JBH Northeast Corner Restoration

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Exterior of the John Brown House East side.

The John Brown House Northeast Corner Restoration Project addresses damage caused by malfunctioning gutters, which led to water infiltration, deteriorating exterior masonry, and failing interior plaster. To protect the building and preserve its historic integrity, the restoration involved three key steps: repairing the drainage system, repointing the stonework, and replastering the interior wall.

Discovery of the Water Issue

The need for restoration became clear after noticing several concerning signs of water damage. Inside, the plaster on the Northeast corner wall began bubbling and deteriorating, indicating moisture infiltration. On the exterior, the stone appeared darker, as if perpetually soaked, and green moss had built up along the masonry, suggesting prolonged exposure to excess moisture. These warning signs led to a closer investigation, revealing that malfunctioning gutters and downspouts were allowing water to seep into the structure, causing significant deterioration over time.

As seen in the video below, Patrick did a water test from the roof of the garage to see how the water was coming down from that roof. Due to the eavestrough tilting downwards, the water was pushing over the eavestrough onto the wall of the house. In addition, the downspout seal had come undone, causing water to leak out and onto the face of the house. This confirmed that the drainage issues were a key contributor to the ongoing deterioration.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/3ff553_9fffb5c3dcc74f548cc7776bb86ed59f/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Water test to determine the route cause of the water damage.

OG collector box design by late architect Peter Stokes.

Step I: Collection Boxes & Downspout Reproduction

The first step in the restoration focused on fixing the drainage issues that caused the water damage. The existing downspouts and eavestroughs were not functioning properly, allowing water to pool and seep into the masonry. As part of the solution, the original collector boxes, designed by architect Peter Stokes in the late 1900s, were faithfully reproduced.

These collector boxes not only serve a practical purpose in directing water away from the building but also maintain the historical integrity of the house. In addition, two new downspouts were installed, along with eavestrough brackets to prop up the tilting eavestrough and corner flashing to redirect water from the roof into the eavestrough. With the drainage system repaired, we could move forward with restoring the masonry.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/3ff553_b04d8cfe941b45b692a8a4bbf0d5251e/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Installing the left collection box into place.

Step II: Masonry Restoration

With the drainage system functioning properly, attention turned to the damaged masonry. Water infiltration had caused significant deterioration of the stone and mortar, which could eventually compromise the structural stability of the Northeast corner. To address this, the affected areas were carefully repointed using traditional limestone mortar.

Repointing helps reinforce the stonework while maintaining the building’s historic character. This step was crucial in ensuring the longevity of the restoration while preserving the craftsmanship of the original construction.

Heritage mason Ryan VanVelzen of VanVelzen Masonry Restoration led a few The Brown Homestead volunteers through a repointing lesson.

Step III: Interior Plaster Restoration

The final phase of the project involved repairing the interior plaster, which had failed due to prolonged water exposure. Large sections of plaster had become unstable, requiring careful removal and reapplication. Using historically appropriate materials and methods, the plaster was restored to match the original finish, ensuring both structural integrity and aesthetic continuity. Now, the interior wall is stable and protected from future moisture damage, completing the restoration of the Northeast corner.

By addressing the root cause of the damage and carefully restoring each affected element, the JBH Northeast Corner Restoration Project ensures that this historic structure remains protected for years to come. This project highlights the importance of proper maintenance in heritage conservation and the role traditional craftsmanship plays in preserving historic buildings.

What I learned from this project, in Patrick's words "it's always a drainage issue!"