Few historic buildings have not suffered from defective roofs, rising damp, or leaking pipes. Apart from the physical damage to the affected masonry, there is usually streaking and efflorescence, or the blistering of paint decoration. This presentation will describe and explain these changes and offer options to lessen or remove them.
Jamie Fairchild, Director of Restorative Techniques Limited, is a specialist in masonry cleaning and coating removal since 1994, and a tutor for the Masonry Cleaning, Concrete Conservation, and Coatings & Surface Treatments Master Classes at West Dean College Chichester.
Jamie is author of the cleaning and coatings texts of 'Practical Building Conservation Volume Concrete' (English Heritage 2013), also writing several online articles including:
- 'Abrasive Cleaning Methods for Masonry' (Building Conservation Directory 2016)
- 'Terracotta and Faience' (Context, Institute of Historic Building Conservation, March 2016)
- 'Can Masonry Cleaning Ever Be Considered Truly Safe ?' (Building Conservation Directory 2019)
Jamie is co-author of 'Graffiti on Historic Buildings' (Historic England Advice and Guidance document Feb 2021).
Restorative Techniques are Bristol-based manufacturers consulting on cleaning and paint removal equipment. Working with historic and modern buildings and structures, memorials, and sculptures in stone, brick, concrete, metals, and timber.
Restorative equipment and products have been used across past and present projects in the UK:
- The Palace of Westminster and Elizabeth Tower
- Canterbury Cathedral and Gatehouse
- Freemasons Hall
- Somerset House
- Hampton Court
- Kensington Palace
Internationally they have been used in the cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Washington DC, USA, and Victoria, Hong Kong.
