ASTM E1857-97
(Guide)Standard Guide for Selection of Cleaning Techniques for Masonry, Concrete, and Stucco Surfaces
Standard Guide for Selection of Cleaning Techniques for Masonry, Concrete, and Stucco Surfaces
SCOPE
1.1 This guide outlines procedures for the selection and assessment of cleaning techniques for removing soiling and staining from masonry, concrete, and stucco surfaces. Removal of paints, coatings, and graffiti may require measures beyond the scope of this guide. New construction is excluded from the scope of this guide.
1.2 This guide does not purport to address the causes of soiling or staining or to propose remedies for recurring soiling or staining.
1.3 Where work on surfaces of artistic, architectural, cultural, or historic significance is being considered, guidance from specialists should be sought.
1.4 This guide does not purport to address removal and replacement of prior repairs, repair of damaged surfaces, or other irregularities that contribute to the uneven or discolored appearance of masonry, concrete, and stucco surfaces.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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An American National Standard
Designation:E1857–97
Standard Guide for
Selection of Cleaning Techniques for Masonry, Concrete,
and Stucco Surfaces
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1857; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 coating—clearorpigmentedsurfacetreatmentapplied
1.1 This guide outlines procedures for the selection and
for aesthetic improvement, enhanced durability, or other pur-
assessment of cleaning techniques for removing soiling and
pose.
staining from masonry, concrete, and stucco surfaces. Removal
3.2.2 contaminant—a foreign substance not intentionally
of paints, coatings, and graffiti may require measures beyond
introduced to a surface.
the scope of this guide. New construction is excluded from the
3.2.3 muriatic acid—commercial grades of hydrochloric
scope of this guide.
acid that often contain iron impurities.
1.2 This guide does not purport to address the causes of
3.2.4 nebulized water spray—cleaning with a mist of water
soiling or staining or to propose remedies for recurring soiling
from fine nozzles.
or staining.
3.2.5 poultice—cleaning systems composed of one or more
1.3 Where work on surfaces of artistic, architectural, cul-
liquids mixed with powder to form a paste.
tural, or historic significance is being considered, guidance
3.2.6 soiling—a deposit of finely divided particulate matter
from specialists should be sought.
or other contaminants adhered to the surface.
1.4 This guide does not purport to address removal and
3.2.7 soiling crust—accumulationofsoilingintoahardened
replacement of prior repairs, repair of damaged surfaces, or
layer at the surface. Partial or complete detachment of the crust
other irregularities that contribute to the uneven or discolored
may damage the substrate.
appearance of masonry, concrete, and stucco surfaces.
3.2.8 staining—a contaminant that has penetrated the sur-
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
face.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.9 surface—the exposed face of masonry, concrete, or
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
stucco.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents 4.1 Cleaning of masonry, concrete, and stucco surfaces is
undertaken for a variety of reasons including aesthetic im-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2 provement,removalofcontaminants,maintenance,andsurface
C 43 Terminology of Structural Clay Products
preparation. This guide provides for selecting, testing, and
C 119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
evaluating cleaning techniques for removal of soiling and
D 4262 Test Method for pH of Chemically Cleaned or
staining.
Etched Concrete Surfaces
5 4.2 Cleaning systems may adversely affect both building
E 631 Terminology of Building Constructions
materials being cleaned as well as other materials, mechanical,
3. Terminology electrical, and other building systems, and building exterior,
interior, and site features.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this guide,
4.3 In some situations, it may be prudent to spot clean or to
see Terminology C 43, C 119, or E 631.
not clean.
4.4 It should be noted that, in some cases, cleaning may be
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance
inconsistent with the goals of historic preservation.
of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.24 on Building
Preservation and Rehabilitation Technology.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1997. Published March 1997.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E1857–97
5. Identification and Characterization of Substrate capable of generating a pressure of 100 to 3000 psi (0.7 to 20
MPa) is commonly used. Surfaces and substrates can be
NOTE 1—The substrate should be identified and characterized before a
damaged by abrasion. Testing should determine the minimum
cleaning method is selected. Building records and any other relevant
effective pressure.The location of the pump with respect to the
historic sources should be reviewed for information about the substrate
nozzle can affect the pressure rating.
and any previous treatments that might affect the proposed cleaning
process.
8.1.1.2 Water Flow Rate—Water supplied by the pump to
the rinsing apparatus measured in gallons per minute (gpm) or
5.1 Substrate samples should be analyzed to describe the
litres per minute (L/min). Pumps delivering 1.5 gpm (3.8
following characteristics:
L/min) may be used effectively in cleaning operations that
5.1.1 Mineralogical composition of major constituents,
require containment or control of effluent. More efficient
5.1.2 Microtexture,
cleaningisgenerallyachievedwithequipmentprovidingaflow
5.1.3 Water solubility,
rate of 4 to 8 gpm (15 to 30 L/min).
5.1.4 Acid solubility,
8.1.1.3 Spray Tip, determines the size and configuration of
5.1.5 Water absorption, and
the water spray delivered to the substrate. Fan-type spray tips
5.1.6 Soluble salt content.
producing 15 to 40° fan spray patterns have proven most
NOTE 2—ASTM describes specific test methods for each masonry type.
effective for cleaning masonry, concrete, and stucco surfaces.
Judgment should be used to select the current test method appropriate to
Laser tips, 0° tips, or fan spray tips with less than 15° spray
the proposed cleaning project.Tests may be modified to accommodate the
patterns produce a concentrated stream of water that may
number and size of available samples.
damage surfaces. Rotating spray heads that produce a scouring
6. Identification of Soiling and Staining
action may also damage surfaces. Care must be taken to keep
6.1 Identification of the composition of soiling or staining the spray tip as far from the surface as possible to provide
present on surfaces to be cleaned will assist in determining effectivecleaning.Waterfromaspraytipheld3ft(0.9m)from
appropriate cleaning techniques for testing. This may be thesubstratemayhavenoadverseeffectonthesurfacebutmay
accomplished through laboratory testing. Cleaning techniques remove the surface of the substrate when held 6 in. (150 mm)
should always be further evaluated in test areas. from the wall.
8.1.2 Water Cleaning Methods:
7. Selection Criteria
8.1.2.1 Nebulized Water Spray—Effective for removal of
soiling or other deposits from surfaces that could not withstand
7.1 Performance goals for cleaning masonry, concrete, or
high pressure water or abrasive cleaning techniques.
stucco surfaces should be established prior to selection of the
8.1.2.2 Pressure Water Spray—Effective for removal of
cleaning technique.
7.2 Selection of cleaning techniques shall be based on the loosely adhered soiling.
8.1.3 Limitations—Problemsassociatedwithwatercleaning
following factors:
7.2.1 The level of cleanness desired, include intrusion of water into interior spaces, brown staining
when iron-containing minerals are present, and the encourage-
7.2.2 The effectiveness of the cleaning system,
7.2.3 Adverse effects to the surfaces, substrates and related ment of biological growth. When water pressures are exces-
sive,thesurfacecanbeabraded.Metaltoolsshouldnotbeused
components, and adjacent surfaces,
7.2.4 Environmental concerns, such as human exposure and as scrubbing implements.
the collection, neutralization, and disposal of cleaning residue
8.2 Chemical Cleaning, relies on chemical reaction to
and run-off, and dissolve, capture, or mobilize soiling or staining. Chemical
7.2.5 Other practical considerations such as time and cost
cleaning utilizies detergents, organic solvents, acids, and alka-
factors. lis. Cleaning compounds, which are often proprietary products,
are available as water-thin liquids and as thickened gels.
8. Cleaning Techniques
Poultices can be used for removal of stains. Use of a chemical
in conjunction with water washing reduces both the chemical
NOTE 3—The following cleaning techniques are not necessarily listed
concentrations and the water volume required. In most cases,
in order of aggressiveness. It is the responsibility of the user of this guide
chemical cleaning should be preceded and followed by thor-
to determine the advantages and disadvantages of the various cleaning
procedures as they relate to the surfaces being cleaned. Whenever
ough water rinsing. Poultices enhance removal when staining
possible, contact the masonry, concrete, or stucco manufacturers and
is deeply deposited.
suppliers,thecleaningproductmanufacturers,andthecleaningequipment
NOTE 4—Application frequently involves use of proprietary chemical
manufacturers to determine compatibility. Specialists may also be con-
cleaning compounds. Products should be used in accordance with the
sulted.
manufacturer’s recommendations for suitability, protection, dilution, ap-
8.1 Water Cleaning, relies on the ability of water to dis-
plication, surface contact times, and rinsing procedures.
solve, swell, and loosen soiling and staining, enabling their
8.2.1 Chemical Types:
removal from the surface. Mechanical scrubbing may enhance
removal when staining is deeply deposited. 8.2.1.1 Detergents—Suitableforremovalofdust,dirt,water
8.1.1 The effectiveness of water cleaning is influenced by soluble surface contaminants, oil, grease, and other emulsifi-
the following factors: able staining materials. Water-detergent solutions can be
8.1.1.1 Pressure Rating, refers to the gauge pressure mea- acidic, alkaline, or pH neutral. Neutral pH detergents are
sured at the nozzle of the cleaning equipment. Equipment sometimes referred to as nonionic.
E1857–97
8.2.1.2 Organic Solvents—Suitable for removal of caulking 8.2.2.8 Metal tools should not be used as scrubbing imple-
compound residues, oils, grease, bituminous materials, and ments.
other stains that are not soluble in water.
8.3 Abrasive Cleaning, relies on the mechanical application
of a material to remove soiling or stains from a substrate.
NOTE 5—Organic solvents are frequently flammable and combustible.
8.3.1 Types of Abrasive Cleaning:
They must be used in accordance with all applicable safety and environ-
mental regulations concerning flammable, toxic, and combustible materi-
8.3.1.1 Mechanical Scrubbing, is effective for removal of
als.
surface dust and debris deposited on or loosely adhered to
surfaces.
8.2.1.3 Acids—Suitable for removal of dust, dirt, water
8.3.1.2 Wet Abrasion, is effective for removal of a variety of
soluble surface contaminants, oil, grease, soot, fly ash, hydro-
types of soiling. Wet abrasion combines the dirt softening and
carbon residues, biological growth, and stains due to polluted
rinsingpropertiesofwaterwiththeabilityofabrasivematerials
environments. When using acidic cleaners, care must be taken
to erode soiling from the surface. Wet abrasion reduces
to ensure complete removal or neutralization of acidic residues
airborne matter, allows greater control of abrasive materials
after the cleaning process. This is done by measuring the
during the cleaning process, and may reduce the time required
surface pH in accordance with Test Method D 4262. When
to achieve the desired level of cleaning.
evaluating surface pH, the pH of the substrate prior to cleaning
and that of the rinse water must be considered. Alkaline 8.3.1.3 DryAbrasion,iseffectiveforremovalofavarietyof
neutralizing rinses are sometimes used in conjunction with types of soiling. Abrasive grit is applied with air pressure to
erode soiling matter from treated surfaces. Select the least
acidic cleaners. The resulting salts should be removed by
rinsing with water. In addition to surface pH, the ion content of damaging abrasive materials and lowest air pressure sufficient
for cleaning.
the rinse water can be monitored.
8.2.1.4 Alkalis—Suitable for removal of dust, dirt, water
8.3.1.4 Sanding/grinding, is effective for removal of a
soluble surface contaminants, oil, grease, soot, fly ash, hydro-
variety of surface soiling.
carbon residues, grease, biological growth, and stains due to
8.3.2 Limitations—If the surface is to be retained, abrasive
polluted environments. When using alkaline chemicals, care
cleaning may not be appropriate. Care must be taken to avoid
must be taken to ensure complete removal or neutralization of
damage by airborne dust depositing on or entering into treated
alkaline residues after the cleaning process. This is done by
and adjacent properties or mechanical systems and to avoid
measuring surface pH in accordance withTest Method D 4262.
excessive erosion of surfaces. Abrasive cleaning should never
When evaluating surface pH, the pH of the substrate prior to
be performed on masonry units with sand or slurry finishes.
cleaning and of the rinse water must be considered. Acidic
With both wet and dry abrasion, hard or sharp edged abrasives
neutralizing rinses are sometimes used in conjunction with
can irreparably damage soft substrates.All cautions associated
alkaline cleaners. The resulting salts should be removed by
with water washing and pressure washing equipment should be
rinsing with water. In addition to surface pH, the ion content of
considered. With sanding and grinding, care must be taken to
the rinse water can be monitored.
avoid surface variations created by uneven application of
8.2.2 Limitations:
abrasionmaterial.Sanding/grindingmaynotbesuitableforuse
8.2.2.1 All limitations associated with the use of water
on carved or molded surfaces.
cleaning should be considered for chemical cleaning.
8.2.2.2 When pressure rinsing equipment is used in con-
9. Test Areas
junction with chemical cleaning compounds, attention must be
9.1 Test areas should be used to evaluate the appropriate-
given to selecting appropriate equipment. Care must be taken
ness and effectiveness of cleaning techniques. It is safer to use
to use sufficient water to remove all chemical residues and
a trial-and-error method on a test area before committing the
dissolved soiling and staining from the surfaces.
entire project to one procedure. This is especially true when
8.2.2.3 Acidic cleaners applied to polished surfaces may
cleaning an unfamiliar substrate or using an unfamiliar clean-
reduce or rem
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