Brick and Natural Stone

Brick, stone, and masonry are often porous and sometimes historically significant. Cleaning must protect the substrate while removing soiling, coatings, and staining.

Common methods

• JOS/TORC (vortex) blasting: Uses a low-pressure swirling mix of water and fine aggregate to remove carbon soiling, paint, and deposits from masonry with reduced surface damage.

• Poultice cleaning: Draws out deep stains, salts, and oils from brick and stone when mechanical or aggressive chemical cleaning could cause harm.

• Soda blasting: At carefully controlled pressures, removes graffiti, light coatings, and surface contamination from brick and natural stone.

• Sponge blasting: Provides controlled cleaning with low dust for facades, monuments, and structural masonry in busy or sensitive locations.

• UHP water jetting (with care): Used on robust masonry to strip heavy coatings and pollution crusts as part of major restoration projects.

• Chemical cleaning: Masonry-specific detergents and biocides target biological growth, atmospheric soiling, and certain paints when used according to best practice.

• Laser cleaning: Applied to high-value stone carvings, sculptures, and monuments to remove black crusts and deposits with precise control.

Typical applications

• Cleaning building facades, walls, and structural masonry.

• Graffiti and coating removal from brick and natural stone surfaces.

• Heritage and conservation work on monuments, sculptures, and historic buildings.

• Removing pollution crusts and environmental soiling from exterior stonework.

• Deep stain and salt extraction from porous masonry using poultices.