New company promises more developments in stone cleaning.

Restorative Techniques Ltd may be new to stone cleaning but the people behind it are not. The new company has been set up by Jamie Fairchild, the former Technical Director of Jos / Torc and Doff company Stonehealth, who is joined by two other former employees of Stonehealth. 

Jamie has a background in Materials Engineering with Wimpey Minerals, although it is for the technical advice and support he has supplied to the conservation and restoration industries over the past 20 years that he will be best recognised.

Since starting Restorative Techniques last September (see NSS September 2009 issue), the team has been busy behind the scenes, quietly developing, designing and setting into place a whole range of products, including new systems in both the swirling abrasive and superheated water facade cleaning formats. These are being manufactured to Restorative Techniques’ own designs and specifications. 

Jamie has been working hard to ensure that the performance and reliability of his new machines will meet the needs of a demanding contracting environment.

Restorative Techniques’ new swirling abrasive system, the VorTechnique (VorT), will shortly be available in a standard electric version with a 110V high pressure water pump at a price of £7,500 – that includes delivery & induction. The VorT is equipped to handle a large air flow volume and hence can have a high output and performance if required.

The standard electrical system can be upgraded to include optional extras such as remote pressure adjustment, which allows the operator to adjust the system from a control set near the nozzle.

VorT also comes as an all pneumatic version that does not require an electric supply. It is somewhat more sophisticated (which is reflected in a slightly higher price) as it uses a different water pump and air cooler driven by low pressure air. 

When the system is not being used, the abrasive closes off immediately, saving time when restarting and avoiding abrasive wastage. A remote pressure adjustment is also fitted as standard on this version. 

Another significant advantage of the pneumatic VorT is that it also allows the subsequent rinsing of the cleaned surface to be carried out using an air / water mix, making it 2-3 times faster than using water alone and reducing the amount of water needed.

Both the electrical and pneumatic versions of the VorTechnique use vortex nozzles, although these are interchangeable with nozzles otherwise commercially available for any company who wants to be able to use equipment they have already purchased.

Restorative Techniques are also about to launch a new superheated water cleaning system called ThermaTechni-que (ThermaT). 

This combines the best elements of hot water pressure washing and steam for efficient cleaning with lower water consumption. ThermaT is not a single machine, but a modular design, so you can decide the specification you need and connect the pump, boiler and accessory for the task.

The key elements are:

• Versatility and portability. There is a lock together all-in-one mount on a skid or wheels, or ThermaT can be separated from the mount to carry it through a building and to make van loading and offloading easier.
• Safety. 230/110V options. 
• Reliability and servicing. Dual temperature controls, operator diagnostics, 24V controls, jerrycan fuel tank.

As well as selling this new range of machinery, Restorative Techniques are also offering ‘controlled hire’, so the price is particularly favourable for longer hire periods. Hire will be strictly controlled to reassure specifiers and prevent inappropriate use of the equipment.

Restorative Techniques are also offering a range of chemical cleaners, including paint softeners, copper and iron stain treatments and latex cleaning products. Poultices supplied are normally ready-to-use, but Restorative Techniques can also supply many of the difficult to source ingredients for masons to make up their traditional brews for masonry cleaning.

For more information Tel: 01454 417831 Email: info@restorativetechniques.co.uk