Sandstone cleaning and sealing in Waverley
Waverley sandstone is mostly old, sometimes salt-exposed and often protected. We clean it without force and keep a record of everything we apply.
- Waverley 2024
- $20 million public liability
- Price on request
Sandstone in Waverley is part of the suburb's oldest fabric. Cottage walls and chimneys from the mid-1800s, terrace steps and front walls from the 1880s and 1890s, and long retaining walls holding the slopes toward Bronte all turn up on our inspections. The common problems are lichen on copings, black mould on shaded faces, efflorescence at the base of cottage walls, traffic grime near Bronte Road, and on the eastern streets, salt crust and flaking. Earlier repairs are part of the picture too. Cement patches and pointing, or a coat of paint, are noted on the inspection, because they affect both the method and what result is realistic.
Our technicians begin with a test area and work up from the mildest method. Moss, lichen and mould are killed off first, then washed away with a soft, lukewarm rinse once they have withered. Salt deposits are brushed off before any water is applied, and deeper salts can be drawn out with poultices. Paint and old coatings are trialled carefully on a small patch. Cement pointing that is eating into the blocks around it can be swapped for a lime mix. We never use acid or a high-pressure jet on old sandstone, and all wash water is collected and taken away rather than left in the gutter.
Most old Waverley walls are best left unsealed so they can dry freely. Steps, paths and wall caps are another matter, particularly on the eastern side of the suburb where salt is in the air: there, a vapour-permeable impregnator cuts the amount of salty rain and staining the surface drinks in, without locking moisture inside. We show you samples first, and in the Charing Cross conservation area we suggest checking with Waverley Council before anything new is applied. Each job ends with a short written record of the products and areas treated, which is useful for future maintenance and for anyone who later asks how the stone has been looked after.
Frequently asked questions
Sandstone questions we hear in Waverley.
Can you clean a sandstone cottage without damaging the old surface?
Yes. We use biocides, gentle rinsing and poultices rather than abrasion or high pressure, and test each step on a small area first.
Is sealing a good idea near the cemetery cliffs?
On paving, steps and wall caps that take salt, usually yes. Freestanding and retaining walls are often better unsealed.
Will cleaning remove old paint from our sandstone?
Cleaning alone will not. Paint removal is a separate stage with its own trial. Inside Charing Cross, Waverley should hear about it before it starts.
Do you provide records for heritage files?
Yes. We record products, dates and areas with before-and-after photographs.