The Long-Term Efficiency and Compatibility of Hydrophobic Treatments in Protecting Vulnerable Sandstone at Arbroath Abbey (Scotland)
The application of hydrophobic treatments as a means of protecting vulnerable stone heritage has been a topic of research for decades. The findings of previous research have shown that there are a number of factors that influence the efficiency of a treatment and that sometimes, if used incorrectly,...
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Heritage |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/6/7/259 |
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| author | Marli de Jongh David Benavente Maureen Young Callum Graham Martin Lee |
| author_facet | Marli de Jongh David Benavente Maureen Young Callum Graham Martin Lee |
| author_sort | Marli de Jongh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The application of hydrophobic treatments as a means of protecting vulnerable stone heritage has been a topic of research for decades. The findings of previous research have shown that there are a number of factors that influence the efficiency of a treatment and that sometimes, if used incorrectly, such treatments can even accelerate stone weathering and decay. In this study, we revisit a hydrophobic treatment test area at Arbroath Abbey where the product was applied over 40 years ago, thus providing a rare opportunity to investigate the long-term efficiency of hydrophobic treatments. As well as assessing the condition of the treated area in situ by means of moisture analyses, lab-based accelerated salt weathering experiments are conducted to better understand the impact of silane-based treatments on sandstone durability. Moreover, the petrography and petrophysical properties of weathered sandstone (open porosity, capillary absorption, and vapour diffusion) before and after treatment are also characterised to provide a better understanding of how stone properties may influence the compatibility of the treatment. The field-based results show that the treated area has maintained a degree of hydrophobicity since its application over 40 years ago. Both field-based and lab-based analyses suggest that silane-based treatments can be used successfully in protecting sandstone when applied correctly, both in reducing the rate of decay and functioning over long periods of time. However, sandstone heterogeneity may mean that some individual stones are less compatible with the hydrophobic treatment tested than others. Further field-based analyses (including methods such as XRF and in situ vp) of the treated area is required in order to determine the state of conservation more accurately. These results highlight the complexity in selecting a suitable hydrophobic treatment, especially at built sites where the mineralogy and petrophysical properties of the stone may vary between blocks. However, such treatments may still be important to consider as many climates, including Scotland’s, are becoming progressively wetter, increasing the vulnerability of stone heritage to moisture ingress, accelerated decay, and eventual ruin. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:01:17Z |
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| issn | 2571-9408 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:01:17Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heritage |
| spelling | doaj.art-060d4b22e42b45fcb373ed100f507c9e2023-11-18T19:34:16ZengMDPI AGHeritage2571-94082023-06-01674864488510.3390/heritage6070259The Long-Term Efficiency and Compatibility of Hydrophobic Treatments in Protecting Vulnerable Sandstone at Arbroath Abbey (Scotland)Marli de Jongh0David Benavente1Maureen Young2Callum Graham3Martin Lee4British Geological Survey (BGS), Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UKDepartamento de Ciencias de la Tierra y del Medio Ambiente, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante 03690, SpainHistoric Environment Scotland (HES), The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ, UKHistoric Environment Scotland (HES), The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ, UKSchool of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UKThe application of hydrophobic treatments as a means of protecting vulnerable stone heritage has been a topic of research for decades. The findings of previous research have shown that there are a number of factors that influence the efficiency of a treatment and that sometimes, if used incorrectly, such treatments can even accelerate stone weathering and decay. In this study, we revisit a hydrophobic treatment test area at Arbroath Abbey where the product was applied over 40 years ago, thus providing a rare opportunity to investigate the long-term efficiency of hydrophobic treatments. As well as assessing the condition of the treated area in situ by means of moisture analyses, lab-based accelerated salt weathering experiments are conducted to better understand the impact of silane-based treatments on sandstone durability. Moreover, the petrography and petrophysical properties of weathered sandstone (open porosity, capillary absorption, and vapour diffusion) before and after treatment are also characterised to provide a better understanding of how stone properties may influence the compatibility of the treatment. The field-based results show that the treated area has maintained a degree of hydrophobicity since its application over 40 years ago. Both field-based and lab-based analyses suggest that silane-based treatments can be used successfully in protecting sandstone when applied correctly, both in reducing the rate of decay and functioning over long periods of time. However, sandstone heterogeneity may mean that some individual stones are less compatible with the hydrophobic treatment tested than others. Further field-based analyses (including methods such as XRF and in situ vp) of the treated area is required in order to determine the state of conservation more accurately. These results highlight the complexity in selecting a suitable hydrophobic treatment, especially at built sites where the mineralogy and petrophysical properties of the stone may vary between blocks. However, such treatments may still be important to consider as many climates, including Scotland’s, are becoming progressively wetter, increasing the vulnerability of stone heritage to moisture ingress, accelerated decay, and eventual ruin.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/6/7/259sandstonedecayheritagehydrophobicconservationbuildings |
| spellingShingle | Marli de Jongh David Benavente Maureen Young Callum Graham Martin Lee The Long-Term Efficiency and Compatibility of Hydrophobic Treatments in Protecting Vulnerable Sandstone at Arbroath Abbey (Scotland) Heritage sandstone decay heritage hydrophobic conservation buildings |
| title | The Long-Term Efficiency and Compatibility of Hydrophobic Treatments in Protecting Vulnerable Sandstone at Arbroath Abbey (Scotland) |
| title_full | The Long-Term Efficiency and Compatibility of Hydrophobic Treatments in Protecting Vulnerable Sandstone at Arbroath Abbey (Scotland) |
| title_fullStr | The Long-Term Efficiency and Compatibility of Hydrophobic Treatments in Protecting Vulnerable Sandstone at Arbroath Abbey (Scotland) |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Long-Term Efficiency and Compatibility of Hydrophobic Treatments in Protecting Vulnerable Sandstone at Arbroath Abbey (Scotland) |
| title_short | The Long-Term Efficiency and Compatibility of Hydrophobic Treatments in Protecting Vulnerable Sandstone at Arbroath Abbey (Scotland) |
| title_sort | long term efficiency and compatibility of hydrophobic treatments in protecting vulnerable sandstone at arbroath abbey scotland |
| topic | sandstone decay heritage hydrophobic conservation buildings |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/6/7/259 |
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