Dear (Contact First Name),
In this issue, our Case Study article features our recent restoration of a section of the facade of 4-story condominium building in the seaside community of Revere, MA. Our Masonry 101 article describes an "elastomeric" coating and its benefits.
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.
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Abbot Restores Main Facade Section of Condominium Building in Revere, MA
Abbot recently restored the main center section in the front of the four-story Surfside Lofts Condominium building located in the seaside community of Revere, MA. The building is constructed of EIFS (artificial stucco) with a series of floor to ceiling windows configured in multiple sections on each floor.
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Surfside Lofts Condominium, Revere, MA
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In early 2011, the windows in the three main center sections of the building began to experience signs of water leakage as evidenced by staining into the interior surface. Abbot, along with the property management company, Raymond Properties, inspected and tested these sections, and determined that the problem involved the windows. Since replacing the windows was not an option, it was decided to wet glaze around the entire perimeter of each light of glass - metal to metal and metal to glass. The front was divided into three sections from the overhang to the ground and one section was completely repaired as the test area. As EIFS it is not a true water resistant surface, an additional coating is often required to protect the surface. Toward this end, Abbot also applied a waterproof elastomeric coating to the EIFS in the test section that matched the color of the original cementitious material. To evaluate the effectiveness of the sealing/coating process, it was decided to expose the building to the elements over an extended time period of over a year. Fortunately, the combination of the window glazing and elastomeric coating proved to be an effective seal to significantly reduce water penetration. Based on this determination, the owner decided to complete the sealing of the other two sections, including the large EIFS overhang above the center section, in the spring of 2013.
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What is an "Elastomeric Coating"?
In our Case Study article, an elastomeric coating was used to provide water resistance to the EIFS building material. So what does "elastomeric" mean?  |
Under normal conditions, the long molecules making up an elastomeric material are irregularly coiled (A). With the application of force, the molecules straighten out in the direction in which they are being pulled (B).
Upon release, the molecules spontaneously return to their normal compact arrangement.
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As its name implies, an "elastomer" is a rubbery synthetic polymer that has the unique ability to recover its original shape without damage after being stretched to a great extent. Without getting too technical, the elasticity is derived from the ability of long molecular chains to reconfigure themselves to distribute an applied stress. Formulated into a coating, elastomers can provide maximum water resistance plus the durability to withstand a wide range of environmental conditions. Further, elastomeric coatings also offer superior UV resistance and deter growth of mold and mildew. For best results, surface preparation and coating application should be performed under optimum environmental conditions to help prevent potential coating failure.
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Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc.
28 Allerton Street, Boston, MA 02119
Tel: 617-445-0274 � Fax: 617-445-0277
[email protected] � www.abbotbuilding.com
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Featured Articles
Case Study
Abbot recently restored the facade of an 4-story condominium building in Revere, MA.
See full article below
Masonry 101
See full article below
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New Abbot Theme:
We are pleased to our new corporate theme for 2014: "Second to None"
This theme reflects the expertise, versatility, and workmanship we put into every masonry restoration project.
Watch for our new ads in popular industry publications.
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