Sounds to me like you have good quality, well laid brownstone everywhere
EXCEPT that one column. That one appears to be face bedded and not of the
best quality for "this" installation. I have used consolidation with
Conservare chemicals (I can never remember which one specifically) from
ProSoCo which have held up well (about 8 years) on high relief detailed
carvings, have also patched with Mr. Edison's products about 15 years ago
(holding up well I might add), dutchmans, and replacements.

I typically try to retain the original in the current state if possible and
if you can continue to help maintain it - consolidants don't last long. But
in my opinion, depending on how deteriorated the stone is, I would recommend
replacement as the longest lasting "repair".

Please let us know which direction you go and why.

Thanks,

Eric Hammarberg
Associate Director of Preservation
Associate
LZA Technology
641 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10011-2014
Telephone: 917.661.8176 (Direct)
Mobile: 917.439.3537
Fax: 917.661.8177 (Direct)
email:  [log in to unmask]



-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Sunday, March 31, 2002 7:35 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Brownstone spalling


In a message dated 3/31/2002 7:01:04 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:




Does Brownstone need to breathe?



Mark,

I would say yes. Brownstone is fairly porous. This structure is interesting.
All of the pieces of brownstone are in good shape except for this one
column. The column in question is in horrible shape. There are literally
"sheets" of the stone that are ready to fall off. I guess this piece was
probably doomed the day it was mined 160+ years ago. I would also like to
get some idea of what it would cost to replace this piece. I will take some
measurements sometime today and post them.

Steve

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