Restoration of Facade After Hurricane Irene and a Fire
Property: Windsor Court
Location: 131 & 155 East 31st Street, Manhattan, New York, NY
Challenge
After having to demobilize for Hurricane Irene and remobilize, multiple areas of the two towers in Manhattan, NYC were reporting substantial water intrusion at the floor level which had not been part of the original New York Local Law 11 work. After investigation with the buildings hired engineer, it was determined that the old PVC waterproofing behind the brick had deteriorated to the point where it was brittle and cracking. This was causing leaks into the various apartments under driving rain.
Several months after completion, a fire that started on the 3rd floor terrace damaged several floors of brickwork including precast work around the perimeter parapet wall which had to be fixed in a timely manner. Additionally, the dark heavy smoke from the fire had stained the brick facade up 10 floors, which required finding the best cleaning method to get the results the owner sought.
Solution
Repairs required removing 5 courses of brick resting on the concrete eyebrow, removing the existing PVC waterproofing, applying Grace Bituthene 4000, sealing all splices and terminations, water testing all areas repaired with building engineer present, and install new brick to match the existing.
Repairs required sounding for damaged brick caused by the heat of the fire in addition to visible damage. Replace damaged flashings, fabrication of new coping stones along perimeter parapet wall and cleaning the facade. The cleaning proved to be difficult given the brick texture allowed the soot particles to be trapped in the tiny crevasses of the brick and was resolved by testing various cleaning products by Prosoco, until, the best one for the job was found.
Services Performed
Original work was based on Local Law 11 report and called for repairs to existing control joints, pointing, brick replacement, caulking AC sleeves, and concrete eyebrow repairs. After Hurricane Irene, we installed waterproofing and new brick at eyebrows. Finally, thoroughly clean and repair damaged brick on one side of 131 building caused by a fire on the patio terrace.
