Building Solutions
Diamond Bar

News and Insights on the Protection and Preservation of
 Building Structures in the Greater Boston Area





Vol.2 No.5

July 2010

Greetings!


In this issue of Building Solutions, we continue to feature Case Study articles on our historic and period restoration projects, this time describing a major restoration project at the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center in Newton.  We also include a Building Basics article on Concrete Spalling and Delamination.

We trust that you will benefit from the information provided in this publication. If you have any comments or questions, we can be reached at 617-445-0274 or at www.abbotbuilding.com.

 
Sincerely,
 
Michael Norman
Vice President
Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc.
617-445-0274


Abbot Restores Historic Clock Tower at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC

Abbot completed a major restoration of the clock tower at the historic Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center in Newton.

Mortar RepairIn 2004, an architectural firm (D.M. Berg Consultants, Needham, MA) was contracted to evaluate the structural integrity of the clock tower due to concerns by the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston who purchased the building and renovated it in 1979 (see below) .  During the evaluation, vertical cracks were discovered in the brick corners and the passage doors leading to the perimeter copper-clad balcony were severely deteriorated.  Further, the overall condition of the masonry joints was poor.   
 
Abbot was contracted to completely rebuild one of the brick corners, replace deteriorated brick on the other corners, and repoint all four sides of the tower.   Also as part of the project, Abbot replaced all four sets of passage doors with heavy-duty metal and glass doors that were engineered to withstand severe weather conditions.  In addition, Abbot replaced the copper panels on the turrets and installed screening to protect the eaves from birds and other predators that could create an environmental hazard.
 
During the construction process, the wood floor of the balcony was found to be deteriorating badly.  Abbot removed the old floor, reframed the balcony, installed a new wood floor, covered the floor with a waterproof EPDM roofing material to protect it from the elements, and repaired the copper perimeter of the balcony to restore its original appearance.

leventhal-sidman jcc backAs an added touch, Abbot restored the clock face and replaced the Roman numerals with Hebrew letters at the
owner's request.   
 
As the final phase of the project, Abbot power washed the horseshoe-shaped grand staircase located at the bottom of the tower, and completely repointed the stone joints.
              _____________________________

The Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center was originally a 4-story Victorian structure and gymnasium with a 7-story square clock tower at the right front wing.  Constructed in 1886, the building was first used as the Working Boys Home Industrial School run by the Archdiocese of Boston, and then later as a Novitiate for the Xavarian Brothers Clergy.  It was purchased by the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston (CJP) in 1979, who renovated it for use as an office and community recreational center in the early 1980s. 

Concrete Spalling and Delamination

Concrete spalling and delamination are typically the result of internal pressure caused by corroding reinforcing steel.

spallingSpalls are areas where concrete has broken away from the wall. Small spalls, or pop outs, can occur at edges where bar ends terminate near the concrete surface or at other localized areas of shallow concrete cover. Larger spalls occur near embedments and where long sections of reinforcing steel, with insufficient cover, run parallel to the concrete's surface.

Delaminations are areas where the concrete has not properly bonded with the reinforcing steel. The resulting planar cracks, that run parallel to the surface, are due to corrosion of rebar near the top surface or below embedments. Delaminations can be detected by tapping the concrete with a hammer. A hollow sound indicates a delaminated area.

Spalls and delaminations on the building fa�ade may be only warnings of more extensive structural damage extending into the building. Repairs inside the building are more expensive, often requiring shoring and bracing of windows or walls and protection of interior spaces from dust and weather.


Abbot offers effective restoration solutions to these problems and others you may confront.  Contact us at 617-445-0274 for a FREE INSPECTIONAL INVESTIGATION or visit our web site at www.abbotbuilding.com.

About Abbot Building Restoration

Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc., has been providing quality construction and restoration services for more than 50 years.  We have built our reputation on a strong work ethic, a high level of technical expertise, and longstanding relationships with a variety of clients in the public, institutional, and commercial sectors.
 
We specialize in restoring and preserving the integrity of the building envelope of aging and problem structures in the greater Boston area.  We also provide remedial weatherproofing services to correct construction deficiencies in newer structures.  Our specific areas of expertise include:


o   Masonry construction and repairs
o   Weatherproofing services
o   Caulking
o   Pointing
o   Waterproofing
o   Special coatings and sealants
o   Roof repair, replacement, or resurfacing


Call Abbot today at 617-445-0274 to arrange for a FREE INSPECTIONAL INVESTIGATION, or visit our web site at www.abbotbuilding.com.


abbot logo

Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc.
28 Allerton Street, Boston, MA 02119
Tel: 617-445-0274  � Fax: 617-445-0277

EMail: [email protected]

IIN THIS ISSUE

Case Study
Abbot completed a major restoration of the clock tower and grand staircase at the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center in Newton.

See full article below.

Building Basics
Concrete spalling and delamination are typically the result of internal pressure caused by corroding reinforcing steel.

See full article below.
New EMail Address

If you have an upcoming restoration project, send us an email at our new address for a FREE no obligation estimate:

[email protected]

Your email will be sent directly to our Operations Group for immediate attention.