Local Expertise Helps Keep Aged Frederick Buildings in Top Condition

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO strives to clean up and restore historical structures in Frederick

SERVPRO Helps Inspect, Clean, and Repair Frederick Homes as Part of Water Damage Restoration

Frederick, MD, is an exceptional place for recreation and entertainment. The city is famous for its mountainous views and clustered spires. The term Clustered Spires was taken from Barbara Frietchie, a poem written by John Greenleaf Whitter, describing several church steeples in the historic downtown area. A trip to Church Street gives the curious visitors a chance to satiate their curiosity, explore the historical architecture, and also learn about the Christian roots of the town. 

Apart from soul nourishment, the churches also played another significant historical role for the residents' wellbeing when some, like the Evangelical Lutheran Church, were used as hospitals to treat the wounded people during The Civil War.  The ideological differences that sparked the war split even religious communities. For instance, the Evangelical Lutheran General Synod passed patriotic resolutions alienating some of its member Synods.  Apart from the churches, other historical sites played an even more prominent role during the civil war. 

• The Monocacy National Battlefield is one of the famous sites in which one of the most notable clashes happened during the civil war. On July 9th, 1864, the confederate and union forces fought the Battle of Monocacy Junction. The Confederate forces won their northernmost victory forcing the Union forces to retreat to Baltimore.
• The National Museum of Civil War Medicine located on East Patrick Street provides another glimpse into the conflict, including how some of the men such as those in the 16th New Hampshire unit avoided deaths on the battlefield, only to be ravaged by disease. There are over 1200 artifacts at the museum, which help illustrate the medical story and the era's technologies.

The Gateway to Western Maryland

Frederick County has five out of Maryland’s eighteen designated scenic roadways. The roads, more commonly referred to as byways, offer maximum convenience when exploring the area. They are also tourist destinations. The City of Frederick sits at the crossroad of two designated byways:

• The Historic National Road (US 40)
• Catoctin Mountain National Scenic Byway (US 15)

Through the roads, one can explore the Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, which stretches through 38 miles of Frederick County starting from Emmitsburg to the Point of Rocks. The area was put aside for the preservation of natural landscapes, among other things. Catoctin Mountain is one of the more fascinating sections in the area because of its ecological diversity. It is famous as the place “where U.S. presidents spend their vacation.” 

Another utility related to transport is the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal or the “Grand Old Ditch,” as it is more commonly known. The canal was mainly used in the transportation of coal using barges but was closed in 1924. Today, it is a hub of recreational activities, including bird-watching, biking, and mule-drawn barge rides. Frederick County’s section of the canal has some historical sites like the Catoctin Aqueduct and Monocacy Aqueduct. The Canal Quarters Lockhouses provide accommodation for those who may want to stay overnight along the canal and experience how life was in the past when it was a transportation hub. There are seven Lockhouses, each rehabilitated and furnished to depict a different period in the canal's history.

Historic and Hip Downtown

Apart from the vintage Lockhouses, one can also enjoy the architecture of yesteryears in the downtown area, which features antique shops, restaurants, and country inns. As Joe Adkins, one of the deputy directors of planning for the city, put it, “The downtown is real, and it goes back to the 1700s, 1800s. You cannot replicate that.”

The architectural footprint of the city has much to do with the dynamics when it was developing rather than the tastes of individual developers. The city was established in 1745 by German settlers who found the area highly fertile and therefore suitable for commercial agriculture. The grain produced in the area was also milled in town before transportation to other cities. The thriving agriculture attracted investors, entrepreneurs, farmers, and gentlemen. Various materials, including logs, stones, and bricks, were used to construct houses for the growing population. Brick emerged as the top utilized materials. In 1825 the county tax assessment revealed that 50.5% of the city's buildings were brick-made, unlike the surrounding areas' structures.

Even today, the brick houses are a common sight. However, building trends have diversified over the years, infusing vibrancy and modern trends into the city. Major stores such as the local Walmart Supercenter, Costco Wholesale, and specialty stores such as Party City feature current building trends.

How Does SERVPRO Help Frederick Residents Handle Water Damage Repair in Brick Houses?

Brick constructions are vulnerable to water damage because of rising dampness, especially when groundwater seeps from the bottom, leaving a tide line. Splashback is another problem, especially when raindrops beating against a wall soak into the mortar. Frederick residences made of brick construction require maintenance, proper cleaning, and quick repairs to deal with the natural water issues or accidental water spills in the house. SERVPRO makes it easier to accomplish these tasks by providing the skills and equipment needed for the tasks.

Limiting water exposure is a crucial step to ensure long-term results after restoration. Our SERVPRO technicians expedite water extraction in case of water spills by using high capacity pumps and extractors. In the exterior of the house, we check fixtures such as gutters to ensure they are not clogged, which would result in a cascade of water down the side of the building. Other vital steps include:

• Using moisture detection equipment to take moisture readings before and during drying processes to eliminate all excess moisture traces, thus stopping further deterioration.
• Combining different approaches such as using dehumidifiers and air movers simultaneously during the drying to quicken the process or manage the outcome.
• Checking the affected buildings' physical condition and notifying the owners in case other repair processes such as Tuckpointing and necessary.

SERVPRO of Frederick County manages water damage repair professionally, helping restore Frederick properties to their preloss state. Call (301) 662-1747 when you need assistance.