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"Assessing Cleaning and Water-Repellent Treatments" an Historic Preservation Brief December 1, 2008


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Assessing Cleaning and Water-Repellent Treatments
for Historic Masonry Buildings

Robert C. Mack, FAIA and Anne Grimmer
Assessing Cleaning and Water-Repellent Treatments

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Introduction

Preparing for a Cleaning Project

        Reasons for cleaning

        Identify what is to be removed

        Consider the historic appearance of the building

        Consider the practicalities of cleaning or paint removal

        Study the masonry

Understanding the Building Materials

        Identify prior treatments

        Choose the appropriate cleaner

Cleaning Methods and Materials

        Water cleaning

              Soaking

              Water Washing

              Water Washing with Detergents

              Steam/Hot-Pressurized Water Cleaning

              Potential hazards of water cleaning

        Chemical Cleaning

              Chemical Cleaners to Remove Dirt

                    Acidic Cleaners

                    Alkaline Cleaners

              Chemical Cleaners to Remove Paint and Other Coatings, Stains and Graffiti

                    Alkaline Paint Removers

                    Organic Solvent Paint Removers

                    Other Paint Removers and Cleaners

              Potential hazards of chemical cleaning

        Poulticing to Remove Stains and Graffiti

        Abrasive and Mechanical Cleaning

              Abrasive Blasting

              Grinders and Sanding Disks

Planning a Cleaning Project

        Testing cleaning methods

        Environmental considerations

        Safety considerations

Water-Repellent Coatings and Waterproof Coatings

        Water-Repellent Coatings

              Is a Water-Repellent Treatment Necessary?

              When a Water-Repellent Coating May be Appropriate

        Waterproof Coatings

Summary

Selected Reading

Acknowledgements


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Acknowledgements

Robert C. Mack, FAIA, is a principal in the firm of MacDonald & Mack Architects, Ltd., an architectural firm that specializes in historic buildings in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Anne Grimmer is a Senior Architectural Historian in the Technical Preservation Services Branch, Heritage Preservation Services Program, National Park Service, Washington, D.C.

The original version of Preservation Brief 1: The Cleaning and Waterproof Coating of Masonry Buildings was written by Robert C. Mack, AIA. It inaugurated the Preservation Briefs series when it was published in 1975.

The following historic preservation specialists provided technical review of this publication: Frances Gale, Training Director, National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, National Park Service, Natchitoches, LA; Judith M. Jacob, Architectural Conservator, Building Conservation Branch, Northeast Cultural Resources Center, National Park Service, N.Y., NY; Robert M. Powers, Architectural Conservator, Powers and Company, Inc., Philadelphia, PA; Antonio Aguilar, Kaaren Dodge, JoEllen Hensley, Gary Sachau, John Sandor and Audrey T. Tepper, Technical Preservation Services Branch, Heritage Preservation Services Program, National Park Service, Washington, DC; and Kay D. Weeks, Heritage Preservation Services Program, National Park Service, Washington, DC.

Washington, DC November, 2000



This publication has been prepared pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, which directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop and make available information concerning historic properties. Technical Preservation Services (TPS), Heritage Preservation Services Division, National Park Service prepares standards, guidelines, and other educational materials on responsible historic preservation treatments for a broad public.



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