Southeast Region CSI

I am working on a unique project in South Georgia in which 100 year old historic concrete balustrade rails surrounding an existing active blue spring are in need of repairs and refurbishment.  The area is located near a river that floods on a regular basis and floods the surrounding historic concrete balustrade structures two to three times per year.  The balustrades were formed and produced on the job site back in the 1920's.  Their surfaces are showing signs of wear and weathering and I would like to clean the components, make repairs as necessary and help protect them with some type of a permeable coating that will form a penetrating bond through the carbonated layers and into good existing concrete materials.  A petrographic evaluation has been done with findings that the majority of the balusters and rails contain no course aggregate, and the binder is straight cement.  There is a good amount of carbonation in the balusters and rails varying from 1/4 up to 3/4" in places.  The baluster grout had a relatively high water to cement (w/c) ration when cast but with a hundred years of curing have resulted in a moderate hard paste with a Mohs hardness of approximately three.  The sand has a slightly courser gradation than normally expected with a maximum particle size of 2 mm and consists of almost entirely of quartz with lesser amounts of quartzite, feldspars, and hematite/goethite.   

Any thoughts on what type of product/s to use would be greatly appreciated.  Cementitious overlays do not work bond well to carbonated paste.  So between high UV exposure, and water immersion up seven days at a time creates unique challenges



------------------------------
Kent McClure CSI, AIA
Principal Architect
Yielding Wakeford & McGee Architects
Albany GA
229-435-0036
------------------------------

Discuss with Keim Mineral Stains tech people. This line of products is often used with success on historic concrete and stucco.

------------------------------
Philip Kabza RA, FCSI, CCS, AIA, SCIP
Principal
SpecGuy Specifications Consultants
Mount Dora FL
704-367-1991
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-03-2022 04:40 AM
From: Kent McClure
Subject: Preservation thoughts on old Historic Concrete Balustrade Rails constructed in 1920's:

I am working on a unique project in South Georgia in which 100 year old historic concrete balustrade rails surrounding an existing active blue spring are in need of repairs and refurbishment.  The area is located near a river that floods on a regular basis and floods the surrounding historic concrete balustrade structures two to three times per year.  The balustrades were formed and produced on the job site back in the 1920's.  Their surfaces are showing signs of wear and weathering and I would like to clean the components, make repairs as necessary and help protect them with some type of a permeable coating that will form a penetrating bond through the carbonated layers and into good existing concrete materials.  A petrographic evaluation has been done with findings that the majority of the balusters and rails contain no course aggregate, and the binder is straight cement.  There is a good amount of carbonation in the balusters and rails varying from 1/4 up to 3/4" in places.  The baluster grout had a relatively high water to cement (w/c) ration when cast but with a hundred years of curing have resulted in a moderate hard paste with a Mohs hardness of approximately three.  The sand has a slightly courser gradation than normally expected with a maximum particle size of 2 mm and consists of almost entirely of quartz with lesser amounts of quartzite, feldspars, and hematite/goethite.   

Any thoughts on what type of product/s to use would be greatly appreciated.  Cementitious overlays do not work bond well to carbonated paste.  So between high UV exposure, and water immersion up seven days at a time creates unique challenges



------------------------------
Kent McClure CSI, AIA
Principal Architect
Yielding Wakeford & McGee Architects
Albany GA
229-435-0036
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 5/3/2022 4:41:00 AM
From: Kent McClure, CSI, AIA
Subject: Preservation thoughts on old Historic Concrete Balustrade Rails constructed in 1920's:

I am working on a unique project in South Georgia in which 100 year old historic concrete balustrade rails surrounding an existing active blue spring are in need of repairs and refurbishment.  The area is located near a river that floods on a regular basis and floods the surrounding historic concrete balustrade structures two to three times per year.  The balustrades were formed and produced on the job site back in the 1920's.  Their surfaces are showing signs of wear and weathering and I would like to clean the components, make repairs as necessary and help protect them with some type of a permeable coating that will form a penetrating bond through the carbonated layers and into good existing concrete materials.  A petrographic evaluation has been done with findings that the majority of the balusters and rails contain no course aggregate, and the binder is straight cement.  There is a good amount of carbonation in the balusters and rails varying from 1/4 up to 3/4" in places.  The baluster grout had a relatively high water to cement (w/c) ration when cast but with a hundred years of curing have resulted in a moderate hard paste with a Mohs hardness of approximately three.  The sand has a slightly courser gradation than normally expected with a maximum particle size of 2 mm and consists of almost entirely of quartz with lesser amounts of quartzite, feldspars, and hematite/goethite.   

Any thoughts on what type of product/s to use would be greatly appreciated.  Cementitious overlays do not work bond well to carbonated paste.  So between high UV exposure, and water immersion up seven days at a time creates unique challenges



------------------------------
Kent McClure CSI, AIA
Principal Architect
Yielding Wakeford & McGee Architects
Albany GA
229-435-0036
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 5/4/2022 11:31:00 AM
From: Clifford Marvin, CSI, CCS, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, SCIP
Subject: RE: Preservation thoughts on old Historic Concrete Balustrade Rails constructed in 1920's:

Kent:

 

Have you consulted Sika on this?  They have a whole battery of products you can use for concrete repair.  Also, you should be able to find even more resources through ICRI, International Concrete Repair Institute.

 

Patrick Morrissey immediately comes to mind.  I can tell him to call you.

 

Clifford Marvin | Professional Content Designer  

 

T  404-365-8900  Ext 1602  M  718-760-7160 

E  clifford.marvin@rib-software.com   

 

 

 

 

Original Message:
Sent: 5/3/2022 4:41:00 AM
From: Kent McClure, CSI, AIA
Subject: Preservation thoughts on old Historic Concrete Balustrade Rails constructed in 1920's:

I am working on a unique project in South Georgia in which 100 year old historic concrete balustrade rails surrounding an existing active blue spring are in need of repairs and refurbishment.  The area is located near a river that floods on a regular basis and floods the surrounding historic concrete balustrade structures two to three times per year.  The balustrades were formed and produced on the job site back in the 1920's.  Their surfaces are showing signs of wear and weathering and I would like to clean the components, make repairs as necessary and help protect them with some type of a permeable coating that will form a penetrating bond through the carbonated layers and into good existing concrete materials.  A petrographic evaluation has been done with findings that the majority of the balusters and rails contain no course aggregate, and the binder is straight cement.  There is a good amount of carbonation in the balusters and rails varying from 1/4 up to 3/4" in places.  The baluster grout had a relatively high water to cement (w/c) ration when cast but with a hundred years of curing have resulted in a moderate hard paste with a Mohs hardness of approximately three.  The sand has a slightly courser gradation than normally expected with a maximum particle size of 2 mm and consists of almost entirely of quartz with lesser amounts of quartzite, feldspars, and hematite/goethite.   

Any thoughts on what type of product/s to use would be greatly appreciated.  Cementitious overlays do not work bond well to carbonated paste.  So between high UV exposure, and water immersion up seven days at a time creates unique challenges



------------------------------
Kent McClure CSI, AIA
Principal Architect
Yielding Wakeford & McGee Architects
Albany GA
229-435-0036
------------------------------

From the way you describe the materials it sounds like they used natural cement, not Portland or other manufactured hydraulic. The two best companies I know of that will match your look exactly while providing very high quality are Jahn Mortars from Cathedral Stone Cathedral Stone Products | The Professional's Choice for Masonry Restoration & Repair  and Edison Coatings - https://www.edisoncoatings.com/8.pdf and Rosendale Natural Cement (rosendalecement.net). Consider talking directly with Michael Edison at Edison Coatings. He is one of the most knowledgeable people I know when it comes to this type of work. Patrick Morrisey, mentioned by Cliff, is also a great resource.

------------------------------
Kenneth Hercenberg CSI, CCS, CCCA, CDT
Senior Specifier
Corgan Architects
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-03-2022 04:40 AM
From: Kent McClure
Subject: Preservation thoughts on old Historic Concrete Balustrade Rails constructed in 1920's:

I am working on a unique project in South Georgia in which 100 year old historic concrete balustrade rails surrounding an existing active blue spring are in need of repairs and refurbishment.  The area is located near a river that floods on a regular basis and floods the surrounding historic concrete balustrade structures two to three times per year.  The balustrades were formed and produced on the job site back in the 1920's.  Their surfaces are showing signs of wear and weathering and I would like to clean the components, make repairs as necessary and help protect them with some type of a permeable coating that will form a penetrating bond through the carbonated layers and into good existing concrete materials.  A petrographic evaluation has been done with findings that the majority of the balusters and rails contain no course aggregate, and the binder is straight cement.  There is a good amount of carbonation in the balusters and rails varying from 1/4 up to 3/4" in places.  The baluster grout had a relatively high water to cement (w/c) ration when cast but with a hundred years of curing have resulted in a moderate hard paste with a Mohs hardness of approximately three.  The sand has a slightly courser gradation than normally expected with a maximum particle size of 2 mm and consists of almost entirely of quartz with lesser amounts of quartzite, feldspars, and hematite/goethite.   

Any thoughts on what type of product/s to use would be greatly appreciated.  Cementitious overlays do not work bond well to carbonated paste.  So between high UV exposure, and water immersion up seven days at a time creates unique challenges



------------------------------
Kent McClure CSI, AIA
Principal Architect
Yielding Wakeford & McGee Architects
Albany GA
229-435-0036
------------------------------

You may want to consult these companies; they've got expertise in the restoration of artistic & historical cement artifacts.

https://www.mondoartistica.it/prodotto/balaustra-birilli-monoblocco-in-cemento/
https://www.spazioemme.com/balaustre-in-cemento.htm

------------------------------
Ray Sanavandi RA, CSI, AIA, M. Arch
Senior Architect
Acworth GA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-03-2022 04:40 AM
From: Kent McClure
Subject: Preservation thoughts on old Historic Concrete Balustrade Rails constructed in 1920's:

I am working on a unique project in South Georgia in which 100 year old historic concrete balustrade rails surrounding an existing active blue spring are in need of repairs and refurbishment.  The area is located near a river that floods on a regular basis and floods the surrounding historic concrete balustrade structures two to three times per year.  The balustrades were formed and produced on the job site back in the 1920's.  Their surfaces are showing signs of wear and weathering and I would like to clean the components, make repairs as necessary and help protect them with some type of a permeable coating that will form a penetrating bond through the carbonated layers and into good existing concrete materials.  A petrographic evaluation has been done with findings that the majority of the balusters and rails contain no course aggregate, and the binder is straight cement.  There is a good amount of carbonation in the balusters and rails varying from 1/4 up to 3/4" in places.  The baluster grout had a relatively high water to cement (w/c) ration when cast but with a hundred years of curing have resulted in a moderate hard paste with a Mohs hardness of approximately three.  The sand has a slightly courser gradation than normally expected with a maximum particle size of 2 mm and consists of almost entirely of quartz with lesser amounts of quartzite, feldspars, and hematite/goethite.   

Any thoughts on what type of product/s to use would be greatly appreciated.  Cementitious overlays do not work bond well to carbonated paste.  So between high UV exposure, and water immersion up seven days at a time creates unique challenges



------------------------------
Kent McClure CSI, AIA
Principal Architect
Yielding Wakeford & McGee Architects
Albany GA
229-435-0036
------------------------------

Grazie, il mio amico, Ray!  Thank you for these wonderful resources.

Are you also familiar with the resources available at the NPS (National Park Service) website?

Here's one:  https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/treatment-guidelines-2017.pdf

------------------------------
Clifford Marvin | Professional Content Designer

RIB SpecLink | 1200 Abernathy Road NE, Ste. 950 | Atlanta, GA 30328
C +1 718 760 7160

rib-software.com | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn |
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2022 04:03 PM
From: Ray Sanavandi
Subject: Preservation thoughts on old Historic Concrete Balustrade Rails constructed in 1920's:

You may want to consult these companies; they've got expertise in the restoration of artistic & historical cement artifacts.

https://www.mondoartistica.it/prodotto/balaustra-birilli-monoblocco-in-cemento/
https://www.spazioemme.com/balaustre-in-cemento.htm

------------------------------
Ray Sanavandi RA, CSI, AIA, M. Arch
Senior Architect
Acworth GA

Original Message:
Sent: 05-03-2022 04:40 AM
From: Kent McClure
Subject: Preservation thoughts on old Historic Concrete Balustrade Rails constructed in 1920's:

I am working on a unique project in South Georgia in which 100 year old historic concrete balustrade rails surrounding an existing active blue spring are in need of repairs and refurbishment.  The area is located near a river that floods on a regular basis and floods the surrounding historic concrete balustrade structures two to three times per year.  The balustrades were formed and produced on the job site back in the 1920's.  Their surfaces are showing signs of wear and weathering and I would like to clean the components, make repairs as necessary and help protect them with some type of a permeable coating that will form a penetrating bond through the carbonated layers and into good existing concrete materials.  A petrographic evaluation has been done with findings that the majority of the balusters and rails contain no course aggregate, and the binder is straight cement.  There is a good amount of carbonation in the balusters and rails varying from 1/4 up to 3/4" in places.  The baluster grout had a relatively high water to cement (w/c) ration when cast but with a hundred years of curing have resulted in a moderate hard paste with a Mohs hardness of approximately three.  The sand has a slightly courser gradation than normally expected with a maximum particle size of 2 mm and consists of almost entirely of quartz with lesser amounts of quartzite, feldspars, and hematite/goethite.   

Any thoughts on what type of product/s to use would be greatly appreciated.  Cementitious overlays do not work bond well to carbonated paste.  So between high UV exposure, and water immersion up seven days at a time creates unique challenges



------------------------------
Kent McClure CSI, AIA
Principal Architect
Yielding Wakeford & McGee Architects
Albany GA
229-435-0036
------------------------------

Ciao Marvin,
Grazie per il link.

------------------------------
Ray Sanavandi RA, CSI, AIA, M. Arch
Senior Architect
Acworth GA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2022 04:23 PM
From: Clifford Marvin
Subject: Preservation thoughts on old Historic Concrete Balustrade Rails constructed in 1920's:

Grazie, il mio amico, Ray!  Thank you for these wonderful resources.

Are you also familiar with the resources available at the NPS (National Park Service) website?

Here's one:  https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/treatment-guidelines-2017.pdf

------------------------------
Clifford Marvin | Professional Content Designer

RIB SpecLink | 1200 Abernathy Road NE, Ste. 950 | Atlanta, GA 30328
C +1 718 760 7160

rib-software.com | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn |

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2022 04:03 PM
From: Ray Sanavandi
Subject: Preservation thoughts on old Historic Concrete Balustrade Rails constructed in 1920's:

You may want to consult these companies; they've got expertise in the restoration of artistic & historical cement artifacts.

https://www.mondoartistica.it/prodotto/balaustra-birilli-monoblocco-in-cemento/
https://www.spazioemme.com/balaustre-in-cemento.htm

------------------------------
Ray Sanavandi RA, CSI, AIA, M. Arch
Senior Architect
Acworth GA

Original Message:
Sent: 05-03-2022 04:40 AM
From: Kent McClure
Subject: Preservation thoughts on old Historic Concrete Balustrade Rails constructed in 1920's:

I am working on a unique project in South Georgia in which 100 year old historic concrete balustrade rails surrounding an existing active blue spring are in need of repairs and refurbishment.  The area is located near a river that floods on a regular basis and floods the surrounding historic concrete balustrade structures two to three times per year.  The balustrades were formed and produced on the job site back in the 1920's.  Their surfaces are showing signs of wear and weathering and I would like to clean the components, make repairs as necessary and help protect them with some type of a permeable coating that will form a penetrating bond through the carbonated layers and into good existing concrete materials.  A petrographic evaluation has been done with findings that the majority of the balusters and rails contain no course aggregate, and the binder is straight cement.  There is a good amount of carbonation in the balusters and rails varying from 1/4 up to 3/4" in places.  The baluster grout had a relatively high water to cement (w/c) ration when cast but with a hundred years of curing have resulted in a moderate hard paste with a Mohs hardness of approximately three.  The sand has a slightly courser gradation than normally expected with a maximum particle size of 2 mm and consists of almost entirely of quartz with lesser amounts of quartzite, feldspars, and hematite/goethite.   

Any thoughts on what type of product/s to use would be greatly appreciated.  Cementitious overlays do not work bond well to carbonated paste.  So between high UV exposure, and water immersion up seven days at a time creates unique challenges



------------------------------
Kent McClure CSI, AIA
Principal Architect
Yielding Wakeford & McGee Architects
Albany GA
229-435-0036
------------------------------