The Nepean Stirbruch closed in 1962, so her search led her to the municipality of St. Canut near Mirabel, Quebec.
“St. Canut is a related geological formation,” remarked Meek. “It is as close as possible to the original Nepean sandstone.”
Work on the facade of Center Block started in 2018 with drone surveys and exploratory probes in the wall behind the facade to evaluate their condition.
After that, the scaffolding behind protective tarpaulins and conservators started a stone-by-stone survey and examined the close-up of the facade in order to find surface damage or treacherous signs of deep structural deterioration.
Masons then did what they call as a rake and the old, worsening mortar away from the facade.
“The building has a few patchwork morputs over the years,” said Meek. “Now we make a holistic rehabilitation and take out the old stuff completely so that the new mortar, which goes back, is through continuity – the same strength and consistency – throughout the building.”
Maucers disassemble the sections of the facade as required and supports the brick support that forms the interior structure wall.
Then tackle the outer sandstone blocks, replace or repair on site, depending on the extent of the damage.
“A stone can be structurally affected by a fracture directly through the center,” said Meek. “Our conservators and consultants often suggest a replacement in this situation.”
Mädels replace the bed mortar, the matrix, which forms a stable and resistant bond between the stones, and then focus on showing and filling the gaps between stones with fresh mortar.
The building was surprisingly good up to a century.
“We expected to replace 15 to 20% of the stone,” said Meek. “In fact, less than 5% were replaced along the north side – and that is a particularly exposed face.”
“It speaks for the condition of the masonry.”
When the team occurs, follow a principle of minimal intervention.
It is about being thorough and respecting the history of the building.
“We try to keep as much cultural heritage as possible,” said Mr. Meek.