150,000-square-foot structure was
dismantled and rebuilt, which required
rubble and carved stone replacement,
approximately 1,500 dutchmen re-
pairs, thousands of mortar/crack re-
pairs, installation of 10,000 anchors,
and a complete laser cleaning of the
facade.*
Swan says new laser cleaning tech-
nology garners superior results and
minimizes damage done by more
aggressive techniques. According
to Public Services and Procurement
Canada, “Laser technology offers a
21st-century solution for a medieval
craft. Using a highly focused, powerful
light source, the stonemasons simply
vaporize the dirt without any physical
contact. It is a convenient, flexible and
vastly superior approach, and now a
standard tool in the stonemason’s kit
right beside the traditional trowel.”
“Our teams used laser cleaning on
the outside [of the West Block] which
is why it shines like new” says Swan.
“We have been able to remove all the
pollution from the last 100 years or
so in a way that doesn’t damage the
stone. In the past, people removed the
grime from old buildings using more
aggressive processes, like high pres-
sure washing and sandblasting which
damages the stone, but laser cleaning,
when done properly doesn’t damage
the stone.”
In 2017, Swan joined representatives
from RJW-Gem Campbell Stone-
masons, Inc. in accepting the Best
JULY 2018 | BUSINESS ELITE CANADA 11
