Swiss Sheathing
Sheathing, which is typically plywood or oriented 1/2" thick strand board, serves an important structural purpose. It prevents a building from "racking." Think of a cardboard box. When you cut the tape that keeps the bottom closed, the box [... more]
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The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stucco
Historical Background ~~Composition of Historic Stucco ~~Methods of Application ~~Repairing Deteriorated Stucco ~~Mixes for Repair of Historic Stucco ~~Summary ~~ Selected Reading ~~ See a list of all Preservation Briefs A skilled professional ... [... more]
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Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Intro)
Removing graffiti as soon as it appears is the key to its elimination-andrecurrence. Thus, the intent of this Preservation Brief is to help ownersand managers of historic masonry structures find the best way to removeexterior, surface-applied ... [... more]
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Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part A)
Successful graffiti removal from historic masonry depends on achievinga balance between breaking the bond between the graffiti and the masonrysurface without damaging the masonry. This generally requires knowledgeboth of the materials used to ... [... more]
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Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part B)
A variety of treatments are available from which to choose the mostappropriate method of graffiti removal that will not damage the surfaceof historic masonry. Removal techniques, which are chosen according tothe type of graffiti and the masonry, ... [... more]
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Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part C)
Before selecting a removal method, all cleaning materials and techniquesfor removing graffiti from a historic masonry building should be testedon mock-ups or areas of the resource that are not highly visible, but whichare representative of ... [... more]
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Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part D)
Most of the chemicals used for graffiti removal are dangerous to workers,as well as to others who may be in the vicinity. Organic solvents are toxicby ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Material Safety Data Sheets(MSDS), available from the ... [... more]
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Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part E)
To protect against environmental contamination, including the formationof unwanted ozone at ground level and damage to the ozone layer in theearth's outer atmosphere, legislation has been enacted in some states makingit illegal to use even ... [... more]
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Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part F)
Anti-graffiti or barrier coatings are intended to facilitate the removalof graffiti from porous as well as non-porous surfaces. These coatingsare most commonly transparent, but may also be pigmented. They are availablein a variety of formulations ... [... more]
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Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part G)
Experience shows that prompt removal of graffiti is one of the mosteffective measures against its recurrence. Graffiti that is not removedquickly tends to attract more graffiti. Often motivated by a need to havetheir work seen, graffitists tend ... [... more]
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Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part H)
Although rapid graffiti removal is the most effective weapon in eliminatinggraffiti and preventing its recurrence in the same location, hasty, untestedremoval attempts can disfigure and cause harm to historic masonry. Thus,it is important that ... [... more]
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Ballpoint Pen
Organic Solvent such as acetone, lacquer-thinner, orpetroleum-based compound such as dimethyl adipate. N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) is mildly toxic and may haveadverse reproductive effects. Solvents and petroleum-based compounds have toxic ... [... more]
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