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decontamination of historic buildings
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The Process For Historic Building Cleaning And Decontamination

Historic buildings are an important part of our lives and can require more attention and special care to maintain and preserve them to be a vital part for the community to enjoy now and into the future.  The National Trust for Historic Preservation states in its Six Practical Reasons to Save Old Buildings, “Simply put, ‘historic’ means ‘old and worth the trouble.’ It applies to a building that’s part of a community’s tangible past. And though it may surprise cynics, old buildings can offer opportunities for a community’s future.”

As Part Of Weekly Historic Building Maintenance, Decontamination Is Required For The Foreseeable Future To Help Keep People Safe.

The benefits of performing routine decontamination in Historic Buildings include:

  • Allows employees to go back to work safely.

  • Allows the engines of commerce to start running again.

  • Provides a sense of confidence and care to patrons and the general public that the building they enter is safe.

How does the Decontamination Process Work?

There are different forms of Decontamination that can be used but the one we use and recommend involves Electrostatic attraction.  Through the process of Electrostatic attraction, the product is vaporized allowing a mist to be sprayed and provide a greater coverage on surfaces including in cracks and crevices that normal cleaning is likely not to reach.

This process is a more effective and efficient method than standard cleaning and pump sprayers. The particles in the electrostatic spray are positively charged, allowing them to coat and cling to any surface within range.

This solution attacks viruses, germs, and bacteria (including COVID-19).  Once the sanitizing agent is applied, the solution will disinfect the contaminated surfaces and areas that have been treated.

How to handle the Decontamination Process in Historic Building?

The Decontamination process in Historic Buildings is not much different any modern-day building except that you need someone that knows where extra care needs to be taken to make sure historic finishes and materials in the building are addressed correctly and protected when necessary. Certain finishes and materials can easily be damaged if proper steps are not taken. If damage does occur repairing it can be costly or may not be possible in all cases.

Having experts in historic building restoration, preservation and conservation involved in the decontamination process brings a level of comfort and assurance that the building is in great hands.

When it comes to maintaining your historic property, first and foremost, the focus should be on doing no harm.  Involvement by those with experience in historic buildings materials and are committed to preserving the integrity is necessary.

It is key to have the right people involved not only to perform the decontamination but to figure out the best course of action during this COVID-19 pandemic and develop a preventative/maintenance plan for the historic buildings going forward.

If you are in need of assistance or have any questions on how you can incorporate decontamination service into the maintenance for your historic building, please feel free to contact John Canning & Co.

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