Dangers of abrasive cleaning to historic buildings, undated

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Preservation Brief 6: Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings Page 11 of 12

building materials. Further advances in understanding the complex nature of the many variables o the cleaning techniques may someday provide a better and simpler solution to the problems. But until that time, the process of cleaning historic buildings must be approached with caution through trial and error.

It is important to remember that historic building materials are neither indestructible, nor are they renewable. They must be treated in a responsible manner, which may mean little or no cleaning a all if they are to be preserved for future generations to enjoy. If it is in the best interest of the building to clean it, then it should be done "using the gentlest means possible."

Selected Reading List Ashurst, John. Cleaning Stone and Brick. Technical Pamphlet 4. London: Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. 1977.

Asmus, John F. "Light Cleaning: Laser Technology for Surface Preparation in the Arts." Technology and Conservation. 3:3 (Fall 1978), pp. 14-18.

"The Bare-Brick Mistake." The Old House Journal. I:2 (November 1973). p 2.

Brick Institute of America. Colorless Coatings for Brick Masonry. Technical Notes on Brick Construction. Number 7E ( September/October 1976).

Gilder, Cornelia Brooke. Property Owner's Guide to the Maintenance and Repair of Stone Buildings Technical Series/ No. 5. Albany, New York: The Preservation League of New York State, 1977.

Prudon, Theodore H.M. "The Case Against Removing Paint from Brick Masonry." The Old House Journal, III:2 (February 1975). pp. 6-7.

. "Removing Stains from Masonry." The Old House Journal. V:5 (May 1977), pp. 58-59.

Stambolov. T. and J.R.J. Van Asperen de Boer. The Deterioration and Conservation of Porous Building Material in Monuments: A Review of the Literature. Second enlarged edition. Rome: International Centre for Conservation, 1976.

Weiss, Norman R. "Cleaning of Building Exteriors: Problems and Procedures of Dirt Removal." Technology and Conservation, 2/76 (Fall 1976), pp. 8-13.

. Exterior Cleaning of Historic Masonry Buildings. Draft. Washington, D.C.: Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation, Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1976.

Acknowledgements This Preservation Brief was written by Anne E. Grimmer, Architectural Historian, Technical Preservation Services Division. Valuable suggestions and comments were made by Hugh C. Miller, AIA, Washington, D.C.; Martin E. Weaver, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Terry Bryant, Downers Grove, Illinois; Daniel C. Cammer, McLean, Virginia; and the professional staff of Technical Preservation Services Division. Deborah Cooney edited the final manuscript.

The Illustrations for this brief not specifically credited are from the flies of the Technical Preservation Services Division.

Washington, D.C. June, 1979

http://www2.cr.nps.gov/tps/briefs/brief06.htrn 03/05/2002

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