The Mortar Graveyard
Leland R. S. Torrence
Leland Torrence Enterprises and the Guild
17 Vernon Court, Woodbridge, CT 06525
Office: 203-397-8505
Fax: 203-389-7516
Mobile: 203-981-4004
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
www.LelandTorrenceEnterprises.com
-----Original Message-----
From: plz practice conservation of histo presto eye blinks
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David West
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 2:17 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [BP] Spec Mix
Now what would be really interesting to me is if all those mortar
analyses could be brought together on a single database, along with
details of the masonry materials in the wall around them, the geographic
location, and the approximate date of construction.
Then we wouldn't necessarily need analyses for every building, because
we might be able to see patterns in the types of mortar, binders and
aggregates used in different locations for particular types of masonry.
And then again we might not!
David West
Executive Director
internationalconservationservices
T: +61 (2) 9417 3311
M: +61 (411) 692 696
conservation&managementofculturalmaterial
-----Original Message-----
From: plz practice conservation of histo presto eye blinks
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gabriel
Orgrease
Sent: Tuesday, 15 January 2008 2:22 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [BP] Spec Mix
John Walsh wrote:
> Finally, while I am obviously biased, I have to disagree that there is
a time and season for a mortar analysis.
John,
I do love to ask for and recommend a mortar analysis. Though when I wear
the contractor hat that opportunity is rare as I am usually at the end
where the specs were already made and they are then handed to me to bid.
I suspect time and season has to also be associated with place. I am not
sure exactly how many masonry buildings there are in the NY metro area
though I have heard quoted that there are 20,000 historic structures.
Who counts I don't know.
If a mortar analysis were done for every building that gets repointed in
NY it would make for a career right there to keep up with all the
demand. And there are a whole hell of a lot of architects here who fancy
they can get into historic work that have no clue about historic work
let alone a mortar analysis. As well as we have plenty of Restoration
contractors who are no more qualified than the sign painted on the side
of their van. Simply for practical reasons there needs to be a criteria
of selection where this building needs it, and on this building over
here it is not so important, because, frankly, there are a whole lot of
buildings that will be repointed and never get a mortar analysis. They
may never get an architect, either. If as an informed collective the
preservation industry can manage to hold the tide to do the right thing,
including a mortar analysis for what can more-or-less be agreed by
enough interested folks is a structure of cultural significance it is,
at least in the NY area, a valiant and often frustrated effort. Or
another way to put that is when all you have is one battle after another
and you are surrounded by battles that you don't even want anything to
do with then you need to pick your way through to only fight the ones
that you care about or have an opportunity to think to win. Otherwise we
can get et up and spit out in short order.
][<en
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To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
<http://listserv.icors.org/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>
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To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
<http://listserv.icors.org/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>
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