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Dr. Judith E. Selwyn of Preservation Technology Associates, Inc. was engaged by the church to conduct an exterior condition analysis to assist in understanding existing conditions of deterioration and water damage to the exterior materials and interior finishes, and to provide information that will assist in the long-term preservation of the building. A detailed close-up, but basically non-invasive, inspection was conducted on February 18, 2010 from a 170’ articulated Condor boom lift provided by Marr Scaffolding. This lift allowed access to the front (East) elevation, the east end of the north and south sides, portions of the tower roof, sections of the south elevation gutter, allowed overview of the south and north roofs as well inspection of representative portions of step, gable and cap flashings. The east, west and south sides of the large southwest chimney were also reviewed from the lift. Coping stone at north end of north front gable. Stone is cracked and above walkways.
On the wall above the door on the south side of the vestibule mortar joints have white (deteriorated cementious mortar) outlining many of the joints.
 Substantial erosion has fully degraded the carving that was in the recessed panel above the inset door. The wall above the door is deeply wet; it probably never fully dries out under current conditions, moss was noted when joints were probed. Unfortunately, the architectural arrangement, with the door basically at the back of the masonry wall and a series of setbacks in the wall above, aggravates the damage caused by water moving through the open mortar joints in the wall.  There are gaps between the flashing and the underlying stone, aggravated by open stone joints. At the north gable the end stone is severely cracked on both the north and east faces and a section has fallen away on the east side. The cause of this damage is the improper installation of fasteners holding the flashing to the stone. This stone overhangs walkways and represents a hazard. Cost Estimates for Immediate WorkReplacement of the tower roof and gutters, using new Green Vermont slate matching to the original unit dimensions and 20 red (ordinary, not coated) copper for the gutters. This work should be undertaken when masonry work at the sides and rear of the tower is undertaken as this will provide double duty for the scaffold. Remove, repair and replace copper roof ornament. $ 30,000-35,000. Scaffolding cost for this work is included in the masonry cost item. Replace north and south side gutters. Provide new 20 ounce copper installed over ice and water shield matching to the existing profiles. Provide new stiffening bar and twisted brass gutter straps. Provide drip edge soldered to the bottom of the gutter. Retain existing small copper cornice under the gutter. $ 50,000, inclusive of scaffolding.
Cut out and repoint all mortar on the east elevation include the front of the tower, return walls between the tower and south front gable, round tower, north and south front gable walls. All areas must be carefully cut at least 1” deep or to sound mortar, whichever is greater. Carefully wash all organic materials from joints. Repoint with Type O mortar matched to the original raised bead tooling detail. Replace cracked coping stones (2 units) on the North gable with new matching buff sandstone. Coordinate with replacement of copper gable flashing. $ 120,000 - $ 160,000, inclusive of scaffolding.Cut out and repoint north, south and west sides of the tower. Coordinate with slate roof and gutter replacement at tower. $ 50,000-$ 70,000, inclusive of scaffolding.
Cut out and repoint south elevation entry areaway walls, steps, east facing wall at door, stair jambs and areas of the south wall to the west of the entry. Not including any repairs to structural steel or interior finishes. $ 10,000-15,000Provide limited partial repointing at north elevation areas where mortar joints have become deteriorated due to defective rainleaders. $ 5,000
Investigate southwest chimney and provide repair. Additional information is necessary about the condition of the furnace flue to design appropriate repairs. Cost to be determined.
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