Specification:Removing climbing plants and creepers from masonry

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=GENERAL=

SUMMARY
 This procedure includes guidance on removing climbing plants from masonry. It is important to remove heavy vegetative growth from masonry, as its presence can pose many problems, such as holding moisture against the masonry surface, blocking gutters and downspouts, scouring soft wall surfaces, eroding mortar and hindering or limiting access for maintenance inspections and repairs. See 01100-07-S for general project guidelines to be reviewed along with this procedure. These guidelines cover the following sections:  Safety Precautions Historic Structures Precautions Submittals Quality Assurance Delivery, Storage and Handling</li> Project/Site Conditions</li> Sequencing and Scheduling</li> General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)</li> </ol> </li> </ol> These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing this procedure and should be followed, when applicable, along with recommendations from the Regional Historic Preservation Officer (RHPO). =PRODUCTS =

MANUFACTURERS
<ol type="A"> Chevron Chemical Co. Ortho Consumer Products Division P.O. Box 5047 San Romon, CA 94583-0947 510/842-1000</li> Monsanto Co. Agricultural Products St. Louis, MO 63167 800/225-2883 or 314/694-1000</li> </ol>

MATERIALS
<ol type="A"> Ammonium Sulfamate:  (crystals) <ol>

Past use was a base for weed killers; Not now readily available; Substitute any brand weed killer solution.</li> Available from chemical supply house, construction specialties distributor, garden and lawn supply center.</li> </ol> </li> -OR- A commercial weed killer such as "Brush-B-Gon" (Chevron Chemical Co.), "Round-Up" (Monsanto Co.), or approved equal.</li> </ol>

EQUIPMENT
<ol type="A"> Lopping and/or pruning shears</li> Garden hose and nozzle</li> Stiff bristle brushes (non-metallic)</li> Wood scrapers, knife blades and spatulas</li> </ol> =EXECUTION=

EXAMINATION
<ol type="A"> Inspect building at the beginning of the growing season and monthly during the growing season for signs of change in drainage patterns and evidence of plant material damaging the building.</li> Examine the wall surface to determine the amount of damage being caused by the presence of the plant growth.</li> Check to see if the vine roots have penetrated the mortar joints.</li> <li>Notify the RHPO if mortar joints, or the masonry units themselves, are found to be deteriorated due to the roots, or to the weight of the plant growth.</li> </ol>

ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION
<ol type="A"> <li>Using loping or pruning shears, cut vine trunk(s) about four inches (4") above grade and remove a section of stem above this cut. Leave approximately a six inch (6") gap between the stump of the trunk and the stem.</li> <li>Make vertical cuts through the bark of the stump and peel the bark back slightly to expose about one inch (1") of the inner wood.</li>   <li>Apply a thick paste made from ammonium sulfamate crystals, or spray apply weed killer to the exposed surfaces of the stump.  BE CAREFUL NOT TO GET ANY ON THE MASONRY.</li>    <li>Allow the vines to die naturally, then remove the dried tendrils and roots, taking care not to remove bits of masonry and mortar.      <ol>

<li>Large, heavy, mature vines may be more easily removed by cutting the network of stems into smaller sections.</li>

<li>If the root system of mature vines is extensive, it may be necessary to remove individual roots from each mortar joint. <li>Perform repairs to the masonry (including and resetting individual bricks or stones) as removal proceeds to maintain the integrity of the wall surface.</li> <li>Do not leave any dead wood within joints of the wall. As the wood decays, voids may be left with the wall that can lead to more serious problems.</li> </ol> </li> </ol> </li> <li>Gently scrub the wall with a stiff, non-metallic bristle brush and clean, clear water (sprayed at low pressure) to remove any remaining dried plant material.</li> <li>For root pods that are more difficult to remove, try using low pressure steam while brushing with a stiff, non-metallic bristle brush.</li> </ol>