Church Roof and Grounds Project
For a number of years the roof in our church has been a problem in the wet weather. Remedial work was carried out but expert analysis confirmed that there was a big problem with the timber under the copper. Further analysis revealed that chipboard was used under the copper, and that this had rotted with moisture over the years. Given the wide span in the church roof, copper was used as the material on the roof when the church was built. It was decided earlier this year to replace the copper roof as well as the timber underneath. The new roof would have superior timber to withstand moisture as well as insulation and special roofing felt.
The second problem to be addressed was drainage in the church grounds where water ponding was occurring during periods of wet weather. Investigations revealed that many of the old clay pipes had collapsed and needed to be replaced. New kerbing and drainage of surface water was also required.
Thirdly, the paving around the church was regarded as being unsafe for pedestrians, with many old flagstones unstable and uneven. A new paved brick entrance to the Church is also incorporated in the works.
The project began in early September 2009 and the roofing part of the project was complete by the end of October 2009, thanks to the great spell of dry weather. The drainage and paving aspect of the project will be complete by Christmas 2010. The completed works promise to enhance our beautiful church and to the safety around the grounds also.
Despite the recession, our parishioners have been very generous and very supportive of this building project. Many thanks to all who have supported this major refurbishment through the weekly envelope collection and through the very successful Parish Draw in May 2009.
Concrete Beams & Columns
The repair schedule required to the concrete elements was necessitated by corrosion on the reinforcement, which had caused spawling and cracking of the concrete.
All the damaged areas both visible and latent were repaired.
The repair finish had to match, in as far as was practicable the existing concrete finish. The repair schedule also entailed cleaning all of the concrete surfaces and painting the surface with two coats of anti-carbonation paint.
Roof
The existing roof had a light gauge copper panel finish. A number of leaks were persistently manifesting on the internal of the Church over a number of years. Specialist Advice suggested that continually repairing these cracks was essentially a short-term solution and that such cracking was inevitably going to become more frequent in the future.
The option adopted was to re sheet the roof with a heavier gauge more traditional copper sheeting and the opportunity was also taken to insulate the roof and enhance the U Value of the Church.
All such works were undertaken to current standards as developed by the copper development association.
New Roof Finish
Carpark & External Works
The existing tar and chip car park surface was in poor condition and required upgrading works.
New Car Park Surface
A new tarmacadam overlay was installed and brick borders incorporated in delineate the Car Park Spaces.
The drainage was in need of total replacement as many of the existing drains had either collapsed or were totally blocked with silt.
New drainage channels were installed to enhance the discharge of Surface water.
An entire new External Public Lighting System was also installed.
Main Entrance
New Paved Entrance
The single greatest new intervention on the Church was the Paved Entrance from Rock Street to the Main Door of the Church. This paving was carefully chosen to ensure both longevity and aesthetic excellence.
A number of Flush Ground lights coupled with six Stainless Steel Flag Bearing Columns and Luminaries combine to give an entrance becoming of this Church.
Bronze Plaques
Thirteen bronze plaques detailing the life of St. Brendan are incorporated in the paving. For full details on these plaques please click here
Bollards
Landscaping
