RestoreWorks Completes Masonry Restoration at St. Casimir School
Preserving History and Protecting the Future in Hammond, IN
St. Casimir School in Hammond, Indiana has been a cornerstone of the community for over 120 years. Founded in 1901, the school has provided generations of students with a quality Catholic education in a historic building that is a testament to the area's rich heritage.
To ensure this architectural gem continues to serve students well into the future, St. Casimir School partnered with RestoreWorks, Chicago's premier masonry restoration contractor, to complete critical building envelope repairs. The multi-month project focused on restoring the brick facade and replacing aging windows to improve the building's structural integrity and energy efficiency.
The Importance of Masonry Restoration
Masonry buildings, like St. Casimir School, are incredibly durable but not immune to the effects of time and exposure to the elements. Over decades, mortar joints deteriorate, and bricks can crack or spall, allowing moisture to penetrate the building envelope. If left unaddressed, these issues can lead to more serious structural problems and compromise the building's weather-tightness.
RestoreWorks began the project with a thorough assessment of the building's exterior masonry. They found deteriorated mortar joints and damaged bricks that required attention to prevent further decay. To address this, RestoreWorks performed comprehensive tuckpointing, carefully removing damaged mortar and replacing it with new color-matched mortar for a seamless repair. Cracked and spalled bricks were also strategically removed and replaced to restore the facade's integrity.
In addition to the brickwork, RestoreWorks removed old, failing caulking and sealant around the coping stones and replaced it with new high-performance sealant. This critical step helps prevent moisture infiltration at the top of the walls, protecting the restored masonry and building interior.
Improving Energy Efficiency with New Windows
The original windows at St. Casimir School had served the building well but were due for an upgrade. RestoreWorks carefully removed the old windows and installed new, custom-sized, energy-efficient units in their place. The new windows feature insulated glass and thermally-broken frames to reduce heat transfer and improve occupant comfort.
Proper flashing and sealing around the new windows was critical to integrating them with the restored masonry facade. RestoreWorks followed industry best-practices, installing redundant flashing systems and high-quality sealants to create a weather-tight barrier. The result is a fully-integrated, high-performance building envelope that will protect the school for decades to come.
Minimizing Disruption
With students to serve and classes to teach, minimizing disruption during the restoration project was a top priority. RestoreWorks worked closely with school administrators to carefully phase and schedule work to avoid interfering with day-to-day operations. The building was s completed in stages, with noisy or disruptive tasks scheduled around class times.
"RestoreWorks demonstrated true craftsmanship and professionalism throughout this complex restoration project," said Don Zuidema, CEO of RestoreWorks. "Our team's attention to detail and experience with historic structures allowed us to deliver exceptional results while being sensitive to the unique needs of an occupied school building. We're honored to have played a role in preserving this important piece of Hammond's history for future generations."
Trust the Masonry Restoration Experts
St. Casimir School's masonry restoration showcases RestoreWorks' specialized expertise in historic preservation and working with occupied structures like schools and religious institutions. With decades of experience restoring some of the most recognizable buildings in the Chicago area, RestoreWorks offers unmatched capabilities in all facets of masonry restoration.
If you have a historic structure in need of masonry repair or restoration, trust the experts at RestoreWorks. Call us to learn more about our services and schedule a consultation.
