Restoration of Rotted Beams at Brevard High School in N.C.
Brevard High School is located near Ashville, North Carolina. Shortly before September 27, 2024, when Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage to large parts of Ashville, contractors began repairing several rotted glulam beams supporting the roofs of the school’s cafeteria and gymnasium buildings. Earlier that year Medlock & Associates Engineering had discovered dry rot inside the beams and open voids of missing wood in rotted-through areas near the steel “boot” brackets.
To rectify the damage, contractors used Restore-Rite’s 600ML dual cartridges of StrongBond Sealer and Filler with 22-oz. dual cartridge dispensing guns. When the static mixing nozzle was attached to each cartridge it automatically mixed the 2-part epoxy in a precise 1/1 ratio, and the desired amount of the mixture was released on demand with the dispensing gun.
Deep-penetrating StrongBond Sealer was applied to restore the structural strength of the wood in the beams and create a bonding surface for StrongBond Filler. Then the Filler was applied to reconstruct areas of missing wood and reconnect the beams back into the boot brackets. The exceptionally strong chemical bonding of the Sealer and Filler effectively sealed out moisture and insects, protecting the beams from future damage.
Restore-Rite’s solvent-free, rapid-curing StrongBond epoxies allowed the workers to complete the project a week and a half before Hurricane Helene swept through, ravaging parts of Ashville and western North Carolina. The repaired glulam beams did not suffer any damage.
Before
With all dry rot debris removed, the deterioration of the wooden beam and the voids of missing wood near the steel boot bracket were apparent.
After
Restored and painted glulam beam.
Project In Process:
01.
The soft, dry-rotted wood was removed with hand tools before applying StrongBond Sealer.
02.
The beam with the Sealer applied is ready for an application of Filler.
03.
StrongBond Filler was injected into forms (made of acrylic sheet and red vinyl duct tape) to replace the missing wood and reconnect the beam into the boot bracket.
04.
After the Filler cured, the forms were removed and the beam was ready to be sanded and painted.
05.
The restored and painted beam.
