St. Joseph Restoration

Challenge

There had been a lack of maintenance and general upkeep dating back to the structure’s completion in 1900.

Among the items in disrepair during the project’s first phase were open mortar joints, cracked brick and stone, deteriorated limestone, major surface regression of the soiled masonry, surface failed sealant and flashing.

Solution

Destructive and non-destructive testing determined proper preservation treatments and repair products to be used during the restoration program. restoration contractor and preservation treatment product representatives helped with this testing. The church needed all mortar joints repointed to weatherproof the building. The decorative sandstone also needed to be repaired due to surface regression over time.

Due to budget constraints, these units were repaired with a cementitious patching compound rather than complete replacement. The patching compound was designed to match the color of the existing red color of the sandstone. When completed, the exterior walls of the church were waterproof, requiring only periodic maintenance.

Value

A historic Topeka landmark that is more than a century old will continue to stand the test of time while retaining its appearance at the time of construction in 1900.