A Star Decorators

TORC cleaning and masonry restoration · Reading

TORC cleaning in Reading.

The Stonehealth TORC system uses a low pressure vortex of air, water and fine inert granulate to remove paint, graffiti, carbon sulphation and biological soiling from stone, brick and masonry. We specify TORC when a gentle controlled abrasion is needed that DOFF steam alone cannot deliver. Managed by A Star and delivered by our Stonehealth Rosette approved specialist, under A Star RAMS. Delivered across Reading and Thames Valley. Commercial and office decorating across Reading and the Thames Valley. Green Park, Thames Valley Park and the M4 business parks drive a programme of corporate fit-out, on-site spraying of partitions and joinery, and decoration phased around occupied office floors.

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Why Reading

Why choose us for torc cleaning and masonry restoration in Reading and Thames Valley.

Track record

  • Managed by A Star and delivered by our Stonehealth Rosette approved specialist, under A Star RAMS
  • Inert non silica granulate, damp operated to contain dust and protect the substrate
  • Method chosen to lift heavy soiling while preserving the masonry surface

Right fit when

  • The substrate is stone, brick, terracotta or concrete with heavy paint, graffiti or carbon sulphation that needs controlled low level abrasion.
  • The surface is too sensitive for chemical strippers or grit blasting, but the soiling is too stubborn for steam or soft wash alone.
  • The building is listed, in a conservation area or on a World Heritage site where method approval needs a Stonehealth Rosette approved specialist.
  • A DOFF clean has been ruled out because the soiling is not solely biological or atmospheric, and a survey confirms TORC will lift the layer without substrate damage.

Scope · included

What you get when you brief us for torc cleaning and masonry restoration in Reading.

  • Stonehealth TORC cleaning with air, water and inert non silica granulate at controlled vortex pressure
  • Full site containment and damp operation dust management, with extraction where required
  • Project RAMS including COSHH for granulate dust and a noise assessment
  • Collection and compliant disposal of spent granulate and soiling residue under the site waste plan

Sectors · Reading

Types of building we cover with torc cleaning and masonry restoration in Reading.

  • Heritage
  • Residential
  • Commercial
  • Retail
  • Education

Reading programme

How we run torc cleaning and masonry restoration schemes locally.

01

Survey

Substrate identified, soiling type and depth assessed, trial patch to confirm TORC suitability, moisture content, previous treatment history, access and containment feasibility.

02

Specification

Granulate grade selected, vortex pressure and water ratio calibrated to the substrate, containment plan with negative air where dust control needs it, damp operation protocol, and the condition record scope.

03

RAMS

Project RAMS covering COSHH for the inert granulate, exclusion zone radius, scaffold encapsulation, dust monitoring during works, noise assessment for neighbours, and traffic and pedestrian management on public highways.

04

Delivery

Encapsulation and MEWP or scaffold setup with full containment. Damp TORC application in controlled passes, continuous substrate inspection to avoid over cleaning, spent granulate and soiling collected by filtered vacuum. On completion, containment removed and a final inspection held with the client or conservation officer.

05

Handover

Post clean report: granulate specification, pass count, before and after photographs, moisture readings, substrate condition record, maintenance guidance and retreatment interval where staining recurs.

CHAS Accredited
Site Safety Plus
Dulux Academy

Frequently asked · Reading

What clients in Reading usually ask first.

Can you decorate occupied office floors?
Yes. Thames Valley work is mostly live: phased floor-by-floor, low-odour systems, and evening or weekend cuts so staff keep working around us.
Do you spray on site?
Yes. On-site spraying gives a factory-grade finish to partitions, doors and joinery without removing them, contained and masked for an occupied building.
How far do you cover from Reading?
The whole Thames Valley: Bracknell, Slough, Maidenhead, Newbury and the M4 parks between Reading and London.
Is the TORC system safe for listed stone?
Yes. TORC is a Stonehealth conservation system. The low pressure vortex with fine inert granulate is controllable and does not open the stone pores or abrade historic tooling when operated correctly. We run a trial patch at survey and supply method statements for conservation officer approval.
What is the difference between TORC and DOFF?
DOFF uses superheated steam at low pressure to lift biological and atmospheric soiling without abrasion. TORC adds a fine inert granulate into the vortex, giving a gentle controlled abrasion that removes paint, graffiti and hard carbon sulphation. If the soiling is surface dirt or algae, DOFF is ideal. If it is paint or a thick carbon crust, TORC is the right tool. The survey specifies which system suits your substrate.
Will TORC create dust?
TORC can be run damp, which suppresses airborne dust. For large facades or enclosed spaces we add full encapsulation and negative air extraction. The granulate is inert and non toxic, but we treat it as nuisance dust under COSHH and monitor during the work. It is far cleaner than dry grit blasting.
Can TORC remove several layers of paint from brick?
Yes. TORC is effective at peeling paint, bitumen coatings and graffiti off masonry. We adjust the vortex pressure and granulate grade to strip the layers without cutting into the brick face. A trial patch at survey shows the result and the number of passes needed.
How long does TORC cleaning take?
It depends on the soiling type, area and number of passes. A typical residential stone frontage runs 2 to 4 days including containment and handover. Commercial facades run to a programme agreed in writing. You get a day by day schedule after the survey.

Also in Reading

Other services we deliver in Reading and Thames Valley.

Recent work

Recent work across Thames Valley.

Cross-link

See the full TORC cleaning and masonry restoration service →All services in Reading →

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