STONE+MASONRY

By retaining and repairing original fabric, minimising replacement and using traditional materials, we look to ensure the integrity of your structure.

Specialists in the conservation of limestone, sandstone, marble, alabaster, granite, slate and flint, Calibre's experienced stone conservators understand the behavioural characteristics of stone, its susceptibility to decay and decay processes. This knowledge allows us to improve the appearance of your building whilst ensuring its long-term survival for re-use and regeneration.   

Non-structural repair:

  • Treatment or removal of vegetation and other biological material 
  • Removal or cathodic protection of embedded iron fixings
  • Removing previous repairs (adhesives, cement mortars)
  • Repointing 
  • Dry (mechanical), wet (aqueous and chemical) and laser cleaning 
  • Graffiti removal 
  • Lead paint removal
  • Desalination (dry removal, poulticing and sacrificial plaster)
  • Stone repairs (dowels and cramps, grouting, mortar repairs)
  • Stone replacement 
  • Protective coatings

Structural repair: 

  • Repairing cracks 
  • Repairing bulging walls 
  • Supporting leaning and spreading walls 
  • Grouting
  • Dismantling and rebuilding
  • Damp-proofing
     
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Stone cleaning is an interventive and sensitive process.

At Calibre Conservation, all stone cleaning is carried out by skilled and experienced operators. Our flexible approach is based on careful specification and closely-monitored cleaning trials.

Calibre recommends stone cleaning for practical reasons, i.e., the removal of biological growth, guano, gypsum, pollution, salts, graffiti, surface coatings and fire damage, all of which might otherwise have a detrimental effect on the condition of the stone. We offer a variety of specialist cleaning methods, which are broadly categorised into dry (mechanical), wet (aqueous and chemical) and laser cleaning.
 

Dry (mechanical) cleaning:

  • Vacuum cleaning  
  • Brushing
  • Erasers and sponges 
  • Scalpels and spatulas 
  • Dry air-abrasion
     

Wet (aqueous and chemical) cleaning:

  • Sponging and brushing 
  • Wet air-abrasion
  • DOFF steam cleaning 
  • Water poulticing 
  • Chemical (acids, alkalis, organic solvents, inhibitors and wetting agents)


Laser:

  • Laser cleaning is an option when the underlying materials are too sensitive for dry or wet cleaning methods.