Stone & Brick
Revitalising the character and breathability of your masonry.
The Importance of Masonry Care
Natural stone and kiln-fired brick are not merely decorative; they are the breathable skin of your home. These materials are designed to manage moisture, absorbing rain and releasing it through evaporation.
For the discerning homeowner, the darkening of masonry is often mistaken for "age" or "patina." In reality, this is frequently a combination of biological growth and atmospheric pollution that can suffocate the material.
Understanding the Damage
When brick or stone becomes heavily soiled, it loses its ability to function correctly.
The "Suffocation" Risk: Atmospheric pollution (carbon) binds with the surface, forming a hard, black crust. This seals the surface, trapping moisture inside the wall where it can cause dampness.
The Freeze-Thaw Consequence: When moisture cannot evaporate through the face of the brick because it is clogged with dirt or moss, it freezes during winter.
This expansion causes the face of the stone or brick to shear off (known as spalling). Once the protective face is lost, the masonry deteriorates rapidly.
Our Method
We strictly adhere to a philosophy of "substrate-specific" cleaning. We recognise that cleaning a granite plinth requires a completely different approach to cleaning a modern brick facade.
The Role of Pressure Washing: High-pressure cleaning is a powerful tool that we utilise effectively on durable, hard surfaces. However, it is rarely the correct choice for natural stone. On softer sedimentary stones like Limestone and Sandstone, or even Granite, aggressive water pressure can pit the surface, erode the pointing, and ruin the natural texture.
Our Solution
Chemical Application: We utilise specialist architectural gels and surfactants designed to break down carbon deposits and organic staining. These are applied and allowed to dwell, dissolving the bond between the dirt and the masonry at a molecular level.
Biological Treatment: For organic growth (moss, algae, lichen), we employ a softwash protocol that neutralises the spores, ensuring a deep clean without the need for abrasive scrubbing.
Controlled Rinse: Following the chemical phase, we use a low-pressure, high-volume rinse. This gently flushes the emulsified contaminants from the pores of the stone, revealing the original colour without subjecting the building to abrasive stress.
Key Standards
Material Sensitivity: We assess every wall before starting. We ensure that high pressure is never used on fragile stone or historic brickwork where it could cause erosion.
Carbon Removal: We use targeted treatments to safely dissolve the atmospheric black staining often found on window sills, coping stones, and street-facing facades.
Efflorescence Management: We can identify and treat salt deposits (unsightly white staining) often caused by moisture moving through the wall.
Property Protection: We take meticulous care to mask and protect surrounding windows, door hardware, and planting during the application of any cleaning agents.