External walls of brick and stone have many enemies; time, pollution, the weather, moss, algae and lichen, to name a few!
All of these things conspire to make our homes, businesses and public buildings look grimy, neglected and unappealing. In addition, they will eventually cause the brick and stone to crack and crumble, exposing the interior to excess moisture that results in problems with mould and damp, not to mention the cost of repairs.
The trouble is that attempts to clean off the organic growth, dirt and soot are not always effective. And those that are effective can sometimes damage the brick or masonry surfaces beneath.
However, innovative methods of cleaning masonry and brickwork have revolutionised the industry, allowing us to restore walls to their former glory without any damage.
One of these innovations is known as the TORC cleaning system, and it's just one of the tools that the RenWash team uses in their battle against grime.
The TORC system was developed by a company called Stonehealth Limited as a development of the popular JOS system, introduced around 20 years ago. The idea was to produce a highly efficient cleaning system for heritage buildings effectively while eliminating the risk of surface damage to the original stone.
The TORC works on the same principle as the JOS system: a swirling vortex of water is mixed with safe, inert fine granules and sprayed onto the brick or stone using low air pressure. The difference is that the TORC has been vastly improved to use far less water and to use a very fine inert granulate.
This excellent stone cleaning system has many benefits, mainly due to its distinctive feature - a revolutionary modulated nozzle that creates a gentle swirling vortex.
Here are the plus points of the TORC cleaning system:
The TORC vortex cleaning system can be used safely on brickwork, stone, various metals, concrete, wood, marble and render. The fine inert granulate and air mixture is ideal for the gentle removal of all manner of contaminants without causing any damage to delicate or sensitive surfaces.
The TORC cleaning system has proved its usefulness in removing almost every kind of surface coating, muck and organic matter you can think of, including cement-based paints, paint residues, limescale (calcium carbonate), bitumen, old oil-based paints, flaky/brittle paints, carbon sulphation and smoke damage. It will also make short work of plant growth, such as moss, lichen, algae, fungus and mould.
Although the TORC vortex cleaning system is one of the best methods of cleaning masonry or brickwork on heritage buildings, it is ideal for restoring more recently built properties to pristine condition. It provides a naturally clean look that evokes astonishment in the property owners every time the RenWash team finishes a project.
Cladding is frequently used in modern construction projects, and this can become weathered and jaded over the years. The TORC vortex cleaning system provides a fresh-looking finish to tired cladding, no matter what material it is made from!
New builds aren't immune from becoming dirty or contaminated by unwanted surface coatings: cement, lime, paint and all manner of construction materials are accidentally spilt on brickwork, timber or masonry during the building works. The TORC system has had great success cleaning brickwork on newly built structures that have experienced spills and accidents.
This highly efficient cleaning system doesn't require chemicals, it uses low volumes of water, and it allows rapid cleaning of many different types of surface.
There's zero risk of harm to humans, pets, wildlife or nearby plant life, which is great news for everyone.
All of this makes it a very environmentally friendly choice, another reason why it's the preferred method of many specialist cleaning companies.
The equipment can be easily packed into the RenWash vehicles, making it possible to reach most areas where it is needed. In most cases, we don't need any extra assistance, such as access to water or an external power source.
This allows us to act quickly and efficiently to get the job done without any fuss.
Although it was specifically designed for cleaning stone surfaces on listed buildings, period and heritage properties, it is ideal for cleaning many other materials. As well as being one of the most efficient methods, it eliminates the need for harmful chemicals.
That makes it a preferred method for many property cleaning companies when working on residential houses of all ages, schools, shops, commercial properties and public buildings. In fact, it's so safe that it is often used in parks or environmentally sensitive sites where brickwork or masonry is in need of cleaning.
You may find a TORC machine for hire, but only for specialist organisations and cleaning companies. They are sold exclusively by Stonehealth and then only to trained operators. These are highly complex machines that require training and dedication to get the best results.
Even if you can lay your hands on one, it would be wise to leave this job to the experts!
One of the beauties of this system is that it is quick and efficient: even a large house should take no more than a couple of days to complete! Smaller properties are usually finished within a single day, so we'll soon be out of your way.
Of course, the state of your walls and the size of the project will affect the time taken.
There are so many variables involved that it's extremely difficult to put an exact cost on a project without knowing the full details. To begin with, we would use our expertise to assess whether TORC cleaning is the best solution to your problem.
We also need to know the nature of the substrate, the extent and type of contamination involved, and the size and scale of the work.
Rather than offer a potentially misleading figure, it's best if you contact our friendly team who will prepare an accurate quote that's tailored to your specific requirements.
The TORC machine was invented as a complete stone cleaning system, and the RenWash team frequently uses this to achieve amazing results on stone cleaning projects.
However, we don't limit ourselves to cleaning masonry!
Our staff are highly skilled and trained in a wide range of methods and techniques, and can apply these to cleaning any type of substrate material, no matter how caked in moss, paint or muck it may be.
To discover more about our exceptional cleaning services, call today and our team will provide a free, no-obligation quote for your project.
We are so confident in our TORC cleaning services that we stake our reputation on the outstanding results it achieves every time. But don't take our word for it, see how effective it is for yourself!
The TORC cleaning system can clean a wide range of natural stone surfaces, including marble, granite, sandstone, limestone, and others.
Traditional cleaning methods such as acid etching, wire brushing, and sandblasting are thought to be less effective and efficient than the TORC cleaning system. It is also less invasive and does not harm the stone's surface.
Yes, the TORC cleaning system is environmentally friendly because it does not use harsh chemicals and recycles the water used.
Yes, when using the TORC cleaning system, it is critical to take necessary safety precautions such as wearing personal protective equipment, properly maintaining the equipment, and properly training operators.
