Inspiring Masonry Projects

Masonry Preservation Service showcases its unique approach to masonry preservation and building diagnostics.

Masonry Preservation Services (MPS) has a unique approach to masonry preservation, building envelope diagnostics, repointing, historic restoration, and new buildings. The company has been specializing in architectural maintenance and restoration since 1985. This deep experience gives MPS the ability to react and adapt to varied field conditions and resolve concerns quickly. Following are a few beautiful and inspiring masonry projects restored or repaired by MPS.

Winchester Medical Center
Winchester, Va.

MPS was awarded a Masonry Award of Merit from the International Concrete Repair Institute for this masonry reflashing. The company was tasked with resolving a 15-year, widespread interior leakage at a five-story, 340-bed Valley hospital, with minimal closures of patient and mission-critical rooms during construction period.

Method:

• A massive flashing campaign was required to address all potential water infiltration locations
• More than 400,000 bricks were removed and re-laid to accommodate the installation of over 1.4 miles of window head flashing and 1 mile of sill flashing

Result: A cost savings of more than $200,000 was credited back to the facility owner.
United States Penitentiary at Lewisburg
Lewisburg, Pa.

Standing 200 feet tall, an Italian Renaissance masonry tower concealing a once-active smokestack showed deterioration of masonry and embedded steel components, due to 75 years of element exposure. The likelihood of masonry fragments dislodging and falling required immediate action and adequate security protocols at the penitentiary.

Method:

• Rebuilding of corbels, gothic arches, battlements and balconies
• Multiple levels of flashing installation, types and interfaces
• Structural steel and concrete replacement
• Overall brick repointing and restoration cleaning
• Cast stone and terra cotta replacement and repairs
• Flat-seam copper roof and rainscreen installation
• Coating installation at smokestack cap and balcony

Result: A long-term phased repair plan maintained consistency with historic preservation standards and guidelines, while allowing ongoing access to various work zones.

Kreeger Museum
Washington, D.C.

Designed by renowned architect Philip Johnson, the Kreeger Museum dealt with years of roof and wall interface issues caused by multiple roof levels, travertine rising walls, and modern balustrade assemblies serving as the signature architectural expression.

Working as a team with the Kreeger Museum and Simpson Gumpertz and Heger (SGH), MPS developed a multilevel approach incorporating new through-wall flashing, masonry curbs, reinforced membranes, and roofing based on conceptual sketches developed by SGH. The final design integrated new through-wall stainless-steel flashing with extended drip projections and receivers to accommodate removable counterflashing, making it easier to replace future roofs.

Result: MPS continues ongoing maintenance work as the Kreeger building celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Jefferson Standard Building
Greensboro, N.C.

MPS was tasked with repairing original terra cotta on one of America’s early skyscrapers, the nationally registered Jefferson Standard Building.

Method:

• Numerous three-piece terra cotta lintel assemblies were replaced using a single reinforced precast unit with false joints to approximate the original assembly
• The projecting terra cotta brackets beneath the 17^th floor promenade were re-anchored and supported using custom stainless-steel Cintec grouted anchors installed at a 45-degree angle into the main superstructure
• To save historic terra cotta copings and accommodate new roof interfaces, all copings were removed and re-flashed

Result: Final project was completed in seven phases, rather than 10, and included savings generated by using a design/restoration concept implemented in concert with the consulting engineers.

Angeline Elizabeth Kirby Memorial Health Center
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

After previous waterproofing efforts resulted in increased water infiltration and deterioration, MPS was called to repair and preserve granite assemblies on the 1929 health center, while it remained fully operational for patients throughout the phased three-year restoration process.

Method:

• Multiple lines of new copper flashing were installed at parapets, copings, balustrades and block modillion cornices
• All granite mortar joints were repointed, and new historically compatible mortar was installed
• New Sarnafil and Ludowici roofs and associated roof details were required, including new concealed copper gutters and masonry interfaces

First Presbyterian Church
Winston-Salem, N.C.

Constructed using a hybrid masonry wall in 1974, this First Presbyterian Church faced years of continual interior leakage, causing staining and degradation of the masonry walls and interior finishes. Central city location and numerous adjoining buildings posed challenges for evaluation and repairs.

To make the hybrid masonry wall water resistant, MPS installed extensive new flashing at all rising walls and above masonry limestone trim components. Limestone coping components were removed and lead-coated copper through-wall flashings were added. Complex step flashing was installed at all rising wall interfaces. Each included a projecting counterflashing receiver and foam drainage weep integrated for optimal performance.

Muhlenberg College
Allentown, Pa.
MPS has completed more than 40 projects at Muhlenberg College over the last 15 years, working closely with the college on budgeting, evaluation, scope of work and repair execution.

Recent restoration of the historic Ettinger Building required 100 percent repointing of the raised ribbon mortar joints on the stone facade and replacement of hundreds of deteriorated limestone pieces adorning the windows. Extensive research and multiple samples were required to achieve a mortar that matched the existing rose-colored mortar joints.

Reynolds Building
Winston-Salem, N.C.

Built as a prototype for the Empire State Building, this 22-story tower was plagued with oxide jacking, caused by displacement and spalling of the building’s limestone components. Investigation determined all parapets would have to be removed, disassembled, and rebuilt.

Method:

• MPS, along with Sutton-Kennerly & Associates, designed a structural steel lifting assembly to serve as a hoisting frame for limestone parapet disassembly and rebuilding
• Additional work included repointing, spall repair and copper spandrel repair
• Repairs included provisions for through-wall flashing and anchorage of all limestone components in accordance with building codes, without any change in the building’s exterior appearance

 Result: This inspiring masonry project was completed in just 7 1/2 months. Based on MPS’ performance, the project’s size and scope were extended to include the completion of the upper tower and the cleaning of the entire structure.