restoration cleaning: turning back the hands of time

Restoration Cleaning: turning back the hands of time.

PRO006

Presented by

PROSOCO Inc.

Phone: 800-255-4255

Fax: 800-877-2700

www.prosoco.com

PROSOCO is a Registered provider with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-AIA members are available on request.

This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

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PROSOCO 2006

PROSOCO SINCE 1939

Learning objectives

1. List four reasons for masonry restoration

cleaning

2. Name four levels of masonry contaminants

3. Name the three basic techniques for

restoration cleaning

Learning objectives

4. Identify the four types of restoration

cleaners, and explain an advantage and

limitation of each

5. List three important considerations for

interior restoration cleaning

6. Identify four difficulties common to


Increased value

Why clean?

Increased value

Aesthetics

Why clean?

Why clean?

Increased value

Aesthetics

Preservation

Why clean?

Increased value

Aesthetics

Preservation

Diagnostic tool

Why clean?

Increased value

Aesthetics

Preservation

Diagnostic tool

Historical significance

Surface debris

Surface deposits

Surface soiling

Subsurface staining

Four levels of contaminants


Surface debris

Dried, peeling paint

Bird droppings

Trash

Twigs and leaves


Surface debris

Surface deposits

Paint

Varnishes

Waxes

Other man-made coatings


Surface debris

Surface deposits

Surface soiling

Carbon

Grease

Grime

Air pollution


Surface debris

Surface deposits

Surface soiling

Subsurface staining

Rust

Oil

Graffiti on porous surfaces


Old buildings

often feature all

four levels of

contaminants.

Three basic cleaning techniques

Abrasive cleaning

Water cleaning

Chemical cleaning

Abrasive cleaning

Water cleaning

Water Soaking

Pressure washing

Water Soaking

Water Soaking

May be useful for cleaning fragile masonry

Time-consuming

Impractical for cleaning entire facades

Water Soaking

Water is the single most

damaging element to masonry.

Pressure washing

Best used with chemical cleaning

Prewetting masonry with water

Post cleaning water-rinse

Pressure washing

Don’t use high pressure to apply

cleaning chemicals to masonry.

Pressure washing

Pounds per square inch (psi)

Gallons per minute (gpm)

Pressure washing

Typical range for restoration cleaning

400-1200 psi

4-8 gpm

Chemical cleaning

Chemical cleaning

Acidic 0-5 pH

Neutral 5.5-9.5 pH

Alkaline 9-14 pH

Solvent N/A

Acidic cleaners

Often use hydrofluoric acid (HF)

Are made for acid-resistant masonries

Dissolve interface between stain and

substrate

Acidic cleaners

Remove decades of built-up soiling

Are effective at lower concentrations

Are dilutable and economical

Acidic cleaners

Never clean with raw acid.

Acidic cleaners

Wetting agents

Buffers

Always follow safety

and application

instructions.

Proprietary products also include:

Acidic cleaners

Industry looks

to lower or

eliminate acid

content.

Acidic cleaners

Acidic cleaners

Not for marble, travertine,

limestone or acid-sensitive

masonry.

Alkaline cleaners

Sodium hydroxide

Potassium hydroxide

Ammonium hydroxide

Alkaline cleaners

Great against carbon and organic soiling

Use on most masonry except polished marble

Alkaline cleaners

Strictly follow all application

and safety procedures.

Alkaline cleaners

Surfaces must be neutralized after cleaning.

Alkaline cleaners

Neutralize cleaned surface with mild acidic cleaning solution.

Neutralizer enhances cleaned appearance.

Products exist for this specific purpose.

Neutral cleaners

Light-to-moderate soiling

Neutral cleaners

May contain

small amounts

of mild acids or

alkalies

pH of 5.5 to 9.5

Neutral cleaners

Reduced environmental impact

Safer and easier to handle

Fewer restrictions on use compared to more aggressive cleaners

Advantages

Neutral cleaners

Effective

Solvent cleaners

Use for:

High-strength paints

Clear coatings Varnishes

Waxes

Acrylics

Heavy oil & grease stains

Solvent cleaners

Good choice for stains that aren’t water-soluble

Safe for all masonry surfaces

Solvent cleaners

Some evaporate quickly.

Many are extremely flammable.

Always handle with care.

Interior restoration cleaning

Often less

severe than

exterior staining


Restrict and control water use.

Considerations


Protect everything not set for cleaning.


Considerations



Protect everything not set for cleaning.

Ensure good ventilation.

Considerations


Less aggressive

Low-odor

Need less water for rinsing

May come in gel form

Agent characteristics

Masonry restoration cleaning

Things to

consider


Likely to attract media attention Valuable free publicity

Crews and job site may

receive scrutiny.

Likely to attract media attention

Staining has built up over decades.




Surface may be fragile.




Surface may be fragile.

Mistakes may be costly & irreversible.



Art

Science


Impressive bullet-points for company resumes

Improves our communities

Top 10 tips for restoration cleaning


1. Positively identify every substrate on the building.


Literature

Customer care

Job-site and specification-writing assistance.

2. Specify and use a proprietary cleaner from an established company that backs up its products.


3. Require workers to religiously follow all safety precautions in the product literature.

Top 10 tips for


4. Test before you clean.



Test each kind of surface & each kind of soiling and stain.

Not all mistakes can be fixed.



Test under the same conditions you’ll have for cleaning.

Clean with the same dilution and equipment you tested.



Be patient. Let interior test

panels wait overnight.

Let large-building test

panels dry and

weather for several

days or more.


5. Protect everyone and everything not set for cleaning.

Clean at night/on

weekends.

Divert traffic.

Protective

techniques


Other protective techniques Use highest effective dilution rate. Protect nonmasonry surroundings. Don’t clean in high wind. Shut down/cover air-handling equipment. Tell building management and occupants.


Still more protective techniques Pre-rinse at low pressure. Monitor pH level of rinse water

and masonry. Learn city requirements for

handling rinse water.


6. Use the proper equipment.

Apply with brush, roller or low-pressure spray.

6. Use the proper equipment.


Dilute and handle in plastic buckets. Use high-pressure spray for rinsing.

Fan-type spray tip minimum 15°

400-1200 psi

4-8 gpm Be careful of fragile masonry when rinsing.


7. Don’t let the cleaner “dry in.”

Thoroughly prewet the surface. Reapply if necessary.


8. Begin cleaning slowly and cautiously.


9. Don’t clean in cold weather

without special precautions.

40°F or above - YES! Below freezing or will be overnight - NO!


Special precautions for cold weather

Prewet & rinse with hot water

Extend dwell time 10-20 percent


Special precautions

for cold weather

Space heaters on scaffolding covered with polyethylene for

cleaning in cold weather


10. Don’t go it alone.

Manufacturer’s toll free telephone number

Customer service Manufacturer’s

representative Distributor

The next step

Trinity Church, New York, before


The next step

The next step

In the past, film-forming water repellents led to masonry decay.

The next step

Breathable water repellents let vapor out without letting liquid in.

Won’t change masonry appearance.

Preserve the results of your work.

Today

The next step

Protective Treatments for Masonry

PRO004

Summary

Aesthetics Economics Diagnostics Historical and

community value

Reasons for masonry restoration cleaning

Summary

Abrasive Water Chemical

Techniques for masonry restoration cleaning

Summary

Water cleaning + Chemical cleaning = Most effective

Summary

1. Know the substrate you’re cleaning. 2. Use proprietary cleaners from

reputable companies.

3. Strictly follow all safety precautions.


5. Protect people and surroundings.

Guidelines for masonry restoration cleaning

Summary

Guidelines for masonry restoration cleaning

6. Use proper equipment. 7. Don’t let cleaners dry into

the surface. 8. Begin cleaning slowly and

cautiously. 9. Don’t clean in cold weather

without special precautions.

10. Never go it alone.

Summary

Protect what you’ve cleaned.

PROSOCO SINCE 1939

Local contacts :

Tom Lane - 860-872-9839 / Cell: 860-593-3372

Ralph Morgan - 781-294-1315

This concludes the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System Program

restoration cleaning: turning back the hands of time

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