We are pleased to report that on Monday, October 23, 2006, Trumbull Restoration Company completed the repairs to the church roof. The following work has been accomplished:
New Vermont slate tiles (expected life 125 years) were installed over the entire sanctuary, including the gable roof that extends west from the lantern to the skylight atop the chapel roof. All broken slate on the rest of the chapel roof was replaced with good slate removed from the sanctuary roof. All flashings, facias and gutters on both the sanctuary and the chapel building were replaced.
“Ice and water shield” was installed over all the wood roof deck surfaces that were exposed. The “ice and water shield” provides an additional waterproof membrane. Many parts of the old roof didn’t even have building paper on the deck. Therefore, we now have a better roof system than the 100 year old one.
All of the copper louvers, ridges, hips, flashings, facias and gutters were removed and replaced with lead-coated copper. The lead coating on the copper prevents staining of the slate and brick walls as the copper develops its patina. It also extends the life of the copper. All rain downspouts were connected to the new gutters and scuppers. Where the rain downspouts were missing they were added.
The Lantern was coated with a silicone membrane in 1973 to stop the many leaks at that time. Today there weren’t any major leaks in the Lantern but the membrane was badly eroded. It was quite thin in places. Now was time to recoat the Lantern.
The Lantern was power washed, holes in the copper facade patched and the rotted wood rain scuppers were rebuilt and clad with lead-coated copper. Then a new 3-coat waterproof membrane system by Preservation Products, Inc. was applied over all the copper surfaces and wood window frames, similar to the coating that was applied 33 years ago.
The four flat roof membrane systems; the parking lot entrance, the tower at Broad Street and the parking lot, the Broad Street and Stanwood Street entrance, and the Chapel entrance on Stanwood Street; were removed and replaced with solder-seam, lead-coated copper roofs. In addition, all four small push off access hatches to those roofs were replaced with larger spring-loaded Bilco access doors. With the larger openings normal people can access those roof areas for maintenance and can close the doors with ease.
Thank you to everyone who helped with this project. We are continuing to seek financial support to pay off the mortgage for this work and are very pleased by what has been accomplished thus far in restoring our church building.
ROOF REPAIRS COMPLETED