Soda Blasting at St Fagans National History Museum

St Fagan’s National History Museum is an important part of south Wales’ culture, heritage and education. The open-air museum first opened in 1948, and houses over 50 historical buildings from various periods across history that have been painstakingly dismantled and reconstructed in the St Fagan’s grounds.

The museum is a busy place, often hosting traditional crafts, activities, and demonstrations. Generations of visitors have many memories of school trips to the museum, and later taking their own children to the museum. It is a place where history comes to life, and you can see how Welsh people lived, worked, and relaxed throughout the years.

APT was pleased to be asked to undertake a recent restoration and cleaning job in one of the buildings at St Fagan’s museum. The Cilewent farmhouse was one of the first buildings to be re-erected at St Fagan’s in 1959, and was originally built from timber around 1470, then rebuilt in stone in 1734.

APT was called in to clean the inside of the large chimney of the farmhouse. The chimney was suffering from years of soot and sticky bitumen, and the onsite conservationists were shocked to discover that the build was as thick as 3 inches in some places. Due to the age and the historical importance of the building, as well as its constant presence in the public eye, it was crucial that the original stone underneath was not at risk of damage.

The team from APT successfully employed the use of our soda blasting equipment to complete the work. Soda blasting was the perfect method to use, as it is quick, and can remove all traces of dirt without damaging the original substrate. The chimney looked brand new when our team had finished.

- See more at: http://www.apt-icc.co.uk/news/138/soda-blasting-at-st-fagans-national-history-museum#sthash.X9FhVy8n.dpuf

9,500 Reasons to Hire a Professional High Level Cleaning Company

High level cleaning is a specialist industrial cleaning service and should always be undertaken by a professional contractor.

APT high level cleaning services provide you with the perfect solution for cladding cleaning, facia & soffit cleaning, graffiti removal, guttering & leaf clearance, roof cleaning and moss & algae removal. After a site survey, you will receive your high level cleaning project plan, tailored exactly to your needs. We will then send you a dedicated, specialist high level cleaning team who are are thoroughly trained and well equipped in order to implement your bespoke cleaning project.

We have the skills and resources to offer advice on the best possible methods for whatever high level cleaning requirements you may have, whether it requires a hydraulic lift, scaffolded platform, or specialist abseiling rope access team.

We view all high level cleaning projects as a partnership and we work closely with you to ensure that we provide the best and most cost effective solutions. We will schedule the work around your operations to minimise disruption to your business.

At APT we work to stringent health and safety standards; our contract managers complete a thorough risk assessment prior to commencing any high level cleaning operation. Our operatives are specifically trained to meet industries best set practices – IPAF, IRATA, CNnCS and CSCS. The benefit to you is the safety of your staff and visitors during the cleaning process is assured.

Contaminants can cause huge problems in factories, especially within the food and chemical industry. It only takes one piece of dirt or dust to dislodge itself from the ceiling and it could potentially cost you thousands in lost time and wasted production. But it is not just the food and chemical industry who can benefit from our skills and efficiency. Our high level cleaning teams work across all sectors; industrial factories, historic buildings, highways, bridges, hospitals, leisure and retail - in fact anywhere there is a requirement for high level cleaning. Our contracts include projects as diverse as listed buildings and retail parks.

9,500 Reasons to Hire a Professional High Level Cleaning Company

High level cleaning is a specialist industrial cleaning service and should always be undertaken by a professional contractor.

APT high level cleaning services provide you with the perfect solution for cladding cleaning, facia & soffit cleaning, graffiti removal, guttering & leaf clearance, roof cleaning and moss & algae removal. After a site survey, you will receive your high level cleaning project plan, tailored exactly to your needs. We will then send you a dedicated, specialist high level cleaning team who are are thoroughly trained and well equipped in order to implement your bespoke cleaning project. 

It's not worth cutting corners when it comes to cleaning as one company in Hertfordshire found out to their cost. An injured young man, unable to work for 2 months and £9,500 in fines and costs following the prosecution by the HSE (source: http://www.chtdata.com/2014/01/13/unsafe-work-leads-to-employee-accident-and-firm-being-fined-by-hse) was the result of DIY efforts to carry out high level cleaning. Just as well that the fall was only 3 metres otherwise it could have been far more serious.

For us, the biggest issue is staff safety. The 22-year old in question was hoisted up in a stillage using a fork lift truck. The stillage had no pallet rails, nor was it secured to the forks - from reading the news item, it appears that this was the company's standard procedure for high level cleaning.

At APT we work to stringent health and safety standards; on each and every job, our contract managers complete a thorough risk assessment prior to commencing the high level cleaning operation. Our staff are fully trained in line with best practices – IPAF, and IRATA CNnCS and CSCS and cleaning is carried out using safe equipment, specifically designed for the job in hand. The risk assessment we carry out does not just concern the safety of our staff, it also will ensure that your staff remain safe during the work.

Methods used for high level cleaning

There are a variety of different methods available for getting cleaning operatives safely to the right height.

Sometimes, a scaffolded platform is the best solution. This is perfect for situations where cleaning is tricky and delicate as there is a roomy and stable base from which to operate. A scaffolded platform, once assembled, can remain in place as long as required. If the operation is the high level cleaning and restoration of a stone or brick facade, the operatives can move freely around enabling them to move along progressively and comfortably without the need to reposition the platform. It can also be enclosed to keep any bad weather out whilst the work is in progress.

For internal jobs, such as cleaning the lighting, a small hydraulic platform is the ideal equipment to use. It can easily access a warehouse and can be small enough to be able to traverse the aisles between storage racks or machinery. It can be positioned and operated by a single person and gives a stable, if restricted, working platform. The size of such a unit makes it fast and economical to move on to the next part of the job.

For external high level cleaning such as cladding, we would use a more robust hydraulic platform. The cladding is cleaned in sections and the operator can control their position from the platform controls, making the whole operation very efficient.

Finally, there is rope access. Rope access techniques are sometimes the only way of gaining access for cleaning and maintenance, for example, where there is soft ground below the area to be cleaned or if there is insufficient space to erect scaffolding or a hydraulic platform. We work to strict guidelines with teams of IRATA trained rope access specialists carrying out the work for you.

Teamwork for successful high level cleaning

We work closely with our clients to ensure that we provide the best and most cost effective solutions. We have the skills and resources to offer advice on the best possible methods for whatever high level cleaning requirement you may have, whether it may include a hydraulic lift, scaffolded platform, or rope access team. Whatever the methods used for your high level cleaning project, we will ensure that there is minimum disruption to the daily running of your business.

So to avoid any disasters, call in the high level cleaning experts APT-ICC on 01495 308 048 NOW!

- See more at: http://www.apt-icc.co.uk/news/120/9,500-reasons-to-hire-a-professional-high-level-cleaning-company#sthash.IDE4F8WL.dpuf

Property Restoration Services

Given the number of property restoration programmes on the television in recent years, it is hardly surprising that there are a large number of people buying and renovating houses, flats and other buildings. Buying a dilapidated house at auction and 'doing it up' is one thing - when it comes to listed and other historically important buildings, it is a completely different ball game that requires the employment of professional property restoration services who carry out such work regularly. Find the right company and your project will progress much more smoothly as they can advise and assist with legal requirements as well as carrying out the work.

Materials

Materials used by property restoration services on historic buildings are inevitably more expensive than mass-market products. Lime mortar for rendering/pointing and lime plaster on internal walls are used in preference to cement based mortars and gypsum based plasters. 

There are many advantages to the use of lime - breathability, resistance to efflorescence, self-healing and more. They are less likely to lead to deterioration of the fabric of an older building than would modern materials. But the use of lime based products requires different techniques, from mixing though to finishing, so using an 'ordinary' builder could lead to problems, for example, mixing lime mortar in the same way as cement mortar will reduce its final strength and it is very important to choose the correct grade of lime in the first place.

As far as masonry is concerned, sympathy is key to a successful project. Reputable property restoration services will use reclaimed or hand made bricks and carefully match the colouration of the replacement to those surrounding it. Old, damaged bricks will be carefully cut out, using techniques and skills that ensure that no damage is done. Stonework will be carved by trained stonemasons, not machine cut, thus ensuring that your project is completed to a high standard.

Flashing is another area where a property restoration service scores highly. Builders are used to using asphalt or similar. An historic building will require lead or other metals to be used. If these are fitted and manipulated incorrectly, they will quickly fail and water entering a building does not take long to create major issues.

Techniques

Property restoration services will use a variety of different techniques on your project, techniques that are just not available to builders more used to working with bricks and concrete. When applying your lime render, the surface will be prepared in a manner appropriate to the use of the specialist material and the rate of curing will be carefully controlled so that it will adhere correctly and ensure longevity.

A good restoration service such as ourselves, will carefully number each brick, stone, lintel, woodwork etc. and stack it very carefully so that no mistakes will be made during reconstruction. A jobbing builder is unlikely to have these skills, patience and organisation. During reconstruction of the masonry, jointing and pointing will be carried out using the correct grade of lime and in a way that protects the bricks or stonework. The use of an incorrect style of pointing can be very destructive over a relatively short span of time.

Planning

For the amateur restorer, a listed or other historic building can lead to many planning issues. Even if your property restoration service does not actually arrange for planning, they have insider knowledge and can work with your architect and you in order to make sure that your project keeps the planners happy and stays on track.

So if you are intending to buy and restore a historic or listed building, or just want the best for your restoration project, contact APT on 01495 308 048, the property refurbishment specialists, for a no-obligation chat - no hard sell, our skills and knowledge speak for themselves. 

- See more at: http://www.apt-icc.co.uk/news/129/property-restoration-services#sthash.OipYBuDW.dpuf

Tennis Court Cleaning

Tennis Court Cleaning.

The expected lifetime of a well-used hard outdoor tennis court is around 10 years but to achieve this, regular maintenance is required. A significant part of that maintenance is cleaning but if you employ the wrong methods or equipment, you could damage the surface, reducing its life expectancy. With the cost of resurfacing at  £7,000 or more, you need to do the job properly. But how exactly should a tennis court be cleaned?

What problems does a dirty tennis court pose?

You may be tempted just to periodically brush over the tennis courts in your care, however, you really need to do more than that. Dirt on the surface acts as a grinding paste and slowly but surely, under the feet of the players, it wears away the surface creating depressions and uneven areas. These can cause unexpected bounce of the ball and also allows water to puddle on the court. In winter, this freezes and thaws so when you open up the courts in the spring, these areas are often found to be damaged.

Both loose dirt and also organic soiling such as moss and algae on a tennis court can cause players to slip. On a private court, the resulting injury could put you or your friends and colleagues out of the game for a period of time. If you manage a municipal or club court, you could find yourself calling your public liability insurer. If it is proved that you neglected the state of the court, your insurance could be invalidated.

The best ways to clean a tennis court.

A soft brush should be your first line of attack, used at least weekly during the season you can easily remove the worst of the loose dirt, leaves, twigs and other debris. Using a hard bristled brush can abrade the surface and, although damage is not apparent at the time, it can lead to a slow deterioration over time.

Annually, prior to the first opening of the court, your court will benefit from treatment using APT's Moss Killer. For severe growth of moss and algae, apply our Moss Killer using a dilution rate of 10% (1 part chemical to 10 parts water). Use a soft brush to work the Moss Killer into the moss and algal growth and leave for up to 20 minutes. Rinse off with clean water, using the soft brush to dislodge the soiling. In areas where growth has been particularly bad, a second application may be needed. For light deposits, you can use Moss Killer at a dilution of 1 to 20 but leave it in contact for around 25 minutes. This chemical leaves an inhibitor in the surface pores that kills any remaining spores and slows down the inevitable re-growth.

Alternatively, for stress-free court cleaning, call us in! We have over 25 years of experience in cleaning all types of sporting surface and you can be sure that your tennis court will be cleaned quickly and above all efficiently, without the worry of damage.

Restoring an old tennis court.

If you have tennis court that hasn't been used for several years, it will be heavily covered with algae, moss and fungi. Cleaning this without damaging the surface underneath is really a specialist job. You could go ahead, hire a pressure washer and wade in yourself of course, but you would probably end up degrading the surface.

At APT, we have sophisticated pressure washers which can be set to deliver a pressure that will dislodge the moss, algae and fungi but is low enough not to damage the surface below. In addition, different areas of the old court will require a different treatment, depending on how heavily the surface is contaminated. APT staff are trained in the expert use of pressure washers and can determine exactly how each part of your court should be cleaned for the best effect.

Indoor tennis courts

It isn't just exterior tennis courts that require cleaning and maintenance, indoor courts become contaminated too. Sweat from the players can render the court sticky or slippery and needs to be removed, without damaging the flooring beneath. We can help with this too, our indoor floor cleaning equipment and gentle but effective degreasers are a winning combination in the hands of APT staff.

So why delay? Talk to us on  01495 308 048 to find out how your tennis courts can benefit from the APT treatment! 

- See more at: http://www.apt-icc.co.uk/news/145/tennis-court-cleaning#sthash.YlAGP88a.dpuf

Building Facade Cleaning

The Importance of Building Cleaning

You may be tempted to leave your building untouched in the name of economy, however, that is not a good idea. As your property accumulates dirt particles from air pollution, algae, lichen and bird droppings, it will look untidy. As well as giving a poor impression to potential clients, tenants, suppliers and your staff, the contamination can damage the fabric of the building meaning that your major asset will depreciate significantly.

DIY Building Cleaning is not a good idea

Sending out your own staff, armed with a high pressure washer is false economy. Simply blasting the contamination off will do as much damage, if not more, than leaving the building to deteriorate naturally. Not only does high pressure washing remove the soiling, it also removes surfaces that have been weakened and creates microscopic damage to sound surfaces. This leaves the building vulnerable to further damage unless repairs are made.  Then you have the hassle of managing the project and ensuring that you are buying in the right chemicals, the right application, hiring equipment that will allow them to access the highest parts of the building and the associated Health and Safety stresses.

What can APT do for you?

We have the fully trained staff and the equipment to tackle any building cleaning project safely and efficiently. You do not need to worry about Health and Safety or sourcing the right equipment. 

To clean a building correctly, without causing damage, requires specialist low pressure cleaning apparatus whose operators know exactly how to get the best out of it. Different areas of your building will need a different treatment depending on the access, contamination and building substrate.  

We have:

·         Rope access teams

·         Cherry pickers

·         Scissor lifts

·         Soda blasting equipment

·         Low pressure steam cleaning machines

·         Other specialist  building cleaning equipment and techniques

We are experienced cladding cleaners and lead the field in the cleaning of k render surface cleaning and also delicate architectural work, such as that found on historic and listed buildings.

Customising your Project

You will be visited by one of our experienced team leaders who will assess your exact needs. The survey will take into account Health and Safety, access and the techniques required for all parts of your cleaning project. This ensures that your dedicated building cleaning team will arrive with the correct materials and equipment to enable your job to progress quickly and smoothly without interruption to your staff, the public and other contractors. 

Customised Cleaning

At APT, we understand how different soiling is bonded to the substrate therefore our first visit to your premises will not involve any cleaning. We will carry out a full survey of your site to establish what type of soiling is present in each area in order that we can plan exactly what is needed to clean your property efficiently and without damage. On the appointed day and time, our building cleaning team will arrive with the correct materials and equipment so no time will be wasted travelling backwards and forwards to pick up forgotten products or equipment.

But that's not all. We look at how we can minimise disruption to your daily business routine or tenants, problems of access plus all aspects of health and safety too. For a commercial building on an industrial estate, that's generally straightforward, however, for social housing, care homes, country houses and other buildings with limited or soft ground access, it is a different story. With over 30 years’ experience to call on, you can be assured of a comprehensive approach that other companies cannot provide, giving you complete peace of mind.

We have a wide range of cutting-edge equipment with fully trained staff who can carry out any building cleaning job professionally:

• Rope access teams
• Cherry pickers
• Scissor lifts and other hydraulic access machinery
• Soda blasting equipment
• Low pressure steam cleaning machines or Doff type cleaning systems
• High and low pressure washers
• Dry ice blasting
• Other specialist building cleaning equipment and techniques

What can be cleaned from your building?

The answer is simple; we can remove virtually any type of soiling. If you have been hit by graffiti 'artists' we have effective non-chemical methods for removing it. Examples of other soiling that we routinely remove from façades, cladding, brick and stonework are:

• Micro-organisms such as green and black algae, lichen, fungi
• Bacterial staining
• Carbon and other pollutants
• Scale, rust marks, bitumen and efflorescence staining
• UV light and other discolouration

Environmentally Friendly Building Cleaning

The benefits of environmentally friendly building cleaning are numerous, well documented and often discussed. We use only environmentally friendly cleaning products and techniques which help safeguard the health and safety of the fabric of the building, the occupants, our cleaning technicians and on a grander scale, the planet!

How to Obtain the Best Building Cleaning Services

Contact APT building cleaning services now on 01495 308 048 for a no-obligation chat about how we can benefit your business. We will provide all the protection required to minimise disruption and inconvenience to the public and your daily business routine, including 'out-of-hours' working where necessary. 

Gutter Cleaning - Why it is Crucial to Clean Your Gutters at This Time of Year

Autumn is almost over, the trees have lost their leaves and it is time to think about cleaning your gutters and gulleys in preparation for the winter. Overlooking gutter cleaning could cost you an awful lot in repairs, damaged stock, downtime and sheer inconvenience.

The problem with guttering and gulleys is that you normally only see them from below and are blissfully unaware of what they hold. They are designed to allow an unrestricted flow of rainwater to the down pipes which allows proper drainage of your premises.

When it rains, run-off from the roof carries debris and dirt into the gutters. The flow rate of the water in the guttering or gulley is much slower than from the roof so the debris is not washed away and can slowly build up, creating a blockage or partial blockage. Then your problems begin!

Plants and gutter cleaning

Spores from algae and mosses will also have been washed down with the dirt and debris and can quickly consolidate it into a solid mass that disrupts the clear flow of the rainwater, allowing it to form puddles. This keeps the dirt in the gutters and gullies moist for longer, exacerbating the problem.

Any plant seeds that blow into your guttering then have a perfect place to grow. It is sheltered and has plenty of moisture. The roots spread through the dirt in the guttering, searching for water and nutrients.

Plant roots are powerful, they grow slowly but surely and can force their way into the smallest of crevices. When they reach a joint in your guttering or gulley, they can readily penetrate and if you leave them to grow unhindered, the joint is forced apart and a leak is the result. Where the guttering is close to brickwork or stonework, if left unchecked, the roots can even penetrate masonry. The biggest problems are caused by grasses as they can survive periods of low rainfall and freezing temperatures and will quickly resume growth when it warms up and rains.

The autumn leaves can compound this. They blow around and land in your guttering, creating a sludge that is very nutritious for algae, moss and plants. Very quickly, the gutter can become partially or completely blocked and overflow when it starts raining.

The importance of cleaning gutters at this time of year

The weather is deteriorating and your premises will need to deal with a lot of water running off the roof. Any blockages or even partial blockages could lead to water spilling over the edges of the guttering or gulley and entering the building. Not only could this lead to damage to the fabric of your property, it could also cause damage to your stock and equipment. Putting this right would then mean disruption to your daily routine and a lot of money spent.

An un-repaired gutter leak could also lead to damage to the very foundations of your building. Overflowing rainwater can end up at the base of your walls, adding to any rainwater already there. As the unplanned surface water soaks into the ground around the base of your building instead of being removed by the drainage system, it can create problems with the foundations.

So it is for these reasons that it is crucial to get your gutter cleaned at this time of year. By taking the expedient step of having your gutters professionally cleaned before the winter sets in, you could save yourself a lot of stress and money down the line.

The benefits of using a professional gutter cleaning service

Sending your own staff up a ladder to scrape out your guttering is a recipe for disaster. Apart from the Health and Safety aspects, they could do more damage than leaving your gutters and gulleys in a dirty state would have done.

Professional gutter cleaning teams are fully trained in a variety of non-damaging and highly efficient techniques that will ensure the free-flow of water from roof to drains.

Gutter and gulley cleaning service from APT

With our wide range of commercial, industrial and public sector experience, our staff are equipped and trained to deal with the most inaccessible of gutters or gulleys.

To benefit from our gutter and gulley cleaning services, talk to us on  01495 308 048 NOW. We clean all types of guttering including aluminium, cast iron and plastic on all types of building, including factories, commercial premises and listed buildings.

Building Cleaning - Why Not Just Leave it Dirty?

Are you the manager of a heritage building? Has your leisure centre or retail unit been hit by graffiti artists? Or perhaps you are the landlord of a property needing refurbishment? One thing is for certain, you will need our building cleaning services. We have the expertise and the equipment readily to hand for any building cleaning project.

But on the other hand, why spend cash on washing down the outside of your building?

Why indeed? Here are several crucial reasons why building cleaning should be a regular part of your property maintenance schedule.

Heritage building cleaning

Heritage and listed buildings are generally built from traditional materials and often have some fine architectural detailing. Over the years, airborne pollution darkens stone and brickwork, making a once fine building look unwelcoming. Not only that, since the pollutants are firmly fixed to the facade, they can slowly weaken the stone and degrade the detailing.

Furthermore, algae, lichens and moss can take hold too. Although these are rootless organisms, they damage the fabric of the building if left to grow unchecked; they are particularly damaging to both lime and cement based mortar. The structural integrity of your building is compromised as water can penetrate the walls more easily.

Industrial units, retail units and leisure centres

Since the 1970s, business parks, retail parks and industrial estates have been extensively developed using steel frame and cladding building methods which can be erected rapidly. The cladding is usually a form of corrugated steel, often coated with a protective polymer layer to keep out the weather.

As with heritage buildings, airborne pollution, algae, lichens and mosses can damage the protective coatings, leaving the steel beneath open to attack by the elements. This will eventually succumb and your stock or manufactured products can be damaged, losing your business a lot of money. Regular building cleaning can save you thousands of pounds in the long run and is money well spent.

The location and the large flat expanses of cladding are attractive to graffiti artists and if your business is subject to an 'attack' you have a couple of options. However, the option of leaving it in place sends out a negative message to potential clients and your staff, directly and indirectly affecting your business.

Roofs and gutters

Unseen and often uncared for, the roofs and gutters of any building are your primary defence against precipitation, of which we do have our fair share here in the UK! As with cladding, if mosses, algae and lichen are not removed, over time, it can lead to roof failure and a large capital expenditure. With regular maintenance cleaning, your roof should reach its expected lifetime.

Your guttering channels the rainwater away from the roof and into the drainage system established when the building was first put up. Blocked gutters mean that water overflows and locally increases the algal and moss growth, accelerating damage and shortening the life of the building. Additionally, since the overflowing water is not being directed to the drains, it soaks into the ground and this can ultimately damage the foundations of the building.

Building cleaning methods

To the inexperienced, the solution would be simply to pressure wash the building or sandblast it if it is stone or brick. That gives us the heebie-jeebies! Pressure washing and sand blasting might be OK for some applications but for building cleaning, it is rarely the best solution.

For living materials, our proprietary Hot Box steam cleaning system is perfect. Low pressure, high temperature steam not only removes the moss, algae and lichen completely, it also kills any remaining spores, slowing down the inevitable re-growth, without the need for chemical inhibitors - great for the environment and also a one-visit solution.

For general cleaning of a facade, low pressure water vortex systems such as TORC are effective but sensitive to the fabric of the building.

But for graffiti removal and the cleaning of fine architectural detailing, the soda blasting system is second to none. This uses small crystals of sodium bicarbonate (blasting soda) in a stream of compressed air to gently remove the layers of paint or grime. Since blasting soda is the same hardness as talc, it does not damage the cladding or masonry surface.

How to benefit from the best building cleaning service

Talk to our experts to discover more about building cleaning now on 01495 308048 for a no-obligation chat. APT are the leading soda blasting company in the UK and we have worked on many heritage buildings as well as commercial properties.