ABSTRACT
All laboratory tests and the practical applications have shown that the combination of nanolime dispersions with silicic acid esters, for example, their successive use, allows the consolidation of stones and mortars which are difficult to treat with conventional methods and materials. For characterisation the whole compounds including natural stone were vacuum-embedded in epoxy resin. The determination of water and ethanol absorption by Karsten tube was performed on three different areas of the stone surface with different damage phenomena. The absorption coefficient was measured using the Karsten tube. A decrease in water absorption coefficient was found after the nanolime treatment, which is in accordance with the criteria for positive evaluation of consolidants for porous building materials. The method is based on measurement of the ultrasonic waves passing through the material. All tested methods – abrasive methods, wet mechanical cleaning and chemical cleaning – led to satisfactory removal of the white haze without damaging the limestone surface.
