Solution

Towson United Methodist Church

Towson, MD

Service: Building Enclosure Investigation, Building Enclosure Rehabilitation

Market: Religious

Keywords: Concrete-Precast, Masonry-Brick, Preservation Technology , Roof Replacement, Roofing, Roofing, Steep-Sloped, Spire/Bell Tower, Water Leakage, Waterproofing

Client

Towson United Methodist Church

Completion

2015

Towson United Method Church was constructed in 1958 following the merger of Towson’s First and Second Methodist Churches. An impressive spire supported on the tower serves as the structure’s centerpiece. The church experienced ongoing water leakage at several locations, including the sanctuary, altar hallways, and tower. SGH investigated leakage and designed repairs at the sanctuary roof parapet, altar hallway roofs, and adjacent brick masonry walls. Subsequently, SGH investigated leakage and designed repairs for the tower, housing office space, storage areas, and cellular antennas.

Scope | Solutions

Our investigation included interior and exterior surveys, observations at exploratory openings to document concealed conditions, and water testing to determine leakage paths. SGH identified leakage at roofing, precast concrete panels, wood-framed windows, and masonry tower walls. We developed repair options and presented these to the Church Council for their consideration.

SGH developed a rehabilitation plan for the tower considering durability and the church’s desire to minimize future maintenance at the tower that is difficult to access. Highlights of our repair design include the following:

Removing and reinstalling the precast panels while keeping the steel-framed tower structure and spire above in place
Providing metal roofing at various stepbacks
Replacing deteriorated windows
Constructing a metal stud backup wall with waterproofing and through-wall flashing inboard of the precast panels
Waterproofing the concrete masonry behind the brick masonry cladding and reinforcing the concrete masonry to act as a backup wall

As part of our efforts, SGH worked closely with a cellular service provider to ensure the new windows would not negatively affect the performance of cellular antennas housed within the tower.

Project Contact(s)

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger

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Towson United Methodist Church

Client

Completion

Scope | Solutions

Project Contact(s)

Joseph Rogers