A balancing act is required when cleaning a stone building. You want to improve the aesthetics of your property, but you also need to make sure that the cleaning agents will not damage the structure and integrity of the stone.
Cleaning a stone building is not a simple project, and there are many important nuances to consider before embarking on a big project.
A balancing act is required when cleaning a stone building. You want to improve the aesthetics of your property, but you also need to make sure that the cleaning agents will not damage the structure and integrity of the stone.
Stone Buildings and Abrasive Cleaning
Abrasive cleaning normally offers a quick turnaround through sandblasting and other methods to remove dirt and old paint. Unfortunately, abrasive cleaning can erode the structure and foundation of the building material. For something as historic as stone buildings, abrasive cleaning can generally cause more harm to the aesthetics and structure than good. Ornamental stone is at great risk of becoming damaged when excessive abrasive cleaning tactics are implemented.
Preparing to Clean Your Stone Building
When working with old material like a stone building, you want to thoroughly prepare for the cleaning process. Water and cleaning liquids can enter cracks and damage the façade of a building, so make sure to tightly cover cracks, joints and other openings before starting the cleaning process. We may still be enjoying the warm weather of summer, but if cleaning projects are done when the weather is turning colder, the water could freeze inside of cracks and cause damage to your stone building. Make sure to start your cleaning projects when the weather is warm.
Properly Clean Stone Buildings
While you will need a certain set of cleaning agents to effectively clean your stone building, you also want to focus on minimalizing any potential damage. Testing small areas with different solutions will let you know how your stone building reacts to the chemical agents. The safest and most cost-effective solution, however, is to work with professionals who know exactly how to treat, restore and clean historic buildings.
About DelPrete Masonry
For other questions regarding commercial masonry restoration, feel free to contact DelPrete Masonry. Our masonry restoration professionals have the experience and history of satisfied clients to prove that we’ll get the job done right, and cost-effectively. To get started with your commercial masonry restoration project, please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us at mike@delpretemasonry.com. We serve Baltimore City, County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. Keep up with our blog for masonry related information, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.