As I am writing this we are now in our fourth week with no phone lines and no broadband. BT have a lot to answer for.

If you are trying to contact us this morning, we apologise, but BT have managed to cut of the phone lines for us and many more near us. If you phone you hear it ringing, but unfortunately it does not ring at our end.

We will update you all as soon as possible

The modern superheated water system known as ThermaTech®, which is both UK designed and manufactured by us at Restorative Techniques, was used during the recent restoration project at Kensington Palace, for both cleaning (see picture) and also for some paint removal applications.

ThermaTech is very effective at removing certain types of exterior paints, frequently without any chemical assistance, by using ‘superheated water’ at 150°C as the method, to both ‘melt’ and ‘lift’ many groups of ‘modern’ paints. It has been used at Kensington Palace particularly for paint removal, from some lower external elevations, prior to an application of a ‘mineralic’ paint product, which required a thorough and effective removal, of certain previously applied, paint coatings.

When using superheated water for paint removal, it is important to not just achieve, but to continuously maintain, the very high water temperatures, that are crucial to the performance of this paint removal process. For cleaning applications, the high temperatures are also ideal and capable of both cleaning and to a degree ‘sterilising’ a substrate, which helps prevent a fast re-colonisation of algael soilings. The difference when using ThermaTech on the digital control option, means the water is far less prone to the larger fluctuations of heat, that are frequently seen with earlier version, analogue controllers. The particular digital controller that ThermaTech uses, detects far smaller changes in heat and in turn, controls the boiler far more accurately, resulting in higher temperature output and reliable performance.

This system is very different and should not be mistaken with ‘hot pressure washers’ that generate large volumes of water, at far higher pressures and at much lower temperatures.

It is sometimes thought that cleaning is done purely for aesthetic reasons, a misunderstanding that’s not just made by members of the general public…

Calcium carbonate is the principal constituent of limestone and is common to mortar and other building masonry. Acidic sulphurous gases, released by the combustion of coal and other fossil fuel, expose the carbonate to chemical reaction. The resulting calcium sulphate and carbon particulates bind to sheltered areas of the affected masonry. ‘Carbon Sulphation’ may accumulate from a thickness of a few microns to a ‘clinker’ of several centimetres, as can be seen in the picture (pre-application of poultice).

This type of deposit, if left entirely untouched, can be very damaging to a substrate, leaving it unable to ‘breathe’, which often results in damaged areas and regions of ‘spalling’ and/or ‘blown’ stone surface. The use of an ‘Ammonium Carbonate’ poultice, mixed from ‘poultice components’ that we supply, can be particularly useful in these types of situations, when used by professionals. The ‘raw components’ are mixed together and then water is added, before applying the ‘poultice’ to the surface and allowing a limited period of dwell, upon the carbon sulphation deposits. After removal, the surface can be effectively rinsed using the ThermaTech superheated water system. Another considerable benefit of using these types of materials, are that they are normally supplied ‘dry’, saving weight transport costs of a water component.

For more information and further detailed, technical guidance, please contact us.

Demand for our products, equipment and consultancy have continued to increase, along with numerous requests from architects and specifiers, for Jamie Fairchild to undertake site trials, technical reports and project support. Very many architectural organisations have requested and used Jamie’s technical reports, within specification documents over the years, for all manner of projects, ranging from the large, such as St Martin in the Field, through to those of a smaller scale, such as the removal of inappropriate ‘Victorian’ paint coatings, from earlier painted decorative features, within an ecclesiastical setting.

Our range of machinery and products is now in regular use, not just on projects within the UK, but overseas in Europe and even as far as the Middle East. Many monuments and prominent buildings across the UK and within London, including Royal Palaces are currently using our range and we’re continuing to receive many calls from keen contractors, who have seen our equipment for the first time, or have seen our details and products, in pre-contract, or specification documents.

Restorative Techniques is Fast Becoming Established as a Leading Innovator of Site Equipment, Used for Cleaning and Coating Removal Reducing the Use of Chemicals, Particularly Important for Building Conservation & Restoration on Important and Historical Sites.

We have heard that are those already trying to copy certain unique features of ThermaTech, such as red hoses, or ways to house fuel, but through adaption of ‘old style’ conventional equipment, not integral and within overall design. ThermaTech has been specifically engineered and designed from the outset, around a whole host of improvements and innovations, yet kept within a cost effective and highly competitive price – So why opt for an expensive, poor imitation?

The following features are being particularly recognised as key distinct advantages of ThermaTech® by the specifiers, even though there are many other unique ones:   Modular range of machinery that develops superheated water capable of tasks such as paint removal. ThermaTech is not a single machine, it is about modular design. Depending on the specification, connect the pump, boiler and accessory for the task this system is about versatility & portability. Lock together ‘all-in-one’, mount on a skid, or on wheels, or separate to carry through a building and easier van loading and offloading. Safety in 230/110v options and twin wired red hosing to signify the use of hot water. Reliability & servicing – dual temperature controls, operator diagnostics, for safety – 24 volt controls, jerrycan fuel tank.

ThermaTech, has a holster located on the front of the machine to house the fuel pick up device, when the equipment is not in use. When the system is being used, the fuel device is slid out it’s holster and the cap is securely locked onto the jerrycan fuel tank. This arrangement greatly helps reduce fuel handling on site, as there is no need to refuel an internal fuel tank and running the associated risks of overfilling, or spillage. It also allows users to simply detach the fuel container from the system at the end of each work period, which they can then lock away securely – leaving no fuel ‘unattended’, even inside an internal fuel tank, there is none! This means that even on a very tightly regulated site, ThermaTech is already better equipped than many other items of equipment at achieving best practice in fuel handling, it also means that the system can be left on the scaffold overnight, whilst the fuel can be locked away, saving time at both the beginning and the end of a work period.

The use of high specification, twin wired, high pressure hoses in RED, gives a very clear visual indication of hoses designed for heat, this is not ‘cosmetic’ – the use of black hosing on both cold and hot water equipment, runs the risk of accidently using an inappropriate hose, designed for cold water. High temperature, high pressure hoses are designed to safely carrying ‘superheated water’ without rupturing, many high pressure hoses are not – We are aware of cold water hoses being coupled onto ‘hot’ equipment, unfortunately if the fittings ‘fit’, this is an unfortunate risk. RED also helps indicate to others in the vicinity that these particular hoses carry ‘hot’ water – The majority of hot water systems have not been specifically designed around site use, many can be very awkward to move around site, as they were originally designed for static, or yard applications. On large sites, there can often be numerous sets of hoses, cables and other items, with many different contractors who are less familiar with this type of equipment and when improvements are made, safety with performance should be at the forefront.

Digital temperature controllers are far better at regulating the operation of the boiler, particularly at top end temperatures. The digital controllers used on ThermaTech, maintain temperatures by detecting small temperature drops more accurately than commonly found analogue types and once a small drop has been detected, the boiler is controlled to maintain the desired temperature range required for the application. (For those however who still like the familiarity of analogue and old style ‘cooker’ knob, twist controls, ThermaTech has a switch to allow the operator to flick between either digital, or analogue control options.)

Our ThermaTech® superheated water cleaning equipment has been used last month to clean the buildings of Kensington Palace. Restorative Techniques have also had great success in exporting Thermatec to Ireland.

ThermaTech® is an inovative new machine for the requirements of building conservation, restoration and refurbishment of buildings.

The system is highly effective for removing soot, grease, oil and organic matter from a wide range of substrates. The ThermaTech® system produces superheated water, a liquid spray at 150°C. This temperature is capable of  melting and removing many paints, surface treatments, chewing gum, wax and bitumen. This also makes it idealfor councils wanting to remove chewing gum from pavements.

Placing particular emphasis on health and safety has led to many key design improvements over other systems. ThermaTech® is much better suited to present day site requirements ThermaTech reduces reliance on chemicals, and boosts  the performance of milder agents. It also uses less water than conventional hot and cold water pressure washers. In this way it yields positive results for COSHH and REACH in safety and environmental risk assessment.

Nimbus Conservation, the stone and conservation specialists of Frome, Somerset, have just started work on the £1million first phase of the stonework conservation programme of one of Bristol’s most famous landmarks, the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

The bridge was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel when he was 24 but was only completed after his death, becoming a memorial to the world famous Victorian engineer. The bridge finally opened in 1864. Designed for light horse-drawn traffic, it is a testament to the design that it now carries 11-12,000 motor vehicles every day.

The current phase of work got under way by cleaning the masonry using the ThermaTech superheated water system made by Bristol cleaning equipment suppliers Restorative Techniques.

Erecting the scaffolding to facilitate the work on this Grade I listed structure at this height over the Avon Gorge and with a railway track to consider has been no mean feat itself.

It gives Nimbus specialist conservators access to clean and repair the local Pennant stone of the parapet walls and the towers on their abutments of red sandstone built out from the rock of the Gorge.

Supervising the work are the Bristol-based conservators, Ferguson Mann Architects. The work is being paid for, without the aid of any grants from the Lottery or local or central government, with money raised by the charitable trust that maintains the bridge.

The current phase of the work is only part of a project that is expected to go on for 10 years and cost a total of £8million. Much of the money will come from the tolls that people pay to cross the bridge – and those tolls will have to increase to pay for the work.

This is just the latest use of Restorative Techniques’ stone cleaning equipment. It has also been used at the Cafe Royal, Somerset House, William Booth College, Sandhurst RMA, Queen Victoria Memorial in The Mall, York Minster and numerous other cathedrals and churches, The Ritz, Selfridges, war memorials including Coventry (which is also a memorial to the victinms of World War II bombing), London train stations… the list goes on.

Julia Fairchild of Restorative techniques says: “ThermaTech is selling very well. Companies are recognising its rugged versatility, safety features and future-proofed design. Being specified for the Clifton Bridge does tie-in nicely with us as a Bristol company, supplying a famous Brunel-designed project.

“Architects and specifiers now have access to information on our range through all their professional sources – RIBA, IHS Global and so on – so our products are now rapidly appearing on many specification documents as the equipment continues to gain ground.”

Grateful thanks to Natural Stone

High points are always delivering each new system to our customers and their operators, when we carry out appropriate induction and training. The sales have been particularly strong this year for the 110v ThermaTech®, which, incidentally, also gained its ‘Series Trademark’ this year. The success and growth of sales over the past year, has allowed us at Restorative Techniques to recruit a couple of new additions to the company, to help meet customer demands.

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ThermaTech is being very well recieved in the industry with good sales. In one week we  had 8 orders, so we are extremely pleased that our new products are doing so well. subsequently we had 3 orders in one day.

I L – Morton Masonry ”

ThermaTech® is a brand new range of superheated water cleaning equipment. Conceived for the requirements of building conservation, restoration and refurbishment, the fusion of performance and specification also answers a broad range of commercial and industrial cleaning needs.
The system is highly effective for removing soot, grease,oil and organic matter from a wide range of substrates.
The ThermaTech® system produces superheated water,a liquid spray at 150°C. This temperature is capable of melting and removing many paints, surface treatments,chewing gum, wax and bitumen.