Martin Beaumont, founder of Monty Miracle, explains what builders should be doing to properly maintain their masonry projects.
A lot of skill goes into creating good masonry walls so maintaining the results is only right. This is not about cleaning after any damage is done, this is about maintenance – making sure that the lovely stone is protected throughout the year.
Winter frosts can cause cracks in masonry, creating the perfect breeding ground for organic growth, moss and algae – and if left untreated, these can damage the surface, as well as looking unsightly. Wet weather encourages that growth – and we’ve had the wettest winter in 130 years – but the Met office is predicting a good summer, so homeowners will want to be outside to enjoy their gardens.
It’s vital that organic moss is dealt with and that any tiny cracks are not worsened by the wrong kind of aggressive cleaning maintenance throughout the year. It’s more than getting the gardens and home walls looking good, it’s also about protecting the materials used.
Stone will last for years. It’s important that customers are familiar with the different types of stone you have used, as they are all very different. Limestone is the one most commonly used and is created by a material – usually silicon – holding together lots of tiny grains. It tends to have a smoother surface and more consistent colour. Concrete is the second-most-used substance in the world after water and is the most widely used building material.
Unfortunately, it can be susceptible to damage, especially water damage. It is porous and can absorb water, which can lead to cracking and help promote organic growth. This can allow water to travel further into a foundation which can lead to structural damage. Granite, as you would expect, is the toughest of the natural stones. Thermally stable, it is the least porous. While these materials all differ, they share the same quality – they need to be protected and washed with a gentle soft approach. Professional Builders can educate their customers about this, which will help them get the most durable results when they clean it in the future.
Masonry will not retain its lovely appearance without regular maintenance, and I would always recommend cleaning stone surfaces thoroughly twice a year – brushing regularly to remove debris, weeding to remove unwelcome greenery and then using a soft washing solution to restore the materials natural lustre all year round, without causing any damage.
Aggressive jet washing might seem appealing but it can take the top layer off stone, leaving it vulnerable to the elements. It can also blast away jointing between stones and doesn’t actually deep clean the organic growth, it just pushes the roots deeper, so it comes back year on year, meaning it needs to be done more frequently – using more effort, creating a thankless task.
Gently washing with a liquid such as Monty Miracle is a kinder approach. It’s simply applied to the surface then left for ten minutes before rinsing. The product’s unique formulation cleans, cleanses and eliminates organic growth and organic staining, and following the process the solution is fully neutralised allowing it to safely go into the soil or down drains. It’s more eco–friendly, quicker, and kinder to the materials.
Good masonry work is a skill. Which is why the care, cleaning and maintenance of it is so important. By advising customers well, away from a ‘fast fix’, builders can be sure that their handiwork will remain looking good – with the stone respected and protected for years to come.
For further information on Monty Miracle visit https://montymiracle.co.uk/
