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joints should be repointed only when there is evidence of moisture problems, or when sufficient mortar is missing to allow water
<br />to stand in the mortar joint. Existing mortar shall be duplicated in composition, color, texture, joint size, method of application
<br />and joint profile. When repairing stucco, stucco mixture shall be used. A professional shall make a study of the old stucco, to
<br />determine the exact mixture and underlayment used in the original work. Some repair methods are not compatible with the
<br />original techniques and may cause early disintegration of the repair work and the original work. Ample ventilation must be
<br />afforded the structure when siding is installed, in order to prevent increased deterioration of the structure from moisture and
<br />insects.
<br />Recommended
<br />Whenever possible, the original building materials should be restored. When maintaining or repairing original siding is not
<br />feasible, aluminum, vinyl or composite siding may be used. When used over wood surfaces, this siding should be the same size
<br />and style as the original wood. Every effort should be made to retain the original trim around windows, doors, cornices, gables,
<br />eaves and other architectural features.
<br />Property owners should contact the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County prior to initiating
<br />any restoration or rehabilitation effort. [Address and contact information is listed in the front of the Guidebook.] The Commission
<br />is an invaluable source of information about all facets of rehabilitation and restoration — materials, methods, contractors and the
<br />like.
<br />Prohibited
<br />Wood siding shall not be resurfaced with new material that is inappropriate or was unavailable when the building was
<br />constructed, such as artificial stone, brick veneer, asbestos or asphalt shingles. Sandblasting or the use of harsh detergents shall
<br />not be used on masonry including brick, stucco, limestone, flagstone and sandstone. This method of cleaning erodes the surface
<br />material and accelerates deterioration. Repointing shall not be done with a mortar of high Portland cement content which can
<br />often create a bond that is stronger than the building material. Usage of Portland cement can cause deterioration as a result of the
<br />differing coefficient of expansion and porosity of the historic masonry unit and the mortar. This most often results in serious
<br />damage to adjacent brick. Unpainted masonry surfaces shall not be painted unless they had been painted originally. Paint shall
<br />not be removed from masonry surfaces by any means that damage the surface.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />Waterproof or water repellent coatings or surface consolidation treatments should not be used on masonry surfaces unless
<br />required to solve a specific problem that has been studied and identified. Coatings are frequently unnecessary and expensive, and
<br />can accelerate deterioration of the masonry. Mortar joints, which do not need repointing, should not be repointed. Wood siding
<br />should not be power -washed.
<br />C. WINDOWS AND DOORS
<br />Window and door frames are in most cases wood and vary depending upon the style of the home. Many are double -hung
<br />windows with wood trim and sills. Brick structures have stone sills and brick lintels. In some cases where aluminum siding has
<br />been applied, the window and door trim has been covered. About half of the structures in the district have aluminum storm
<br />windows; the other half have wood storm windows.
<br />Required
<br />Original windows and doors shall be retained including sashes, lintels, sills, shutters, decorative glass, pediments, hoods and
<br />hardware. When deteriorated beyond repair, they shall be replaced with units and trim resembling the original.
<br />Recommended
<br />Wood storm windows and doors painted or finished to match the original should be used but should not damage existing frames.
<br />If new sashes or doors are installed, the existing or original materials, design and hardware should be used. When metal storm
<br />doors are used, they should be painted, anodized or coated to match the existing. When awnings are used, they should be of
<br />canvas material.
<br />Prohibited
<br />Original doors, windows and hardware shall not be discarded when they can be restored and reused in place. New window and
<br />door openings, which would alter the scale and proportion of the building may not be introduced. Inappropriate new window and
<br />door features such as metal, vinyl or fiberglass awnings, hoods or aluminum insulating glass combinations that require removal
<br />of original windows and doors, shall not be installed.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />Fake shutters that would detract from the existing character or appearance of the building should not be used.
<br />D. ENTRANCES, PORCHES AND STEPS
<br />Most houses in the district have either an open or enclosed porch across the front. Most porches have either hip or gabled roofs or
<br />are covered by the main roof of the house.
<br />Required
<br />When deteriorated beyond repair, existing or original porches, stoops, patios and steps, including handrails, balusters, columns,
<br />brackets, tiles and roof decorations, shall be retained or replaced by replicas of the same design or by a design more in keeping
<br />with the historic period of the structure. Porches and additions reflecting later architectural styles and which are important to the
<br />building's historical integrity shall be retained.
<br />Recommended
<br />When enclosing porches for heat conservation or for other reasons, it should be done in a manner that does not alter the
<br />architectural or historical character of the building.
<br />Prohibited
<br />Front porches, stoops, patios and steps that are important to the building's style and development shall not be altered or removed;
<br />if in need of replacement, see above Required section. See also Section IV B. Access for Handicapped or Disabled Persons.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />Ri
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