Stone Cleaning - Ingval Maxwell Página 1 de 3

HOME DIRECTORY ARTICLES BOOKSHOP WHAT'S ON

Stone Cleaning This article is reproduced from

The Building Conservation
Directory, 1998

Ingval Maxwell Author

INGVAL MAXWELL DA(Dun)
RIBA FRIAS FSAScot is
The need to clean a building is commonly perceived as being critical for its well Director of the Technical
being. Such a physical act is driven by aesthetic considerations often without Conservation, Research and
considering the after-effects or consequences properly. The decision is also Education Division of Historic
frequently made on townscape or streetscape grounds regardless of the Scotland. He is involved with a
physical impact on the actual face of the structure. wide range of conservation
groups and bodies and is
Where buildings which are listed or in a conservation area are concerned,
currently a member of the
Scotland differs from the rest of the country. Here, acknowledging that physical
RIAS Conservation Working
change can occur, stone cleaning has been deemed an 'alteration' since 1992.
Group and the ICOMOS UK
As a result, all proposals to clean listed buildings now require Listed Building
Executive Committee.
Consent or, in the case of unlisted buildings within a conservation area,
planning permission. Such an approach has been determined necessary to
ensure that the risk to the fabric is considered and that appropriate damage- Further information
limitation measures are adopted.
RELATED ARTICLES
One of the most difficult problems that can arise as a
TYPICAL PROBLEMS
result of deciding to clean a structure is deciding where Cleaning
Until relatively recently, cleaning methods
to stop. By cleaning the upper part of this bridge only
the impression has been created that a totally different
generally lacked proper specification and site Masonry
stone was used for the treated part. In reality the
control. This has resulted in a wide variety of
material has been bleached and discoloured by the Stone
chemical used. techniques being offered by contractors without
due regard to the full consequences of their effect, and usually little or no detailed RELATED PRODUCTS AND
consideration was shown by manufacturers or suppliers to this need. In attempting to deal SERVICES
with all types of dirt and surface coatings in one treatment, contractors and specifiers
Masonry cleaning: air/water
catered for worst-case scenarios, and over-treatment was the established norm.
abrasive
In particular, insufficient consideration was given to the wide range of natural materials
being dealt with and their relative susceptibility to deteriorate as a result. No building is Masonry cleaning products and
homogeneous in its construction or detail. Materials such as sandstone, limestone, granite, materials
brick and terracotta are liable to be bound by lime mortar. Some may be used in
combination, and other factors such as variations in colour, texture, tooling and form are
likely to be met. In many, the composition will vary, and different combinations can lead to
the interaction of materials, one with the other. Decay may also be present and different
patch repairs, with different substances at different times, may further complicate the
issue. Understanding the soiling of buildings
is critical if cleaning is proposed.
Sandstones are particularly difficult to
A basic difficulty is deciding where to stop. This can lead to a form of facadism, with only comprehend as soiling can often occur
the principal elevation being treated. However this approach has one advantageous side- from within the stone, resulting in a
Site Map
variegated appearance at the surface.
effect: any change that subsequently reveals itself can be compared against the untreated © Cathedral Communications
return faces of the same stones at the extremity of the cleaned area. Limited 2010
The type of soiling also needs to be taken into account. In the cleaning debate, soiling is
often pre-supposed only to be an external agent, with particulate deposition and reaction
resulting from either wet or dry conditions. Damaging crust-formation can be evident on
the surface limestone, but the prospect of benign mineral movement occurring from within
the body of sandstone is rarely considered.

Biological surface soiling is equally complex, with bacteria, algae, fungi and lichens each
seeking out the appropriate colonisation conditions within which they will flourish.
Influencing factors in their growth can include atmospheric and micro-climatic conditions,
fluid movement and concentrations, surface roughness and physical changes.

Once the building has been cleaned, incidents of resoiling, iron mobilisation, efflorescence,
vandalism and graffiti further complicate matters.
Where the depth of soiling only
extends to a few microns in thickness
THE PRINCIPAL CLEANING METHODS USED on the surface, the use of high
pressure grit blast cleaning, whether
wet or dry, can bite deeply into the
Two fundamental methods of cleaning buildings have habitually been adopted, although a historic surface below, destroying the
number of specialised techniques have become available in recent years: quality of the original banker mason's
workmanship.
Physical methods: these include brushing and rubbing, washing and steaming, wet and
dry abrasives, or surface redressing.

Chemical methods: applied as liquids or poultices, these may employ the use of alkaline
treatments, acidic treatments or organic solvents, singly or in combination.

http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/stone98/stone98.htm 26/02/2011
Stone Cleaning - Ingval Maxwell Página 2 de 3

Special techniques may promote the use of impregnated sponge, laser technology,
ultrasonic equipment, heat lances, gypsum inversion, bacteria, poultices or gels, and
surfactants (degreasants or soaps).

Not all treatments are appropriate for all materials, and extreme care needs to be
exercised when deciding which system to adopt. Due to the need to minimise the risk of
damage, the 'do not clean option' should also be borne in mind.

MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED TO MINIMISE RISK WHERE CLEANING

IS ACCEPTABLE IN PRINCIPLE
Determining the actual testing methodology, and the validity of trial area results, can be an
elaborate process if it is to be carried out effectively and meaningfully. Topics that should
be considered include colour measurements, depth profiling, surface roughness tests, and
the use of scanning electron microscopy, determining the petrology (the geological
Early physical cleaning methods, such
structure of the stone) and pH values, porosity and permeability measurements, before as the use of rotating discs, were
and after test cleaning. Care needs to be exercised when contemplating the extremely difficult to control. As a
result innumerable buildings now
consequences of washing chemicals into underlying masonry during rinse-off stages, and display an exceptional degree of
the question of how to stop 'wash-in' occurring on porous stone surfaces when 'washing surface damage. Viewed at close
quarters, the loss of arrisses, irregular
off' chemicals should also be addressed. shadow effects, disrupted moulding
runs and undulating faces typify the
Reporting and recording the consequences of tests should lead to a full analysis of results consequences. In many cases it is
impossible to recreate the quality of
before writing a relevant specification and obtaining statutory consents (if required). Risks the original finish and detail due to the
may also be reduced by carefully selecting an experienced and suitable contractor; by amount of material that has been lost.
determining the training and experience of site operatives; by ensuring effective site
controls and health and safety precautions; and by the maintenance of adequate site
progress records.

PUBLISHED GUIDELINES
To assist practitioners in this involved area of work, a number of detailed reports, literature
reviews and Technical Advice Notes have recently been published by Historic Scotland.
In much the same way that heavy-
Based on intensive research, these publications deal in depth with the cleaning of handed techniques can remove the
sandstone and granite buildings, and the application of biocide to sandstone facades. surface of stone, considerable
quantities of the surface of period
Other available material deals with a broader range of surfaces. At the same time, brickwork can also be removed. Here,
development work has progressed at BSI, where the current British Standard (BS 6270) deep scour marks run from brick to
brick along the mouldings and there is
has been under review. a general loss of sculpted quality.

INDUSTRY REACTION
Industry has responded to this published research material, and developments have
occurred with the launch and promotion of a variety of new cleaning methods.

In recognition of the need to use more environmentally friendly and delicate techniques, a
number of non-aggressive processes have been released. As the principal areas of
concern and risk are at the point of operation, most of the new systems have been
designed to make sure that operatives have total control over what is happening. Working
with very low water volumes or air pressures, and with a range of nozzles, a variety of new
agents are offered. These include spherical nodules of calcium carbonate for use on
limestones, and fine particle aluminum silicate for use on sandstones and granites.
Calcium carbonate, olivine and calcium silicate abrasives are also available.

Often product-specific operative training packages are promoted by suppliers, and

professionals are also encouraged to attend the courses to ensure that they fully
understand the correct application of the systems. As a sedimentary rock, limestone
which has been cleaned often mirrors
the defects created on cleaned
SCOTTISH/NATIONAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS sandstone. A general opening up of
the natural stratification can produce a
A CITB Occupational Working Group is currently focusing on stone cleaning at Level 3 blurred and uneven surface, disturbing
the once clean lines of fine mouldings.
with the intention of producing a Scottish/National Vocational Qualification (S/NVQ) in The textured surface is liable to hold a
Facade Maintenance. Although a Level 2 S/NVQ has already been validated, its uptake is greater degree of water and airborne
particles and assists more rapid
poor. The Level 3 S/NVQ is being developed to take into account the need to recognise resoiling.
the operatives' skills in a hands-on capacity, whilst providing some chargehand
responsibility for the supervision of others. This initiative is a serious attempt to improve
the quality of operators in the field, but it can only work if practitioners demand the use of
operatives that are appropriately qualified.

CONCLUSIONS
Stone cleaning is a complex issue. In the past it has been undertaken without sufficient
consideration being given to the consequences. As a result, an incalculable amount of
permanent damage has been caused to the country's building stock. How well this point is
accepted greatly depends upon the perceived value of carrying out cleaning in the first
place. For those committed to broader planning and social benefits, it is possible that no
amount of evidence will shake the belief that cleaning is for the overall benefit of a building
and its surroundings.

Unfortunately, the health of a building is not determined by an appearance that might be

viewed from a distance, or across the street, but by what is happening on the actual
The wide variations that occur in the
surface itself. The appropriate course of action must be driven by establishing what can be mineral content of the different
accepted at this level, bearing in mind the long-term effects on the appearance of the sandstones are often ignored when
cleaning is proposed. It frequently
comes as a surprise to discover that

http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/stone98/stone98.htm 26/02/2011
Stone Cleaning - Ingval Maxwell Página 3 de 3

building and its surroundings, not just the short-term benefits. The adoption of a damage- these factors then manifest themselves
after chemical cleaning has been
limitation approach should also influence the final choice of mechanism or technique. carried out. Not infrequently, this is
compounded by efflorescence from the
With a greater awareness of the issues now to hand, there should be no excuse for cleaning residue, seen here as wavy
white lines under the pediment
inarticulate decision-making or specifying. There can be no standard answer offered as to mouldings.
what the most relevant technique might be. All involved must share in the responsibility of
getting it right.

Recommended Reading
Nichola Ashurst, Cleaning Historic Buildings (2 vols),
Donhead, Shaftesbury, 1994

Research Commission Investigation: Biological Growths,

Biocide Treatment, Soiling and Decay of Sandstone
Buildings and Monuments in Scotland (Report and
Literature Review, Masonry Conservation Research
Group, The Robert Gordon University). Historic
Scotland, Edinburgh, 1995
Research Commission Investigation: Cleaning of Granite
Buildings (Report and Literature Review, Masonry
Conservation Research Group, The Robert Gordon
University), Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, 1995
Stone Cleaning: A Guide for Practitioners, Historic
Scotland, Edinburgh, 1994
Stone Cleaning in Scotland (5 vols), Historic Scotland,
Edinburgh, 1992
Technical Advice Note 9: Stone Cleaning Granite
Buildings, Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, 1997
Technical Advice Note 10: Biological Growths on
Sandstone Buildings: Control and Treatment, Historic
Scotland, Edinburgh, 1997
RGM Webster (ed), Stone Cleaning and the Nature,
Soiling and Decay Mechanisms of Stone, (Proceedings
of the International Conference, Edinburgh 14-16 April
1992), Donhead, Shaftesbury, 1992
On cleaned sandstone buildings the
visual effect of subsequent surface
growths can be interesting. In this
example, in addition to the surface
damage caused by the cleaning
regime itself, algal colonisation can be
seen to follow the architectural
patterns of the building's design. Water
-holding and run-off surfaces are
particularly prone, as are the localised
splash zones in the vicinity of
projecting details.
The use of hydrofluoric acid to clean a
sandstone superstructure on top of an
inadequately protected granite base
can produce some interesting side-
effects as feldspars are converted to
clays. In effect this makes the granite
sufficiently porous to enable biological
colonisation. A series of decay
contours can be created on the vertical
face of the ashlar blocks, and an
interaction with the mortar joints and
beds can also be found.
It has been repeatedly shown that
cleaned buildings can attract a high
level of attention from graffiti artists,
tempted by the fresh exposed
surface. With the use of highly
penetrating aerosol paints, the
applied colours can permeate
deeply into the stones structure.
Where attempts have been made to
mask the effect by painting over it,
the consequences can be even
more complex to remedy.

DIRECTORY | ARTICLES | BOOKSHOP | WHAT'S ON | CONTACT | ADVERTISE WITH US | CATHEDRAL COMMUNICATIONS

http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/stone98/stone98.htm 26/02/2011