East Tower Clock Secured

Our final Phase 2 repairs were conducted “beyond the scenes.” Our East tower clock face needed securing. High up inside the tower, Joseph Gnazzo Company Inc. installed a stainless steel tie rod with sock anchors behind the clock face. An internal wall crack was also repaired with jet-cleaning, pointing and injection grouting.

East Tower Face Receives a “Facelift"

With the main East elevation now water-tight, and our buttress rebuilt, Joseph Gnazzo Company Inc. next tackled the East tower face. The wall directly under the tower’s East soffit had numerous areas of missing mortar, and bulging ashlar stone.

The bulging stones were secured with V1 port anchors inserted through circular holes cut through the ashlar.

The holes were then backfilled to blend in with the tower face.

East Elevation Undergoes Final Repointing

Phase 2 stonework repair continues as Joseph Gnazzo Company Inc. turns their attention back to the main East elevation. Here they are using a bucket lift to do spot repointing on all remaining areas of the East wall. Repointing is the process of renewing the pointing, which is the exterior part of mortar joints. Over time, weathering and decay cause voids in the joints between the granite blocks, allowable undesirable entrance of water. Repointing will ensure a water-tight exterior. As the new mortar ages over time, its color will blend in to match the older mortar.