By admin Discover SoftWash • DOFF steam cleaning • Stone Cleaning 0 Comments

A Helpful Guide on how to clean stone in the UK

 

An introduction to stone and its many uses.

Stone can come in many different shapes and sizes, Its been used in building since the Earlie days. Egyptians used stone to build the pyramids and various structures throughout the world are made from stone.

Stone comes in many forms from Super hard stone such as Basalt which is a very hard volcanic rock that can easily be compared to granite. To the sand stone which in m any cases can be pourus and sensitive, There are many different types of variations of stone..

Each with its unique make up which is ideal for building materials, Stone can be used on roofs as roof tiles such as Cotswold stone, in the UK Limestone and Sandstone are the most Widley used building materials used.

 

Why do you need to clean your stone?DOFF steam cleaning in Painswick Gloucester

As you know many homes are constructed with Stone and mortar, when these are combined your home can become a warm safe place which will stand up against all weathers and intrusion however over time Microorganisms can start to grow on the surface of your home or building. These microorganisms have ben growing on stone for thousands of years, homes in the UK are taking over our landscapes so these microorganisms need to land somewhere which is often our roofs or the walls of our homes. Render is often used in modern building which makes an ideal place for Fungus to take hold. Stone walls also have a similar problem, In warmer damp climates algae first starts to take a grip which at this stage can be relatively easy to treat with a SoftWash Treatment however if left to grow over time this can turn into moss and Lichens. These things occasionally can be seen in nature. If left untreated these growths can start to damage the face of the stone and cause expensive damage to your home.

 

Stone Cleaning in Painswick, Gloucestershire

How can you prevent Moss and Lichens from invading your home?

The Short answer to that is you cannot, you can only manage the problem with regular planned maintenance using the correct equipment, suppliers and chemicals to kill the root of these fungus.

Quite often if left in the wrong hands you can cause more damage then good when trying to deal with these problems. Also, some stone can be harder to get to? How high is the area your trying to clean can you clean and treat the stone from ground level? These are the things you need to be asking yourself. It’s really important to research these things to treat your stone in a safe way.

Many people think that pressure washing is a good idea. But let me stop you there. Water actually feeds fungus. Its very similar to watering a plant. If you water a plant it will grow but if you put a weed killer down its more likely to die. Fungus is similar to a plant and will require treatment to kill the root of the problem.

If you simply just pressure wash the area it will take the surface off the fungus leaving the root which will rapidly re-grow. You will never permanently be able to stop fungus growing, But Regular treatment cycles on your stone can keep the fungus at bay.

 

Pressure washing of stone can it really cause damage?

Pressure washing is not recommended for cleaning stone, however there is specialist Stone cleaning equipment suppliers out their which can be used such as stone health. The DOFF system although a very slow process used heat at 150 degrees steam at very low pressure which reduces the chance of damage to buildings drastically. The DOFF is used for Conservation and restoration, The DOFF is also English heritage approved system for the use of cleaning heritage sites and listed buildings so is a fantastic alternative to pressure washing.

“The DOFF System is unique in achieving temperatures up to 150 degrees at the nozzle end – making it a ‘superheated water system’. Designed and developed to effectively remove paint, biological matter and general dirt and grime without causing harm or shock to the substrate.”

When you need to clean your stone don’t just blast it with a pressure washer make sure to use correct methods especially with older buildings for long lasting Phenomenal results that won’t cause damage to the substrate.

 

For more info on cleaning your stone or even for FREE advice on your next project

please feel free to call on: 01452 301342

or

Email: discover@skylinesoftwash.com

 

 

By admin Custom Cleaning Solutions • DOFF steam cleaning • Gutter Cleaning • Render Cleaning Treatments • SoftWash • Softwashing • Stone Cleaning 0 Comments

Render cleaning and treatment in Henley-on-Thames 

Henley-on-Thames is a town and civil parish on the River Thames in Oxfordshire northeast of Reading, A lovely area of natural beauty with a strong history of rowing and beautiful buildings.

SkyLine SoftWash were asked to carry our works on a property that had staining from the surrounding works that had being carried out over the previous year or so. A build up of fungus and growth had start to cover the building from the surrounding trees and landscape areas.

Being surround by such dense trees and wildlife areas its was just a matter of time before the fungus took hold of this lovely building..

Over time these grows can take hold even start to cause damage to the substrate. Its an essential part of your property maintenance with buildings such as these to up-keep them and have an appropriate exterior cleaning maintenance plan in place.

SoftWash is the ideal solution for managing these natural grows on your building, keeping your property protected and in pristine condition.

Henley-on-Thames render cleaning Oxidation from Lead staining, What to do. render cleaning in Henley-on-Thames

If you’re ever struggling to find an authorised and safe contractor to carry out render cleaning works for you in a safe way. Then SkyLine SoftWash are for you

When you use our service, you can be assured that your using the best!

  • SoftWash Authorised
  • Safe contractor accredited
  • DOFF approved operator
  • IPAF & PASMA certified
  • DBS Checked staff

If you would like a FREE sample clean then get in touch on : 01452 301342

Or

Email: discover@skylinesoftwash.com

Skyline Softwash Systems Authorised Skyline Softwash Stonehealth Approved Skyline Softwash Safe Contractor Approved

 

By admin Custom Cleaning Solutions • Discover SoftWash • DOFF steam cleaning • Gutter Cleaning • Render Cleaning Treatments • SoftWash • Softwashing • Stone Cleaning 0 Comments

Render Cleaning in Brunswick Square, Gloucester

Many older buildings in Gloucester and around the UK become weathered and over time have a build up of fungus growing on the side walls of the buildings.

These grows however can cause extensive damage if not removed, Fungus such as algae, moss and mould can build up and start to eat away the surface of the building. Over time this can mean expensive repairs, Stone repair specialist will need to renovate the property which can run in to tens of thousands of pounds.

 

If you are proactive and want to avoid these long-term expensive repair bills you can save money  by having the render and stone SoftWash treatment which will to kill the micro-organisms growing on the surface. By using English heritage approved DOFF steam and a gentle SoftWash Treatment this can help give back life to an older building. SkyLine SoftWash recently worked on such a building in Brunswick Square Gloucester.

Brunswick Square in the city of Gloucester is a historical place and well know area which has been part of the Eastgate and St Michaels conservation area since 1968. There are nine grade listed buildings around Brunswick square, Gloucester. Many of these buildings could do with a SkyLine SoftWash Treatment. Due to the nature of the buildings they do need regular maintenance such as gutter cleaning to keep the gutters clear to prevent water ingress

Before and after render cleaning in Brunswick Square, Gloucester render cleaning in Brunswick Square Gloucester, GL1 damaged render casued by fungus growing on the surface

Many building surveyors recommend SkyLine SoftWash due to their unique way cleaning and treating the exterior of buildings. Through specialist training, SkyLine SoftWash have become the number #1 in exterior building cleaning & treatments throughout Gloucestershire and the UK.

If your building has seen better days and you want a turn key solution for cleaning and treating the outside of your building then get in touch. You can benefit with a FREE sample clean. Lets get your building looking its best with SkyLine SoftWash

Call today on: 01452 301342

Or Email: discover@skylinesoftwash.com

 

 

 

By admin Custom Cleaning Solutions • SoftWash • Softwashing • Stone Cleaning 0 Comments

Cobble stone cleaning in Cheltenham

Cobble stone cleaning in Cheltenham
Cobble stone cleaning in Cheltenham

Cobble stone cleaning is an important part of maintaining the outside of your building. By not maintaining these areas fungus can start to take hold, moss, Slippy algae and lichens can start to form.

Algae can become particularly slippery and hazardous when wet, potentially leading to slips and trips which can be extremely dangerous for vulnerable and elderly people.

By Having a SoftWash treatment once every 6 – 12 months will keep these algae at bay, meaning a safe surface for people to walk on. Treating these areas with a SoftWash treatment on a regular maintenance plan also means that fungus will not form which will also keep your patio areas, hardstanding’s and cobble stone protected and safe for staff, Clients and residents alike.

Having your pathways free from debris, moss and infestations is a sure fire way of insuring health and safety is compiled too, Its safe for people and your building is healthy

Prevention is always better than cure when in comes to exterior building cleaning maintenance.

For a FREE demo please get in touch on 01452 301342

By admin Custom Cleaning Solutions • Discover SoftWash • DOFF steam cleaning • Render Cleaning Treatments • SoftWash • Stone Cleaning 0 Comments

SoftWash & Steam Cleaning at the Old George Nailsworth, Gloucestershire

The Old George Nailsworth Has interesting heritage and history, Many years before most who will be reading this article the old George inn was a Coaching inn providing a resting point for people and horses. The inn served the needs of travellers, for food, drink, and rest, Later on in life it became known well for beer, sausage and chips.. over time the Old George became in bad state of disrepair and laid after standing empty for many years

exterior building cleaning in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. Roof, render and exterioir cleaning in the Cotswolds

It was later demolished and rebuilt in the same style of the original building keeping with the older Cotswold stone look. The old George is a mighty building in the middle of Nailsworth town centre now with retail units and apartments, Many cafes such as Woodcock & Cavendish  also Red Hen  trading which the locals all seem to love! From Quality food, clothing to lovely and unusual little unique gifts

The Locals in Nailsworth are true to their roots and are truly lovely and very friendly people, Its refreshingly old but modern if that makes sense with a sense of history in the air and modern and old fashioned way of life blended into onea truley beautiful place in the heart of the Cotswolds.

Unfortunately the days of horse and cart are now gone and in its place are vans, cars and arctic lorry’s that trundle down the A46 between Stroud and Bath. These heavy Loads don’t just cause heavy pollution we all breathe, but also cause pollutants to land on the old stone making it look unsightly and old. That’s along with a mix of fungus, mould, algae and lichens the appearance of the building starts to suffer and over time the fungus causes damage to the surface of the building.

After around 20 years it was time to get SkyLine SoftWash to work their magic to conserve and restore the stone to its former glory, By Using the DOFF steam Integra the super-heated water system SkyLine SoftWash were able to remove the biological matter and general pollutants from the building. By Using the DOFF and SoftWash System the professional exterior building cleaning professional tools that means sensitive and care is of the upmost of important! Whilst obtaining fantastic results

 If you would like to learn more about sensitive cleaning of your home or building please call: 01452 301342 for a FREE one to one and demonstration

Alternatively email: discover@skylinesoftwash.com

 

Some of the passers-by comments

Daniel Price

“I saw it happening, Amazing”

 

Ann Skipper

“all the traffic fumes from years all gone”

 

Nikki Churchill

“The building looks fantastic, you’ve brought the warm honey coloured Cotswold Stone”

 

 

By admin Custom Cleaning Solutions • Discover SoftWash • DOFF steam cleaning • Render Cleaning Treatments • SoftWash • Softwashing • Stone Cleaning 0 Comments

Windsor Castle | Render cleaning in Bath, Somerset

Does your render in Bath appear dirty? its NOT dirt! Its infested. SkyLine SoftWash offer a render cleaning treatment & sanitation in Bath, Somerset

Windsor Castle | Render cleaning in Bath

SkyLine SoftWash were asked to Clean Windsor Castle, in Bath yes there is a Windsor Castle in Bath and its not a Quite a Castle, However it is placed in a beautiful spot in Bath next to the valley of the River Avon, 11 miles south-east of Bristol. The city became a World Heritage site in 1987. Set next to an old iron bridge, Winsor castle is constructed with Render and Stone.

Bath is a beautiful city in the county of Somerset, England, known for its fantastic Roman-built baths with beautiful Bath Stone

Many of the buildings in Bath are so close to the water, Many of the buildings are mostly constructed with rendering which traps fungus. Render makes easy growing conditions for fungus, molds etc, Render encourages infestations to grow. Molds, Algae Lichens are a big problem for inner-city and rural buildings.

Fungus takes hold and grows rapidly in all sorts of areas. Making lovely looking buildings look old and dirty.

It’s not dirt on these rendered buildings it’s, in fact, an infestation of micro-organisms.

Cleaning render is an Art and you have to use the right equipment and products.

 

Before and after SoftWash render cleaning in Bath Wall cleaning, Render wall cleaning Render cleaning Bath

 

Cleaning Render in Bath

 

Many of the buildings in Bath are known for their Heritage and have much old stone and modern render buildings

The last thing you want to do is use a pressure washer on render as you will cause extreme damage, blasting renders with a pressure washer will Blast most of the render off your building.

You may think you need to clean your render as its looking dirty but in fact it’s not dirt, it’s a build-up of trillions of micro orgasms. You cannot clean these areas. They need SoftWash treatment and sanitation to kill the fungus at the root.

Render cleaning in Bristol, Bath or somerset is a specialist service that requires Time, Thought and Care.

If you have invested heavily in your building you wouldn’t want to cause more damage by using the wrong equipment or chemicals.

SkyLine SoftWash Use a Specialist SoftWash Systems Blend Rinse 100 that mixes the correct measurements safely that clean and treat render that are heavily infested with growth.

SkyLine SoftWash also use the DOFF Integra which can reach 150 degrease that will kill fungus using heat which is great for Stone cleaning and Brick Steaming and that can also be used and controlled using low temperatures light steam/rinse on the render

 

 

 

If you would like a FREE demonstration of how great your building could look with SoftWash Sanitation and treatment or you would like to have your stone Cleaned using DOFF steam please contact

 

SkyLine SoftWash on: 01452 301342

By admin SoftWash • Softwashing • Stone Cleaning 0 Comments

Gravestone cleaning in Gloucester, Cheltenham & Stroud Gloucestershire

Although it’s a sad time when you lose a loved one it’s important that you keep their memory alive and have a special place to visit pass your respect and have those wonderful memories return.

Gravestones look wonderful when new but when left unattended they can start to look worn and decades of growth can make a gravestone unrecognizable

SkyLine SoftWash can clean all stone & marble gravestone surfaces removing infestations that have taken many decades to grow. These stone areas are not dirty they are infested with micro orgasms. BY using the DOFF and SoftWash means more sensitive and safe stone cleaning. All without causing damage to the gravestone

This Family Gravestone had a SoftWash treatment it was so infested with a fungus and mould that we didn’t even realize it was marble underneath all the grime.

What to expect from a Gravestone cleaning service

  • Lettering should really pop out after a SoftWash, it really makes reading easy
  • Flat memorials always weather more quickly due to grass cutting around them and also any plant life which helps spread alga and fungus onto the gravestone
  • Artificial or plastic flowers make a great long lasting lovely looking grave and work well with a Gravestone cleaning
  • Memorial stones that are very old can be deeply ingrained with fungus and thick layers of growth which can take time to treat and sanitize using SoftWash

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If you would like to restore the look of your loved one’s stone call: 01452 301342

Sensitive Stone SoftWash with Care

Your gravestone cleaning experts

By admin DOFF steam cleaning • Stone Cleaning 0 Comments

Stone Cleaning in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, DOFF & SoftWash

SkyLine SoftWash were asked to carry out Specialist Stone Cleaning in Cheltenham. As always by offering a FREE sample clean to see what sort or results DOFF steam cleaning and SoftWash can give is always best.

This allows you to see the kind of results you can obtain when cleaning stone.

Stone comes in many forms we live in a unique part of the world with many different types of stone ranging from Triassic rock – Sandstone and conglomerate, interbedded in the forest of dean to the great Oolite group – sandstone, limestone, and sandstone in the Cotswolds.

Stone comes in many shapes, sizes, and density levels and this needs to be considered when having a Stone cleaning service in Gloucestershire

Cotswold Limestones, perhaps the only one to reach the national markets. It has been used since the Roman period, and widely exported since medieval times to various abbeys, cathedrals and other notable buildings. Stone is useful for many different things such as paving in Tewkesbury and Gloucester Abbeys and at Windsor Castle. Used in conjunction with Minchinhampton Weatherstone, it creates some of Gloucestershire’s best table-top tombstones, for example, those in Elmore and Painswick churchyards and Pittville Pump Room

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Many soft stones cannot cope with high pressure or sandblasting, as a result, can cause damage to the stone such as pitting and wearing away from the corrosive abrasion of the cleaning methods used.

DOFF is a steam based stone cleaning system. It’s unlike any other steam system and can achieve temperatures of up to 150°C at the nozzle end – making it a ‘superheated water system’. The operator is able to vary the temperature and pressure to remove many different types of paint and biological matter.

SkyLine SoftWash offers an alternative to sandblasting and pressure washing using the DOFF steam Integra system which is English heritage approved for specialist stone cleaning in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

By using a mixture of DOFF steam cleaning and SoftWash achieving phenomenal proven results in a sensitive way. Giving you the highest cleaning results without all the mess and damage sandblasting or pressure washing can cause. Saving you money from damage repairs.

DOFF steam cleaning & SoftWash is the Easiest, Environmentally responsible, Safe way to clean stone! Make your stone look like NEW!

SkyLine SoftWash Have you Covered:

  • Stone Health Rossette DOFF Approved
  • Safe Contractor accredited
  • SoftWash Authorised
  • IPAF/PAZMA Licenced (Cherry picker/scaffold tower licensed)

If you live in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and would like a FREE sample clean of your stone please get in touch!

We would love the opportunity to serve you!

Call : 01452 30134

Or email: discover@skylinesoftwash.com

Specialist Stone Cleaning Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

DOFF steam 150-degree super-heated water system is highly effective for gentle cleaning and restoration of all historical or conservation projects. The cleaning of Limestone, Bath stone, York stone, Portland stone, sandstone and cleaning of all masonry brick cleaning. SkyLine SoftWash can clean all stone and brick surfaces removing infestations that have taken many decades to grow. These stone areas are not dirty they are infested with micro orgasms. BY using the DOFF and SoftWash means more sensitive and safe stone cleaning. All without causing damage to the substrate.

DOFF and SoftWash is ideal for?

  • To safely remove and kill fungus, microorganisms such as Algae, miss, and fungi
  • Cleaning all stone including marble gravestone cleaning
  • Paint coatings (most oil and plastic types)
  • Wax coatings
  • Bitumen, Oils & Grease
  • Restoring masonry and brick cleaning
  • bird fouling
  • Remove light calcium staining
  • Roof SoftWash & Moss removal treatments
  • Graffiti removal
  • Fire damage residues
  • Cleaning all metals including aluminum
  • Roof cleaning
  • Commercial cladding cleaning

Call for a FREE Sample clean : 01452 301342