I think this is an excellent definition of a good masonry cleaning job,
one that Ken worked on.

As an duly elected officer of BP I move that this be written into the
bylaws.

All in favor.

-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Follett <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
<[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, September 20, 1999 5:19 PM
Subject: Re: Masonry Cleaning, good and bad examples.


>In a message dated 9/20/99 4:23:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>[log in to unmask] writes:
>
>>  What are some really good cleaning projects in the NYC area - and some
>really bad ones?
>
>Christopher,
>
>Nextdoor to 24-26 East 95th Street (Diller-Quaile School of Music) there is
a
>really bad cleaning job going on right now. No-name contractor using acidic
>chemicals to clean brick and limestone (not supposed to use acid on
>limestone), & they are splashing over onto our recently, and properly,
>cleaned brick & limestone work. If you run over quick you might catch them
in
>the act of not only screwing up their building but their neighbor's
building
>as well. I very much doubt these folks have an LPC permit. Let me know if
you
>want to talk to anyone about it.
>
>There is a Church over near us in Brooklyn that was cleaned a few years ago
>that ended up with very prominent evidence of acid burning of the brick. If
>you need address let me know. Very good example of a bad job.
>
>Having been to the Belnord in the past a few times for practice in
estimating
>I imagine the cleaning is not first rate. I suspect there may not be a
>conservator or preservation experienced architect involved.
>
>A good masonry cleaning job: Barnes & Noble Bookstore at Union Square, both
>north and south elevations (disclosure -- we did it). Won several awards.
If
>you look at the B &N you will notice areas that look dirty. A "good "
>cleaning job stops before damage is done, and therefore the building may
not
>appear to be really clean clean. The common perception of "clean" is
>immaculate in appearance, this is a rare achievement and to best effect if
>you start with an already clean building. Dealing with expectations as to,
>"What is clean?" is, for me, the most difficult part of a cleaning project.
>Before you can settle on good/bad cleaning jobs you have to define clean. A
>good cleaning job is one that reveals hidden problems, pleases the
customer,
>and does not damage the masonry. I think there are more good cleaning jobs
in
>NYC than otherwise. On the larger buildings the owners tend to be more
>cautious & deal w/ quality firms. The bad cleaning job is the exception. My
>conjecture is that bad cleaning jobs occur more frequently on townhouses
and
>smaller projects.
>
>][<en
>