As brick and stone and other surfaces age over time, and to keep them looking as nice as day one, we have to clean them. Cleaning masonry may seem like a simple job that soap and water can be used for, but actually, masonry cleaning is much more difficult, especially when it comes to delicate surfaces.
To sufficiently clean masonry, you've got to use enough force to remove dirt and grime while also being incredibly careful. Brick and stone are prone to damage when the wrong chemicals or cleaning techniques are used on them, and this can often be irreparable.
That's why, for many stone cleaning projects and professionals like NW Wash, a TORC cleaning system has become the preferred method. TORC cleaning is a highly efficient cleaning system that is safe to use on most delicate materials, making it ideal for restorative cleaning of both dated heritage sites and commercial properties. In fact, the TORC vortex cleaning system is now considered one of the most efficient methods of cleaning masonry and is relied upon for the gentle removal of foreign substances.
TORC cleaning is the use of a specialist piece of equipment known as a TORC cleaning system to clean stone surfaces and other masonry cleaning. The TORC system was specially designed for this purpose and is a patented cleaning system. Made by the same company that made the DOFF cleaning system, Stonehealth Limited, it is one of the few environmentally friendly solutions to stone cleaning, using no harmful chemicals and removing dust particles.
Based on the JOS system, TORC cleaning systems are great at removing paint residues, removing limescale, removing smoke deposits and restoring walls back to their former glory.
A TORC cleaning system works by using a mixture of water and fine calcium carbonate (or another fine inert granulate such as dolomite or until). Using this slurry at low pressure creates a gentle swirling vortex that cleans the masonry surfaces in a natural manner. The pressure of the slurry is never higher than 8 bar, and by moving the gentle swirling vortex across the stone surfaces, it removes any microscopic dust particles.
The slurry of inert granulate and water is pumped through the machine and out through a revolutionary modulated nozzle cone. This inventive nozzle allows the TORC system to clean large and small areas alike, unlike many traditional cleaning methods.
Depending on the material being cleaned, the inert granulate may change. Generally speaking, dolomite is used to tackle paint removal and paint residues, calcium carbonate is used for carbon sulphation and smoke damage, and unil helps to tackle hard matter.
A multi-purpose granulate, calcite can remove carbon from almost all types of masonry and is ideal for polished surfaces. It is free from all known carcinogens and is safe for both the environment and human health.
This granulate is effective at paint removal and carbon removal. It should not be used on polished surfaces. A highly safe substance for both environmental and human health and has no known harmful substances.
Available in different sizes, unil is perfect for cleaning various carbon build-ups and other unwanted materials. It is a powerful cleaning medium and a highly safe substance.
A TORC system is best for use post-construction, when tackling smoke damage, carbon sulphation and other stains and discolouration caused by the debris. The TORC machine is most commonly required post-construction as it is much better at handling specific issues than other cleaning methods. It may also be used to remove brittle paints from surfaces.
There are a number of benefits of TORC cleaning, and that's why the TORC system is so popular. Some of the benefits of TORC cleaning include:
Since the slurry and the machine have been specifically designed for this purpose, TORC cleaning is a very efficient process. The slurry handles dirt, grime and build-up very quickly, saving water, time and money.
TORC cleaning has been specifically designed to use low air pressure to make it safe for use on exterior services. The gentle swirling vortex removes any need for damaging chemicals and means that the tech can clean exterior surfaces effortlessly.
Both because the TORC cleaning service does not need cleaning products and because it is that much gentler, Stone Health Limited have created a cleaning method that is much kinder to the material and less damaging than previous cleaning services.
Despite being designed for stone's surface, TORC cleaning systems actually work on a lot of materials, including modern cladding and building facades. In fact, for many companies, TORC cleaning is the recognised and preferred method of restorative cleaning when it comes to sensitive surfaces, tough carbon build up and original stone.
Tough carbon sulphation and build-up can discolour and really ruin the appearance of a property. As can brittle paint. Both of these, especially if it is old oil-based paints, can be really hard to remove without causing surface damage.
Fortunately, TORC systems allow us to naturally clean commercial buildings and restore them to pristine condition without worrying about causing any damage.
A TORC machine uses less water than almost any other cleaning method and uses no harsh chemicals. As a result, it is considered to be one of the best environmentally friendly solutions when it comes to gentle cleaning services.
It is this versatility that has made TORC cleaning the preferred method of cleaning masonry for many companies and businesses. In addition to post-construction cleaning, TORC cleaning systems can also be used as restorative cleaning methods, especially with heritage buildings that require a gentle cleaning.
Use TORC cleaning system on local buildings, council housing, cleaning offices
Use TORC vortex cleaning system to help maintain and repair concrete
Use TORC system cleaning to properly clean delicate surfaces in heritage buildings to ensure that the buildings last as long as possible and resemble their previous glory as best as possible
Use TORC cleaning to carefully and safely restore older and more delicate properties to a sellable or usable state
As part of handling and maintaining stonework, masons may need to do some masonry cleaning and may use TORC cleaning to ensure that no damage is done to the stone
Well, the answer is no. The TORC complete stone cleaning system uses high tech that only trained operators should use. It is one of the more complex methods of cleaning masonry and while it doesn't use harsh chemicals, it could cause damage and injury if used incorrectly.
If your render is in need of a clean, contact NW Wash today for a free no-obligation quote!
Both created by one of the leading specialist organisations in stone cleaning, DOFF cleaning and TORC cleaning are used for very similar things, so what actually is the difference?
The distinctive feature of the TORC cleaning system is its gentle vortex that provides an almost natural clean. The specialist nozzle that is like no other cleaning nozzle out there also helps to separate it from the DOFF system. However, there are other differences.
For one, TORC uses a fine granulate whereas DOFF cleaning is simply steam-based. TORC cleaning uses less water at 25 litres per hour versus DOFF's 5 litres per minute, and TORC uses lower pressure and temperature.
TORC cleaning is a gentle yet effective cleaning method that uses low pressure, water, and a fine granulate to remove dirt, paint, and biological matter from surfaces.
Unlike traditional methods, TORC cleaning minimises damage to substrates by using lower pressure and a specialised granulate, making it ideal for delicate surfaces.
TORC cleaning is versatile, suitable for stone, brick, concrete, and terracotta surfaces, among others, preserving the integrity while thoroughly cleaning.
Yes, TORC cleaning is safe for historic buildings, often recommended for its gentle effectiveness that protects the building's structural and aesthetic integrity.
The duration of TORC cleaning depends on the surface area and level of soiling but is generally faster than conventional methods due to its efficiency.
TORC cleaning is environmentally friendly, using biodegradable materials and consuming less water than traditional cleaning methods.
