Eroding Limestone

[Mike Lamb]

Can anything be done for eroding stone? The front of this building is turning to sand in a lot of places. Can it be cleaned and sealed with something to protect it? Or is replacement the only answer?

[Chad Fabry]

I've seen this before in local buildings. The stone looks like it is between limestone and sandstone. Often, I see fossils at the fault lines which probably contribute to ice lenses forming and popping the face off the stone. The  "sugaring" is from saturated porous material freezing.

Kibbel would know if there's a repair, but you should at least slow down the erosion with a permeable water repellant. I suggest you call these folks and ask their advice. I'd be inclined to use the silane/ siloxane repellant.

[Bill Kibbel]

Repair the limestones with Lithomex.

Coat all with lime paint - the best permeable water repellent for limestone.

Both the above are lime based from St. Astier available at Andy DeGruchy's Limeworks.

 

 

 

[Bill Kibbel]

http://www.limeworks.us/lithomex-more.php

http://www.limeworks.us/lime-paints-more.php