Masonry Solutions

Diamond Bar

News and Insights on the Masonry Repair and Maintenance of Institutional, Commercial, and Condominium Buildings in Eastern Massachusetts   
 



Vol.4 No. 5

  July 2012  

Dear (Contact First Name),

In this issue, our Case Study article features our recent restoration of the facade of a brick and limestone multi-story office building in downtown Boston. Our Masonry 101 article describes how to inhibit moisture staining in below grade brick veneers. 

We trust that you will benefit from the information provided in this publication. If you have any comments or questions, or would like an estimate on a masonry repair project, we can be reached at
617-445-0274 or at www.abbotbuilding.com.    

 

Sincerely,

  

Michael Norman, President
Abbot Building Restoration Co., Inc. 

 

Case Study

Abbot Restores Facade of Downtown Boston High Rise Office Building            

Abbot recently completed a major restoration of the fa�ade of a brick and limestone high rise office building at 85 Devonshire Street in downtown Boston, MA. 

 

85 Devonshire St SmallPhase 1 of the restoration involved the 12-story south, west, and east elevations where Abbot repaired various perimeter wall defects as indicated in a report by the engineering firm (D.M. Berg Consultants, Needham, MA) contracted by the building owner. The repairs consisted of pinning defective stones and sealing numerous cracks to bring the building in compliance with the City of Boston Facade Ordinance Code.

 

On the 5-story north elevation, the brick wall that corresponded with the elevator shaft was experiencing severe leakage likely attributed to the multiple dislodged bricks and deteriorated windows. The contract called for Abbot to repair the dislodged bricks, install new brick in place of all of the windows, repoint the entire brick wall and seal the wall with two coats of an elastomeric protective coating. The project was complicated by the need for Abbot to move its equipment over an abutter's roof by crane, erect the equipment, and then remove the equipment by crane after the job was completed.

 

 

Masonry 101

Below Grade Brick Veneers  

Brick and other masonry materials are porous and ideally should remain above grade. If the brick veneer comes in contact with the earth, the wall may experience unsightly stains caused by "rising damp" -- the wicking of moisture and impurities.

 

Below Grade Brick VeneerHowever, if the building design does call for below grade brick veneer, installation of through-wall flashing with a drip edge should inhibit the "rising damp".

 

The flashing material will need to be supported so it does not sag and create an internal gutter. Grouting the space under the flashing can support the flashing and also provide added stability for the sub-grade wall.

  

  

abbot logo
 

Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc.

28 Allerton Street, Boston, MA 02119
Tel: 617-445-0274  � Fax: 617-445-0277

[email protected] www.abbotbuilding.com  

Featured Articles  

 

Case Study

 

Abbot recently restored the facade of a downtown Boston office building.

  

See full article below  

 

Masonry 101

 

Through-wall flashing can help inhibit moisture staining in below grade brick veneers.

 

See full article below

St. Anne's Parish Wins 2012 Somerville Preservation Award

St. Anne's Parish was selected to receive a 2012 Historic Preservation Award from the Somerville, MA Historic Preservation Commission. 

St. Anne's Parish
The Commission initiated this annual award in 1995 to publicly honor local owners who have completed exterior improvements in keeping with the historical character of their property.


Abbot's expert workmanship in the restoration of St. Anne's elegant brick tower
was instrumental in the  Commission's decision.


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