Work progress report
06.07.2018
Two weeks have passed since the start of work.
In this first phase our efforts were all focused on chemical and mechanical weeding. This was what made it possible for a large majority of the temple structures to be uncovered and for us to understand the actual conservation status of the stone surfaces.
The chemical weeding was carried out by the use of a pelargonic acid based product, ruling out the use of glyphosate, following an instruction given by the Comune di Fiesole.
Regarding the shrubs, we had to apply the undiluted product to the foliage (foliar application) and then to the debarked trunk with a brush.
As for the weeds, the applied product had immediate effects, but it's advisable to plan an adequate number of treatments over time.
The walls were weeded manually, carefully eradicating the vegetation.
In order to effectively intervene on biological attacks, the weeded surfaces were treated with a quaternary ammonium salts based biocide, pumped at a low pressure through a nozzle. We then proceeded to remove the residues of the biocidal treatment from the surfaces of the Etruscan temple façades and of the Roman temple stairs by the use of low-pressure water.
One of the goals set by the restoration project is the reinstatement of the functionality of the gutter.
For this purpose, we started working from the covering of the terminal portion of gutter, cleaning the Southern part of the area, between the Etruscan and the Roman walls.
Some tests were carried out to properly define the best treatment for the Roman temple podium, since the condition of its stone surfaces is fairly serious.
The planned interventions are as follows:
- biocidal treatment;
- manual removal of the semi-incoherent superficial deposits and of the treatments' residues;
- preconsolidating by the use of ethyl silicate additivated with a slow-acting biocide;
- micro-plastering;
- finishing protection with a water repellent that will prevent rainwater stagnation.