Stone Masons Commence Mortar InjectionThe mortar injection process has commenced in interior sections of the mill, including, but not limited to, areas in the vicinity of window openings. This work is being accomplished by Adam Sheehan and Mike Zimmerman of Cresthill Stoneworks of Marshall, Virginia.This process will correct some of the damage done as a result of the 1998 fire. The heat of the fire, followed by cold quenching of the water used to put out the flames, caused some stress fractures in some of the stones and erosion of mortar.
 View of Fractured Stone and Eroded Mortar The process includes checking for stability around the lintel areas of the window openings and injecting mortar. The deeper mortar between the rocks is known as bedding mortar with that nearer the surface denoted as pointing mortar. The pointing mortar provides some protection for the bedding mortar. When called for, additional small stones may be added to further enhance the stability of areas being injected. Instead of emulating the formulation of the original lime mortar which was used in the construction of the mill, a state-of-the art mortar will be used. At the time of construction of buildings such as this one, the formulation of mortars was more often dependent on materials that were then available. As the engineering of mortars is now better understood, better formulations are available which will provide for longer term structural integrity of this stabilization effort. The source for the mortar is Virginia Lime Works of Monroe, Virginia. As this process is being done, consideration will be given to the proper construction and placement of the window lintels
 Upper Interior Levels of the Mill Where Mortar Injection is Currently Taking Place Photo Credit: Earl Douple Dennis Van Derlaske
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First posted Jun 6, 1007 Last update Jan 25, 2020 |