During 2005, Fran Gale and Courtney Murdock provided consulting services on an historic county courthouse in south central Kansas. In late August, they met with the Architect and County representatives to discuss exterior restoration of the courthouse and project goals.
Constructed in 1888, the local limestone of the courthouse exterior is now deteriorated in some locations. After reviewing background information about the project, Gale and Murdock assessed conditions of exterior limestone. The report of their inspection described the extent and severity of biological growth, surface erosion, losses, cracks and old repair work. Several sources of deterioration were identified, including environmental phenomena such as acid rain and design issues that have resulted in moisture retention.
As a follow up to the site visit, Murdock conducted laboratory tests on samples of exterior limestone of the Courthouse. These tests determined physical and chemical properties of the limestone and evaluated conservation treatments that will stabilize deterioration and provide protectiion from future damage. Recommendations for the project were based on the on-site inspection and the results of lab testing.
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