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Granite / Marble / Brick Façade Restoration
Where to Start?
The first step in the rehabilitation of stone at a building’s exterior involves the accurate assessment of that building’s existing system. In other words, before you can know how to fix something, you have to know how it was intended to work in the first place. Then a proper scope of rehabilitative work can be established. As water is the primary cause of deterioration, understanding the management of water in the façade is absolutely essential. Mass wall systems must be allowed to breathe, cavity wall systems must drain, and barrier wall systems must be sealed. Repairs for each can be drastically different. The interaction of building components (roof, parapets, windows, doors, etc.) must also be understood..gif)
New text objectWhat Is the Condition of Your Building?
A thorough assessment of your building’s exterior condition is the next step in the development of the scope of required work for a successful rehabilitation program. Our condition assessment will include:
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Identification and/or classification of existing materials;
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Evaluation of existing façade systems including drainage, insulation, vapor barriers and structural supports;
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Thorough inspection of all elements documenting all signs of deterioration and defects;
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Investigation of hidden conditions through probes into exterior building components;
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Investigation of material deterioration; and
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Identification of potentially hazardous and/or unsafe conditions.
The subsequent development of a realistic budget and project schedule, and the preparation of appropriate design documentation, materials and systems specifications, will ensure that a good rehabilitation program can be executed.
Sources of Deterioration in Stone
There are many sources of stone deterioration. Damage occurs through weathering, the invasive action of plant growth, pollution, and dirt accumulation. Further damage can occur through erosion, as a result of movement in stone (thermal expansion/contraction), faulty or broken anchors, and even human error in design, engineering or construction.
Repairs
It is imperative that any repairs have true compatibility and will behave in the same manner as the existing structure. Repairs must expand and contract with the masonry and be breathable enough to allow water vapor to escape thus avoiding failure of the masonry.
Pollution, poor maintenance and inadequate detailing can all damage building facades. There are no standard solutions to repair problems, each project must be individually assessed. Our specialty craftsmen are qualified to repair stonework. Some common repair techniques include the following:
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Repointing - requires cutting out failed joint mortar and applying new mortar that is finished to replicate the original mortar style.
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Re-anchoring - is usually necessary when movement of the stone from its original position has broken existing anchors or fractured the back of the stone.
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Pinning - stonework is performed by securing non-corrosive rods through the stone into the masonry backing.
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Patching - is used to repair small of damaged stone with a matching cementitious material that is applied and built up in layers until it matches the original profile. For larger patches, pins might be needed to secure the new material.
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Resetting - returns displaced stone to its original position.
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Stone Replacement - can be the most viable approach for restoring large areas of damage. A new anchoring system may be required. (Procurement of new materials can be an elaborate process and one which we have the added advantage managing "in house" – we will assist in selection, procurement, storage and detailing.)
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Crack Repair - can be accomplished by injecting an adhesive material into the fissure to provide water impermeability and prevent further cracking. A minor crack can be successfully repaired by routing the crack and filling it with patching material.
Just need Cleaning?
Dirt or soiling can take many forms: airborne particles, gaseous pollutants and organic aerosols from industrial or vehicular emissions; biological soiling by algae, fungi, bacteria and lichen; non-biological soiling by iron staining, paint or graffiti - the list goes on. It may be that the soiling causes stone deterioration or decay, or reduces the permeability of the substrate; or it may simply appear as an unsightly surface discoloration.
Architectural surfaces can build up a patina due to airborne particles, weathering cycles and the mineralogy of the stone itself. Unlike surface dirt, the patina does not simply lie across the surface of the stone but is combined to varying depths within the masonry, be it stone, brick or terracotta. Although not necessarily damaging in itself great care must be undertaken if this is to be removed - inappropriate methods could destroy the original and weaken the substrate to decay or more commonly mobilizing the minerals beneath the stone surface resulting in discoloration.
We are experienced in all different cleaning methods - there are positive and negative points to all methods and there is rarely a single method suitable for all situations. The least harmful method or combination of methods will be selected for each case. It is generally agreed that a sample area be carefully carried out on inconspicuous areas, to demonstrate the end result, for the client's consideration.
Ongoing Maintenance and Cleaning
Let us help you with ongoing maintenance and cleaning, it’s essential to preserve exterior stone surfaces and to prevent future deterioration. Our building maintenance programs includes routine inspections to detect early signs of stone damage and joint failure.
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Have Any Questions for our Team? Either Contact Us or Request a Quote today!