Venting skylights in the sanctuary (Speculation)

YESTERDAY I HEARD a suggestion that venting skylights be installed in the sanctuary. This idea has great potential, so I have been mulling it over.

For illustration purposes only

Timing is critical. Because the roof membrane (surface) is slated to be re-covered relatively soon—summer 2025—this idea warrants immediate attention. If it were to be implemented at all, the skylights would need to be installed as the new membrane is applied.

To make that happen timely, someone would need to jump on this project right away.

Below the jump, this post briefly explores the venting skylight idea.…

Recurring vertical cracks in south wall (Condition Record)

There are three vertically oriented cracks on the interior south wall of our historic sanctuary. Each of them has distinctive characteristics, so they may well be from different causes.

Our painting contractor has offered to patch and cover over these cracks, which he considers to be relatively trivial work. That is likely to be done this month. [Yes, done on 11/22. —DS] We both expect that the cracks will recur. Yet without a better understanding of their cause, periodic patching seems to be the best we can do.

Below the jump, this post documents the nature of the cracks.

Completion and maintenance of south wall waterproofing project (Activity Report)

ON OCTOBER 29, our waterproofing contractor for the sanctuary’s south wall tied up the last remaining loose end, in the project it had begun the previous summer. It did so in conjunction with its annual maintenance visit. At least, the south wall project is complete!

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Below the jump, this post documents both aspects: the waterproofing installation, and the maintenance.…