Please fill in the form below and we will get back to you.
Alternatively email us at estimating@dbrlimited.com or for urgent enquiries call us on 020 7277 7775.
Cleaning Trials
Multiple Projects
1 / 2
Every historic building ages differently. Layers of pollution, biological growth, weathering, and previous repairs all leave their mark, making no two conservation projects the same. Before any cleaning specification can be developed, the building itself must reveal how it has changed over time.
DBR London was appointed to undertake specialist cleaning trials across several nationally significant heritage sites, investigating the nature of surface soiling and identifying the safest, most effective methods of cleaning while preserving the integrity of the original stonework.
Location
London, Oxford, Bristol, Sussex
Grade listing
Grade I
Investigating the façade through cleaning trials
Our approach begins with careful investigation rather than immediate intervention.
Selected trial areas were established across the façades to assess the extent of soiling, evaluate previous weathering, and understand how different materials would respond to cleaning. Each trial informed the wider conservation strategy, ensuring recommendations were evidence-led and tailored to the individual building.
Three specialist cleaning systems were assessed throughout the programme, including superheated water (ThermaTech), nebulous water cleaning, and the gentle JOS/TORC micro-abrasive system. By comparing the results of each method, we were able to determine the optimum balance between effective cleaning and minimal intervention.
Choosing the right method for historic fabric
Historic masonry demands a considered approach. Every cleaning technique was selected according to the condition of the substrate, the type of soiling present, and the long-term conservation requirements of the building.
Rather than aiming to make stone appear new, our objective was to remove harmful deposits while retaining the character, patina, and craftsmanship that define these historic landmarks. Careful observation, testing, and documentation ensured each recommendation supported both the visual restoration and long-term preservation of the building.
Trusted across Britain's landmark buildings
The same conservation-led approach has been delivered across some of the UK's most recognised heritage sites, where sensitive cleaning has formed a critical part of wider restoration programmes.
Our experience includes cleaning and conservation works at the V&A Museum Madejski Garden, Somerset House, Natural History Museum (Waterhouse Building), Clandon Park, and numerous other Grade I and Grade II listed buildings. Each project has presented its own challenges, but every one has reinforced the importance of understanding the building before deciding how best to conserve it.
Preserving history through careful conservation
Successful cleaning is measured not by how much is removed, but by how much history is preserved.
Through detailed investigation, carefully controlled trials, and conservation-led decision making, DBR London delivers cleaning strategies that protect historic fabric while revealing the craftsmanship beneath decades of environmental soiling. Every project contributes to the long-term care of Britain's architectural heritage, ensuring these remarkable buildings continue to tell their stories for generations to come.
