SCOPE OF THE WORK:

The property’s aging façade showed extensive deterioration common in historic masonry and wood construction. Our team performed carpentry repairs, updated deteriorated caulking, addressed necessary tuckpointing, and completed surface preparation including priming before applying premium exterior coatings.

The work was executed with an emphasis on maintaining the architectural integrity of the structure while improving its overall protection and appearance for continued commercial use.

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES:

Elevated exterior work required the use of extended ladders and boom lifts to safely reach upper elevations, rooflines, and detailed architectural areas.

In addition to carpentry repairs and priming, the project included tuckpointing – a restoration technique used to repair deteriorating mortar joints between bricks. Over time, weather exposure causes mortar to crack, loosen, or erode, which can allow moisture to penetrate the structure. Our team carefully removed failing mortar and replaced it with new, durable material matched to the existing joints.

This process helps maintain structural stability, prevent water intrusion, and preserve the historic brickwork for years to come. Premium exterior coatings were then applied to protect the refreshed surfaces and withstand Detroit’s seasonal weather conditions.

CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS:

As a historic landmark, the building presented a variety of access and safety obstacles, particularly around aging brick walls and roofline features. The crew utilized both lifts and ladders to safely reach elevated areas throughout the project. At one point, a neighboring brick wall collapsed onto one of our ladders while crew members were working above – a serious hazard that required immediate reassessment of access points and reinforced safety protocols.

Despite these challenges, the project remained on schedule without compromising craftsmanship or structural preservation.