THIS IS AN UDPATE of a post from 2½ years ago, “Water Intrusion Under Front Steps — Not Yet Stopped,” in which I described a longstanding issue that has been progressively moving up our list of priorities, until it has become currently our most urgent one. The problem can be summed up like this:
During heavy rains, our historic sanctuary’s front steps leak water, which soaks the concrete substrate below the steps, which in turn drips water onto the ceiling of the rooms beneath it in the basement.
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Front steps at the 1948 dedication of our sanctuary.
(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.) |
Back in 2022, I was stymied regarding a long-term solution. Contractors had made various suggestions, none of which were practical (such as “rip out the sandstone, waterproof the substrate surface, and then reinstall the sandstone”).
Then in May of this year, I wrote about the problem again because I thought we were close to engaging a certain vendor who had touted a particular sealant called Creto DPS. On that basis, the board agreed to authorize this project “as funds become available.” Now, Creto DPS does seem to be a much better and more permanent sealant than what masonry contractors typically apply to flagstone. However, that vendor flaked out—which in hindsight is fortunate. Why? Because I have learned a lot since then. Now I am preparing to do things rather differently.
Perhaps I still have a lot to learn, yet it finally seems as though a resolution is at hand. The right combination of expertise, materials, and funding may be coming together. Below the jump, I discuss the first of the three steps involved.…
