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Conservation & Heritage Cleaning for Historic Buildings with Dry Ice Blasting

Careful cleaning for stone, brick, timber and metal in historic settings. We protect original fabric while removing soot, salts, paint residues and grime. Methods are dry, low-pressure and low-dust. Work is planned with surveys, test patches and clear risk assessments.

What is Dry Ice Blasting?

Dry ice blasting uses compressed air to propel solid CO₂ pellets at the surface. On contact, the pellets turn to gas (sublimation). This lifts soiling and breaks the bond with coatings. There is no water and no secondary abrasive left behind. Waste is only the material removed.

When we use it

Dry ice is useful on soot, smoke residues, tar, grease, light coatings and general grime. It is gentle on detail, so it suits carved timber, intricate stonework and fixtures. It can help with varnish or paint where the aim is to thin or release layers without scouring the substrate.

When we choose other methods

Not every surface needs dry ice. Heavy coatings, friable stone or salt-laden brick may need poultices, steam or micro-abrasive work. We always trial first. The method is selected after a site survey and small test area.

Benefits for heritage sites

  • Dry process. No added moisture.

  • Low dust and minimal mess.

  • No harsh chemicals.

  • Protects edges, tooling marks and grain.

  • Fast set-up and clean-down in sensitive areas.

What we clean

  • Churches, museums and listed homes

  • Stone and brick façades

  • Timber beams, joinery and panelling

  • Metals, fixtures and services in plant rooms

  • Interiors after fire or smoke damage

Our process

  1. Survey and conservation-led brief.

  2. Test patches and method statement (RAMS).

  3. Protection of adjacent fabric and collections.

  4. Phased cleaning with ongoing review.

  5. Hand finishing and detail work.

  6. Clean site handover with photos and report.

Why English Heritage Prefers Dry Ice Blasting?

English Heritage, an organisation devoted to conserving England’s historic sites and buildings, recognizes the immense value of dry ice blasting when it comes to preserving the nation’s architectural heritage.

The key reasons why they endorse this method include:

  • Preservation of Historical Integrity: Dry ice blasting is gentle on delicate wooden surfaces, ensuring the preservation of the beams’ historical integrity. Unlike more aggressive cleaning methods, it does not erode or alter the wood’s original features.
  • Environmentally Friendly: Being a completely dry and non-toxic process, dry ice blasting aligns with English Heritage’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. It does not involve the use of harmful chemicals, the dry ice pellets are made with recycled C02 from other industries.
  • Minimal Clean-up Efforts: Dry ice blasting eliminates the need for extensive cleanup after the restoration process. As the dry ice pellets sublimate upon impact, there is no secondary waste to collect afterward, significantly reducing post-cleaning efforts.

FAQs

Will it damage the surface?
We work at controlled pressures with the correct nozzle and standoff. Trials confirm settings before full use.

Is it suitable indoors?
Yes. It is a dry process with low dust. We contain the area and use extraction.

What about waste and access?
There is no media to collect. Only loosened soiling is removed. We use towers, platforms or rope access where needed.

Do you provide documentation?
Yes. Surveys, risk assessments, method statements and before/after records are included.

Get Your Free, No Obligation Dry Ice Cleaning Quote

  • Tailor made cleaning solutions
  • Free surveys & quotes provided
  • Covering South & South East Uk
  • Includes London & Greater London
  • Health & Safety precautions undertaken
  • Latest technologies
  • Fully trained technicians

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