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Black fungal stains Patzcuaro Mexico (C) Daniel Friedman Index to Causes of Stains on or in buildings

Guide to diagnosing, removing, preventing stains on building exteriors or interiors:

This article describes the types of stains found on building surfaces and on cultural artifacts. We provide photographs and advice on identifying, cleaning, and preventing algae, moss, lichens, or fungal growth that occurs on roofs, walls, siding, trim, interiors, and on stone surfaces such as buildings, gravestones, sidewalks, stone walls, and in nature. We include links to references useful in the identification of algae, moss, lichens, and mold.

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The Guide to Types of Stains on Building Surfaces:

Black stains on stone wall  (Daniel Friedman)

This website tells readers how to identify, evaluate, remove or prevent stains on building surfaces.

In the following guide to building and cultural artifact stains and growths on surfaces, we list types of stains by stain color & appearance, by building location or material, and by stain cause.

We distinguish among the following stuff that may stain or be found growing building roofs, walls, or other surfaces, with extra focus on asphalt shingle roofs as well as other roofing materials such as wood shingles, wood shakes, roll roofing, and even slate or tile roofs.

Some of these types of roof, wall, siding, stone, or interior stains or discoloration are only cosmetic in nature, while others may indicate growths that are likely to reduce the roof covering life. A more detailed, illustrated version of the exterior building stain list below is

at STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS.

Algae growth on vinyl siding (C) Daniel Friedman


 

Building Stain Cause, Prevention, Removal Research

Here is the basis of cleaning hard surfaces of furnishings.

Chemicals, either alone or in combination, are used to dissolve or break down the unwanted dirt, rust, grease, etc., without damaging the surface itself. These include bleaches, acids and solvents, the most widely used solvent being water!

Absorbent substances take up grease, moisture and liquids. Some of them are french chalk, talcum powder, fullers earth, soft cloths, blotters, and facial tissues. Abrasives are used to rub off or wear away the offending build-up. You move the abrasive on the surface by rubbing, shaking, etc.

Abrasives include whiting, pumice, rottenstone, cigar ash, and for some needs, small pebbles or gunshot.

Many times combinations of cleaning materials and ways of cleaning are needed. This is because soil, grease and corrosion are combinations of many reactions and substances.

Only the laboratory chemist should experiment with chemical reactions. The rest of us should understand that we are working with chemicals; that some of them can be dangerous; that we should follow directions as given.

The basis of care of a hard surface in furnishings is preserving the finish by protecting it, removal of surface dust, and, when needed, feeding and conditioning the material from which it is made. Care supplies and methods vary from dusting with a dry, soft, lintless cloth to the use of a cloth that is treated to pick up and hold dust, to washing with clear water; to feeding wood by rubbing with suitable oil. Care supplies are based on their compatibility with the material of the furnishing. Wood, marble, leather, brass and other metals -each requires its own care plan. Follow the advice given.

Commercially-made cleaners and polishes are on the market. You may prefer to purchase them instead of making your own. However, you will be a better consumer by knowing the types of ingredients that should be used for cleaning and polishing.

Unless you can ask a furniture store dealer, hardware or paint store dealer or a manufacturer an informed question, he cannot give you an informed answer. When the dealer or manufacturer understands what you want to know and why, almost always you will get accurate information as requested.

 




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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

Question: bleach damaged building siding by making it uneven in colour

(May 12, 2014) Robert Walters said:
my house is clear stained. it hasn't been recoated in quite awhile. i washed it with a bleach water solution but the clapboards are colored unevenly. is there anything i can do to have the surface be uniform in color before i clear coat it again.

Reply:

Robert,

I suspect that the bleach remained on some surface areas more than others, thus bleaching those areas to a lighter color. That may happen because of uneven wash absorption into the siding or because of inconsistencies in wash-down of the bleach solution.

At this point, telling you to apply a close-match stain to the whole wall may still not give good results, because if some old clear coat remains the new stain won't absorb evenly either.

I'd like to see some sharp photos of the situation (use the CONTACT US link at page top or bottom);

You may decide to test a pigmented stain to see if it will bond to the surface and even out the colors.


...

Continue reading at STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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Suggested citation for this web page

STAINS on & in BUILDINGS, CAUSES & CURES at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to BUILDING STAINS

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