Stone Cleaning
The Ideal Group specialises in stone restoration, including stone cleaning, pointing, and paint removal. The Ideal Group is a family run business with over ten years’ experience.
We are also members of the society for the protection of ancient buildings.
If you have a stone problem we have the solution! Our extensive expertise is available throughout the service, and we are keen to work with you to restore your building.
You will find our approach professional, and our senior managers ready and able to team up with you on your project. They are always on hand to provide a suggested approach, technical advice, and pricing on any specific requirements.
We have a capable management team that are able to offer a wealth of experience on all stone cleaning and stone restoration projects. Our driveway cleaning service is second to none.
Areas / market we cover
We provide stone cleaning services to both commercial and domestic customers, working throughout the UK on a variety of building types.
Availability of service
Please feel free to ring any time on 0162 2632 910 to arrange a free audit of your stone cleaning needs. Along with a detailed quotation, we will provide advice on how to bring the stone back to its original condition and preserve the look for years to come.
Advantages of our service
We are accredited and approved in the use of the following cleaning systems:
- The JOS/Torc “Vortex cleaning system”.
- Doff Cleaning System ‘Superheated Water’.
All projects are different, and no single approach can apply for the sensitive removal of surface pollutants. Ideal Group has developed a range of different brick cleaning techniques to provide top quality service for any project. We find that the best way to clean materials such as York stone, brick and terracotta, and even wood, safely, is with the Jos/Torc system.
Buildings that are cleaned without proper care leave the structure too clean, removing the patina of age and causing mobilization of soluble salts, which may lead to rapid decay of the stonework and require expensive brick restoration. Of greater concern is the possibility of future problems. For example, the face brick is easily damaged when cleaning, and once damaged the decay of brickwork can be rapid.
The JOS/Torc system has been designed to work where pressure and water could cause damage to very delicate surfaces and old defective stonework.
The JOS technique works with water (up to 10 gallons per hour), a mixture of low air pressure and fine, inert abrasive powder. This together forms a swirling vortex, which removes unwanted elements such as carbon deposits, dirt and scale, graffiti, and certain types of paints, from a wide variety of surface materials. We have a number of JOS nozzles available for most tasks. The standard nozzle will efficiently and quickly clean most surfaces. For more detailed work we used a micro nozzle, and when matched with a soft abrasive powder such as Calcite or Dolomite, it will not harm the surface. The JOS is a safe, environmentally friendly, chemical free system, which makes it ideal for City Centre use. Some of the most prestigious buildings in London are currently being cleaned with the JOS/Torc.
This method allows the safe removal of carbon pollutants from: stone, brick, concrete terracotta, ceramic tiles, glass, & many other materials. It also works on Bronze, Brass, Copper Anodised Aluminium products, Oxidation/Sulphuration etc.
Another method of cleaning that we have employed for many years is the DOFF System of ‘Superheated Water’.
The DOFF system is different from other’ hot water’ or ‘steam’ systems currently available. The temperature can be increased up to 150C if necessary, as it is actually ‘superheated’ water that exits the nozzle, and should not be confused with Pressure or hot water cleaners; this is not just hot (70-90), or steam. The desired temperature settings can be adjusted by the operator and are independent of pressure. The Doff; is a Non-toxic paint removal alternative to shot blasting, though it is not suitable for delicate decaying stonework or old lime washes, but it can be particularly useful for the removal of biological growth or oil-based and emulsion paints.
Please feel free to ring any time on 0162 2632 910 to arrange a free audit of your stone cleaning needs.
