stone cleaning and maintenance, there is no other substitute like regular inspection and cleaning of the stone surfaces. It is beneficial in many ways and any damage and dirt accumulation can be detected and treated well in advance before any severe damage to the surfaces. It is understandable that taking time out for regular maintenance of the stony surfaces is a bit difficult for people these days who lead a busy life and hustles everyday between professional and personal commitments, managing it at least once a while can be beneficial for them in many ways and save them greater hazards in the long run.

To conclude,

We all want our house to look good, be it the interiors or the exteriors! But sometimes, due to lack of knowledge for the same or being short of time to look after the facade cleaning, we tend to lose out on the cleaning department for long. And one fine day, when the damages become noticeable and it starts to show delicate signs of erosion, do we realize that it needs cleaning and maintenance.

This Is more likely to happen when the exteriors or interiors are made of stone; as with passing time and non-maintenance of the stones, it becomes delicately stained or destructive and thus, starts becoming eroded until it Is taken care of well. So, it is highly recommended to the homeowners to take out some time to clean the stone surfaces regularly or at least opt for complete cleaning treatments once in a while so that it does not lead to severe damages in the long run.

TECHNIQUES TO REPAIR AND RESTORE YOUR BUILDING EXTERIORS | INFOGRAPHIC

Exterior cleaning of the building is periodic maintenance activity which has to take place at least once in a year. Reason being, the atmospheric pollutants, biological growth, algae and other stains caused by moisture or prolonged dampness on the exterior of the building gradually damages the beauty and structure of the building.

Any exterior cleaning activity should be done by an experienced contractor who has the better knowledge of the process, which will make the overall activity hassle free for you. This activity primarily involves brick cleaning and stone cleaning, paint and graffiti removal, window restoration and rooftop cleaning from the building.

Cleaning can be performed by various methods such as chemical cleaning, or using environment-friendly substitutes, pressurized cold or hot water wash. Be careful while cleaning terra cotta, masonry or stone surfaces as they are delicate and prone to damage easily.

Graffiti and paint removal from the surface like wood, will need an extra care during the process. However, removing from the metal can be an easy one. Window restoration is a time-consuming activity as it needs minute attention while repairing the sides and corners. Rooftop repairing is hard to do a task, because finding a small leak is a bit difficult, and that can eventually damage your adjacent walls. Hence, always consult a professional for these activities, because taking these activities as the DIY project can backfire land you in trouble. Look for the infographics tips, it can yield you the some of the best results.

 

Techniques-to-Repair-and-Restore-your-Building-Exteriors

Cleaning & Maintenance Tips For Natural Stone

It is a fact that with time even the best of architectures fall apart and become shady. The glowing designs and the beautiful external appearance becomes pale and faded. It is a result of the adverse climatic conditions and the continuous exposure of pollution that the building architecture loses its glow.

And no one can prevent this from happening as because controlling the weather conditions or the pollution is not on our hands. The least we can do to maintain the architectural heritage of our properties is by rooting for proper maintenance and care of the structures.

The natural stone cravings used on the buildings must be cleaned regularly to sustain the luminosity of it. As it is of sparkling nature, the natural stones are not easy to maintain or clean but with the knowledge and tips about the same, you can still have a better stone cleaning done as compared to the other structural kinds.

Let’s get to know these stone cleaning guideline in details so that we can save them from erosion or from losing the charm of the heritage properties

  • Know your stone first

Every natural stone on your house is not of the same equality or material. They have different versions and versatilities and so, not all cleaning methods suit all of them. That’s why, before proceeding for the cleaning process, you have to identify the type of stone on your house. They can be calcareous and siliceous which further differentiates into limestone, marble, granite, slate, sandstone, soapstone and other such formulations.

The calcareous stones are highly reactive to the acidic substances and therefore such types of cleanser must be avoided for the same. The siliceous stones are a bit less reactive towards acid and thus can be used for the cleaning purposes. This is the reason why it is recommended that you know your stone quality well before opting for its cleanliness.

  • Choose the sealants wisely

When you choose the right kind of sealants, half the purpose of cleansing is already achieved. The natural stones often consist of such material which absorbs the liquids and people do the mistake of choosing such sealants which are high in liquids. When you use these sealants, it will definitely clean the stone surface but most of the times are unable to remove the etching of the stone or shows a minimum effect in dealing with discolouration issues also. That’s why you should choose such sealants which do more good than harm.

  • Use damp sponges or clothes for the cleaning purpose

Always opt for softer clothing or damp sponges for cleaning the natural stone surfaces as they make a suitable cleaning agent by not harming the surface extremely. You must also use pH-neutral cleaning agents on the sponges to avoid causing any harm to the natural stone surface.

  • Don’t use abrasive cleaners or rough products for the cleaning purpose

Never ever use a rough clothing or abrasive cleaners for cleaning the natural stones as they may prove very harmful for the stone surface. In severe cases, they might even rip off the surfaces and damage the natural stones unconditionally. Use brushes which have soft bristles are recommended the best for cleaning the stone surfaces.

  • Regular and consistent cleaning must be brought into effect

Most people generally neglect the idea of cleaning the natural stones regularly, irrespective of whether it is placed in the interiors of their house or exteriors. It is understandable that taking out time of the busy schedules every day and cleaning the stones might not be possible for all but it would be great if you can hire someone or attend the housemaid for the work.

As because the regular cleansing of the natural stone keeps the shine and glow retained for a longer period and saves it from further eradication. When you don’t clean the surfaces of the stones regularly the stains become harder and the damage and discolouration show a harsher effect on the stones.

  • Use organic substance for stain cleaning rather than opting for chemical means

You should use the natural cleansing agents more often rather than using the chemical or acidic means for the purpose. As these chemical agents are more likely to cause harm to the stones, avoiding them is the best option.

The stone cleaning London tends to provide services to the citizens of the UK for minimal costs with better results. You can hire them anytime you feel like cleaning your building or house of the dirt and stains. It is not always easy for us to regularly work on the cleaning of the natural stone so we need to hire experts for doing the same for us. And when we get cost-effective cleanliness of our home then why not opt for the services? After all, a cleaner house leads to a better health and environment.

Why Your Building’s Stone Exterior Needs Regular Cleaning & Maintenance

London’s landscape is home to numerous beautiful stone buildings. Stone after all is a proven material as far as the exteriors of any buildings are concerned. In fact, countless houses in the city and around the country use stone prominently in their facades. The novelty value of stone is without peer and if yours is a professional building, stone definitely helps you stand out from a crowd full of glass and steel structures.

But while it does offer a fantastic appearance, stone needs regular care to maintain that appearance. It’s susceptible to environmental factors (regardless of whether they are manmade or natural), which can cause stains, breakage, or even corrosion. If you are the owner of a stone-faced building, these are issues you must pre-empt and even if they do occur, stop them dead in their tracks.

What are the threats to exterior stone?

Stone is as vulnerable to the elements as other building materials like glass and metal. In fact, air pollution and rain (of the acid kind) are two foremost causes of damage to stone exteriors.

Both elements carry several minerals and micro-pollutants that harm stone. For instance, sulphates are chemicals that can erode stone surfaces and are passed to the stone by air as well as rain. If not checked in time, this can impact not only the stone’s appearance but also its function and sooner than later, leaves other parts of the building exposed to the elements.

The effect of salts, which are present in the rain or even within the stone, is along similar lines. They cause stains and other structural damage, especially when the stone is left untreated or wrongly installed. Water is able to penetrate the stone rather easily and over a period of time, ruins the stone’s appearance by bringing its minerals to the fore.

Stone’s problems do not stop at that. Even ice and snow are capable of degrading a stone façade irreparably. Improperly sealed or unmaintained stone can develop cracks, where water from the ice or snow enters and freezes. When this ice thaws, it dislocates the stone which further opens up the metal structure to the water’s corrosive action.

There are also several stone problems caused by human error. For instance, wrong installation that lets water in, low-grade caulking, and even graffiti are all capable of damaging stone. Issues related to drainage are also responsible for stone damage as it’s known to cause water leakages.

Preventing these threats to exterior stone

Cleaning stone buildings regularly is the only way to preserve their appearance and integrity. This not only prevents grime, dust and other elements from marring the stone’s appearance, but also averts future damage to the structure itself.

Regardless of whether your building’s exterior uses limestone or features granite veneers, regular washing and restoration is a must. Consult a professional stone cleaning firm on how to go about cleaning, restoring, and protecting your building’s stone façade. And although no two cleaning projects are the same, there are some aspects common to all.

  • Inspecting the building – Even if all that you want is a cleaning of the building’s external surface, a thorough assessment of its various problems is necessary. That’s because it’s important to ascertain if the damage (if any) is surface-level or goes deeper. In case of the latter, repairs are performed before any cleaning process starts.
  • Creating a cleaning strategy – Once a stone surface has been evaluated for damage, an appropriate cleaning method is chosen. For instance, there are several façade stones that do not take well to acid-based stone cleaning products. The professional cleaner you’ve entrusted the job to will know which cleaning agent is safe for use on your particular stone façade. A thorough clean, even if it’s only with high-pressure water, can restore the stone’s aesthetic appeal instantly.
  • Restoring the exterior stone – If your stone façade hasn’t been cleaned for some time now, it might need some buffing, polishing, or other restorative work. This is an important step in returning your building’s look back to how it was.
  • Ensuring future protection – Once you’ve achieved the desired look, it’s time to protect the stone from future damage. After the cleaning and polishing procedure is done with, the stone should be sealed so that no water is able to get in. Also mandatory is proper caulking and closing of gaps and cracks in the stone’s vicinity. These measures ensure the stone façade and your building is protected from rust, ice heaves, salt deposits, and water damage for years to come.
  • Drawing up a regular maintenance schedule – Stone is like any other exterior material and thus, needs regular cleaning and maintenance. You can contract a cleaning service firm to take care of your building’s stone exterior. Doing so saves you from the eventuality of paying for expensive repairs in the long-term. Moreover, when you clean the building’s stone regularly, water alone is enough to get it spanking clean. And when compared to other stone cleaning methods, washing with water is by far the cheapest.

Stone is beautiful and has a timeless appeal to it that’s unmatched. But contrary to popular perceptions, it needs regular cleaning and maintenance to not only uphold its appearance but also prolong its life.

WHAT IS WET ABRASIVE CLEANING AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

What is sandblasting?

Wet abrasive cleaning method is used in various professions. The process involves removing a surface by utilising a stream of concentrated, incredibly fine sand.

It has a range of different purposes such as smoothing a surface that is rough or roughening a smooth surface to give it some much-needed texture. You may also find that the it is used to give a decorative look to metals.

What about around the home? Well, a stone cleaning machine could be used as a fresh alternative to sandpaper. Wet abrasive cleaning can also be used to completely remove contaminants from a surface.

To create the stream of fine sand, a pressurised fluid, often compressed air will be used to blast the material. Interestingly, there are actually a variety of different forms of abrasive cleaning depending on the use you need.

Sand is also one of the many materials that can be used for the abrasive cleaning process though easily one of the most powerful. As such, if you are looking to smooth metal, this is the material necessary to do it.

What are the benefits of abrasive cleaning?

When you’re asking the question: what is wet abrasive cleaning, you should also be considering the benefits of this technique. There are numerous benefits to consider, particularly when comparing the option to using sandpaper.

Firstly, it’s a lot faster than using sandpaper and working by hand which is far less efficient. If you are working to a deadline or thinking in terms of turnaround time, abrasive cleaning is always going to be the ideal option.

Using abrasive cleaning equipment, you can also make sure that faded or old surfaces are removed evenly rather than a finished product that looks a little messy. One of the reasons for this is that a cleaning machine will allow you to reach the difficult corners and problem areas.

This in part makes it highly useful for removing issues like rust. Rust of course, causes damage to property and you need to remove it as soon as it becomes an issue. Abrasive cleaning presents you with clear way to do this.

As far as uses go, the process will help preserve the durability and indeed the longevity or everything from fittings to furniture in your home.

What types of abrasive blasting are there?

As already mentioned, there are a massive range of different types of abrasive blasting beyond sandblasting. For instance, a common alternative to using silica sand is using a wet process. Wet abrasive blasting does not cause hazardous dust and as such may be favoured by some industries. As well as this, with wet abrasive blasting, it’s possible to use soap and water, simultaneously blasting and degreasing.

Bead blasting is another possibility, and this process uses fine glass beads propelled at a high pressure but not damaging the surface that is being worked on. This can be accomplished using a bead blaster or a similar piece of equipment.

One of the main uses for this type of abrasive blasting is to remove deposits of calcium from pool tiles and other surfaces. One of the benefits of this type of blasting is that it can be used to clean materials that would be damaged if sand was used.

It is worth pointing out that sandblasting can also be automated. With automated blasting, it is usually the part of a much longer list of processes or an overall procedure. If abrasive blasting is automated  then care must be taken to ensure that the the blasting chamber is separated from other mechanisms.

A wide variety of materials can be used for abrasive blasting. One of the most interesting examples of this is perhaps dry-ice blasting. Dry ice and air can be used, and the process is effective at dislodging contaminants.

Should I hire a professional?

While it is possible to rent equipment and complete sandblasting yourself, it may be more beneficial to use a professional service. Professionals have access to the best sandblasting equipment, and with tools like this, it’s possible to guarantee fantastic results.

As well as this, these experts have the knowledge needed to ensure that the effects of sandblasting make a material look fantastic. Whether you are hoping to smooth over a material or give it some texture, a professional can provide the support that you need.

Without professional help, a variety of mistakes can be made during the sandblasting process. This can lead to expensive repairs being necessary. On top of this, you can get a personalised service with a sandblasting professional.

Talk to Basildon Stone Ltd, and you can make sure that your needs are met completely.

BASILDON STONE LTD

Basildon Stone Ltd provide a specialist service for the cleaning of all brick and stone facades, graffiti/paint removal and the application of surface protection.

  • CSCS registered
  • NVQ accredited
  • Heritage registered

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