The effects of ivy are much more subtle than that, including, increased acidity due to lack of drying and certain ivy actually produces acidity as a start. Stones with silica are highly susceptible.

Best,

Leland

Leland R. S. Torrence

Leland Torrence Enterprises and the Guild

17 Vernon Court, Woodbridge, CT 06525

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From: His reply: “No. Have you read The Lazy Teenager by Virtual Reality?” [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
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Subject: [BP] lord this is going to make you conservation nerds so damned happy...

American Architect and Building News December 3, 1924

Ivy and Its Dangers

There exist two principal ways of destroying buildings, both equally efficient ... a) dynamite, b) ivy, states "The Builder" (London). Once ivy has attained a real grip on a building it will send its roots into every crevice of the wall, sucking the mortar into dry dust; its tendrils will wedge the stones apart, and its branches act as sails to catch the wind. Sooner or later during a storm the building collapses and everyone attributes this to the action of time instead of attaching the blame to ivy. But even if Ivy had not these deadly attributes there would be nothing beyond a vague sentimentality to urge in favor of its existence even on old ruins.