Derek Geldard wrote:
Quiz, what 's caused the staining on this gable end?

http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?I...1&DISPLAY=FULL

ISTM that finial (?) is well above the height that roof water could
spill over, that seems to be happening further down the roof in a
symmetrical fashion. and to a much lesser extent anyway.

There won't be any leaking gutters, how's all that water get up there,
assuming it is water?

DG

It's probably carbon, soot, pollution, call it what you like....the rain
probably lands on the stonework above and drips on these two pieces at the
sides, it also gets onto it a bit lower down the roof too.....I assume with
these pieces of stonework staying wetter for longer they hold the dirt, or
possibly the pollution / soot in the water is discolouring the stonework.
It wouldn't be as noticable had it been built of a darker stone or even
bricks - yellow sandstone tends to highlight every little mark but is a good
candidate for cleaning because it looks like brand new once cleaned,
although it doesn't stay clean for very long.