Stone Repair FAQ's
We’re on hand to help you learn more about common stone restoration and conservation issues and provide an introduction to the key phrases and basic principles that underpin our range of related services. We hope that our list of frequently asked questions will help make the process of beginning to deal with structural repair problems as simple as possible.
- What are the principal causes of stone decay?
- There is a relationship between stone decay and the amount of water to which a stone structure is exposed. Where a cornice or other details that are designed to divert water away from a face have failed, this relationship is especially pronounced. As water continually penetrates the stone and later evaporates, this sets off a process of stone erosion. Freeze thaw cycles, evaporation processes in which expansive slat crystals manifest near the surface, coupled with exposure to large volumes of water magnify the cycles of stone decay.
- How can stone decay be avoided?
- Whilst stone erosion occurs naturally over the passage of time and is exacerbated by atmospheric pollution and other external factors, most problems are attributable to how well a structure has been maintained. It’s always best to avoid costly, unforeseen stone repair / stone restoration work by undertaking a planned programme of maintenance.
- Is it acceptable to clean stone structures?
- The cleaning of natural stone or brickwork can enhance the appearance of a structure and reveal defects which may have otherwise gone undetected. However, stone cleaning is not something to be undertaken lightly.
This page belongs to our Stone Restoration & Conservation section.
