Repoint the rectory foundation coursing at Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston (2026-07-20)

The rectory next to the Church of Saints Peter and Paul has ground-level foundation mortar joints that have crumbled from decades of Maine freeze-thaw cycles, letting moisture track into the stone. The parish has invited a mason-trained crew to repoint the visible ground-level coursing. This is the advanced rung of the parish stewardship series, capping the weatherstripping and fixture work already done. Standard: LBC (Living Building Challenge) Materials petal envelope-maintenance practice Proof: Before and after photos of the repointed section plus a GPS tag and cure-date log. Method (LBC (Living Building Challenge) Materials petal envelope-maintenance practice): 1. Inspect the ground-level mortar joints and mark every section with crumbling or missing mortar. 2. Rake out the failed mortar to a consistent depth using hand tools. 3. Mix a mortar batch matched to the original in strength and color. 4. Pack the new mortar into the joints and tool it to match the surrounding profile. 5. Cure and photograph the repointed section once set. Done when: Before and after photos of the repointed section plus a GPS tag and cure-date log.

Where

Rectory, 20 Bartlett St, Lewiston, ME 04240

Pay

$480 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

Before and after photos of the repointed section plus a GPS tag and cure-date log.

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

advanced

Open until

2026-08-19

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 90–180 minutes. Method of record: Ground-level mortar-joint repointing on a rowhouse brick facade or water table, per NPS Preservation Brief 2 (Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings)

Bring

• masonry chisel + hammer or grinder with dust-control shroud (joint raking)
• mortar matched to the original mix/color + pointing trowel + tuck pointer
• water brush + mixing bucket
• camera + tape measure

Steps

1. 1. ASSESS: photograph the failing joints and measure the extent; confirm the work is reachable from the ground or a short step stool (no scaffold, no work above 6 ft) and that the mortar type is compatible with the original masonry (avoid hard portland-cement mortar on soft historic brick).
2. 2. Rake out the failed mortar to a consistent depth (roughly 2-2.5x the joint width) without damaging the brick edges; brush and dampen the joint.
3. 3. Pack and tool the matched mortar into the joint in lifts, matching the original joint profile and color.
4. 4. Cure per spec (mist and protect from rapid drying) and photograph the finished joints from the same before vantage.

If it does not match the plan

• Any work that would require scaffold or reach above 6 ft -> STOP; name the licensed masonry-crew job instead.
• Structural cracking (not just failed mortar) or a bulging/leaning wythe -> STOP, route to a structural assessor before repointing.

What counts as done

• Repointed joints match the original profile, width and (as closely as sourced) color
• No hard/incompatible mortar used on historic soft brick
• Before/after photos from a matching vantage
• Work stayed at or below reachable ground-level height — no scaffold used

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.