The Westminster Thurber Community is a 10-story, 158-unit hi-rise for seniors in Columbus, Ohio, originally constructed in the early 1960s as an upscale apartment building. Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services later acquired the property to operate as an independent living retirement community. Over time, the building's concrete surfaces accumulated the effects of weathering and heavy foot traffic: old adhesives, paint, and deteriorated coatings on walkways and decks were making the building look dated and beginning to compromise its surface integrity.
Graciano Corporation was engaged to modernize the building's exterior concrete and deck surfaces, restore their structural soundness, and deliver results that would be as maintenance-free as possible going forward. Graciano self-performed all of the work, completing the project in November 2001.
Scope of Work
Services Performed
- Removal of old glue, carpet, and paint from concrete surfaces
- Power washing of all concrete surfaces
- Repair of concrete spalls and delaminations
- Application of an elastomeric coating to vertical surfaces
- Application of a non-slip urethane pedestrian traffic system to horizontal surfaces
- Masonry cleaning and masonry surface rehabilitation
- Masonry repointing
- Flashings
- Partial-depth and full-depth concrete repair
- Sealants
Surface Preparation
Decades of wear had left the building's concrete decks and walkways covered in failed adhesives, paint, and deteriorated coatings. Graciano's crews performed thorough surface preparation, combining abrasive cleaning, sand blasting, acid washing, and power washing to remove all contaminating materials and expose sound concrete beneath. This preparation step is essential for achieving proper adhesion of new coatings and repair materials, and directly affects the service life of the finished work.
Spall and Delamination Repair
Where concrete spalling and delaminations were found on deck surfaces and vertical faces, Graciano performed both partial-depth and full-depth concrete repairs. Damaged material was removed, the repair area was prepared and primed, and polymer-modified mortar was applied in layers to restore profile. These repairs address the underlying causes of surface deterioration and prevent water from continuing to infiltrate and damage the reinforcing structure below.
Traffic Coating and Waterproofing
After surface preparation and repairs were complete, Graciano applied an elastomeric waterproofing coating to all vertical surfaces to seal against moisture infiltration. Horizontal walkway and deck surfaces received a non-slip urethane pedestrian traffic system, providing both waterproofing protection and a durable, slip-resistant wearing surface appropriate for a senior living facility. The result was a modernized building that met the client's goal of minimal ongoing maintenance.
About Graciano Corporation
Founded in 1916, Graciano Corporation is one of the oldest and most experienced masonry and concrete restoration firms in the United States. With offices in Pittsburgh, PA, New York, NY, and Florida, Graciano performs approximately 90% of all work in-house with its own skilled journeymen, bidding nationally on commercial, institutional, and municipal projects of all scales. The company is a WBENC-certified Woman Business Enterprise.