Yeah, what they said.

(I have to un-lurk once in a while!)

Do we dare get into the philosophical quagmire that is
the definition of "clean" when it comes to buildings? It
seems there are several camps on this topic, though
maybe not on this list.  Perhaps "as schmutz-free as
possible while leaving the building fabric intact and
not harming the surroundings/inhabitants/passers-
by/environment/budget."

- Johnette
> Ralph / Chris
>
> Sent: 15 December 2000 2:49 PM
> Subject: Re: NYAC cleaning and LIHS tight brick joints
>
> << 1.  Gee, Ralph, the cleaning on the limestone base of the NY Athletic
> Club
> [a high rise clubhouse in New York on Central Park South] - it seems kind of
> ...
>  harsh.  Is it?
> >>>>>>>>>>>Uh. Er. Mmmm. Well, let me say this about that: We had the best
> advice money could buy ... We did the best we all could, and the cleaned
> building is beyond a doubt better off than it was, given the potential for
> physical deterioration of the stone if the encrusted soil (which had
> developed physical thickness)  had stayed on longer.  As you observed,
> better
> results were obtained in some areas than in others; I would've liked to have
> gotten the last of the soil off, but we got to the point where some of this
> was so encrusted that it wouldn't come off without abrasion, which we wanted
> to avoid for fear of further damage.  Most of the variations in cleanliness
> results from due to inconsistencies in the accumulations of schmutz
> (primarily airborne soil, but also verdigris from bronze light fixtures,
> grease from kitchen exhausts, combinations of this crud, differing
> thicknesses, etc) from one area to the next;  but there are also variations
> in the porosity and occlusions within the stone which affect how effective
> the cleaning is going to be.  The result is that an effective technique on
> one stain in one area (or a range of techniques on a range of stains) may be
> less effective-- or overly aggressive-- in another area.
>
> As a self-confessed technogeek, I hereby support Ralph's (painfully
> torturous) explanation about the cleaning of the limestone.  Had a similar
> sort of problem but nowhere near as bad.  Of course, the question some
> people might ask is ... "did they trial Facade Gommage?"
>
> >>>>>>>>>Anybody heard yet from david about our mass application for
> political asylum?
> Are preservationists as welcome in Australia as Filipino nurses and Indian
> doctors are here?<<<<<<<<
>
> Current flavour of the month / year is IT.  If you can speak computers, then
> you're welcome.  Given the plethora of heritage architects we have out here
> ... suspect it could be difficult.  Tradespeople however should be welcomed
> with open arms.  Except maybe stonemasons (although maybe even they could
> get in before heritage architects).
>
> Of course, with the current exchange rate of the Australian peso, yo'all
> might qualify under the business migrant program with money to invest.
>
> Cheers
>
> david