How to clean a listed stone building the correct way
Cleaning stone or masonry on listed buildings is no easy task, the stone / surface is usually very delicate and needs to be handled by a competent contractor. Jet washing, harsh chemicals and other factors can seriously damage the surface being worked on can be a costly mistake to make.
Prior to any works taking place a full site visit is needed to determine the type of surface being worked on, the current condition and then a full cleaning and restoration schedule will be devised and broken down into stages.
There are lots of reasons why you might want to clean stone and masonry on a listed building. Over time, grime and pollution can build upon a building’s surface, discolouring of the stone or masonry can make the property appear dull and dirty. In some cases, graffiti is also a driving factor in having a building cleaned and restored.
Removing this built-up staining can make a dramatic difference to the façade of a building. The end results will drastically enhance the appearance of the building providing longevity going forward.
Carrying out regular exterior stone cleaning on the façade of a listed building helps prevent the build up of dirt and grime restoring the property’s period features and charm.
What is DOFF steam cleaning and how does it work?
Basically DOFF cleaning is the process of gently using steam to clean stone. An industrial steam cleaning machine is used, and it keeps the temperature and the pressure high within the nozzle – this can be adjusted throughout the clean, as needed. As an example, usually the ideal temperature would be 150 degrees, but this can be adjusted to suit a variety of different surfaces. Each minute, the machine will release up to five litres of heated water and steam through the hose nozzle – which means it works on concrete surfaces without there being any saturation, thermal shock or damage as a result.
DOFF cleaning is highly effective on masonry and stonework, while the steams temperature is kept high during the cleaning process, the DOFF works gently and keeps the water volume relatively low. Ultimately this means the stones surface dries as fast as possible.
What surfaces can you clean with the DOFF?
There are many surfaces that can be cleaned and restored with the DOFF, such as;
- Stone
- Concrete
- Brick
- Faience
- Wood
- Terracotta
- Tiles
Sectors ranging from medical, food production, construction can all benefit from DOFF cleaning, plus it’s a firm tool in the arsenal for heritage sites as it’s gentle and extremely effective at restoring older buildings back to their former glory.
The DOFF is highly effective in removing the following;
- Fungi
- Moss
- Algae
- Spores
- Grafitti
- Bird Fouling
- Grease and Bitumen
- Wax coatings
- Chewing gum
- Paint removal
How we can help
At http://www.one-stopltd.co.uk, we can help you with all your DOFF cleaning needs within South Wales.
Working in partnership with large organisations such as Swansea Council and the http://www.nhs.co.uk, customer service and client delivery are at the forefront of our business.
Visit our website or contact us via email at [email protected] or call 01792439179 to discuss your DOFF cleaning needs.
