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Preservation Trades Company worked to
preserve the stone, clean the heavy black soot off of the outside
of the building, and to correct water infiltration within
the walls and roof. All elevations of the parish house, transepts,
nave, and the altar were repointed.
The entire building was cleaned with Prosoco chemicals and the copper
roofs were replaced over the education building and vestibules. Heavy
deposits of sulfuric acid and grime had caused the fieldstone
and limestone to spall badly.
The damaging deposits threatened the
intricately carved ornamental limestone in the bell tower. The huge
sanctuary floor had sagged in several places and had to be jacked
back up and then supported from the basement walls. New lighting
was installed on the bell tower as well as pigeon netting and lightning
rods.
 New copper flashing and roofs were
installed where roofs were integrated into the project plan. |
The copper roof's original joint sealants had been repaired with tar, then over the years when repairs were needed again, it had been smeared
over with silicone. Since the two substances are incompatible this
had resulted in severe problems. In addition, when the copper roof
was laid, the pieces were too large. As the roof expanded and contracted
it eventually pulled itself apart. The expansion/contraction ratio
exceeded the capabilities of the joint.
Heavy deposits of dirt and grime were removed from the outside of the
building using chemical cleaners, baking soda and medium pressure wash. Extensive restoration work was done to the top of the bell tower and a water repellant was used
to help preserve the intricate carved limestone features on the tower. |
