It was Day 73 of the Covid-19 Lockdown. The days were sunny and hot this
week. So, any painting up on the Church’s roof would need to be done early in
the morning. I was on the roof of the Parish Hall painting the hall’s heating and
cooling system’s gas line yellow by 7:00 a.m. Once the gas line was painted, it
was up to the main roof of this old Church to paint the boiler’s chimney black with
a high-gloss alkyd rust paint. The last time this chimney was painted was when
the roof was done back in 1999. While on the roof with the black paint, it was
time to paint the boiler room’s fresh air intake stack and the adjacent exhaust
vent. Over the second floor’s kitchenette, there is a small exhaust vent. It too was
in need of some refinishing. So, it received a fresh coat of the black rust paint as
well.
It’s been nearly 21 years since the Church’s roof was renovated and upgraded.
For its age, the roof is holding up pretty well. Sure. There are some areas that
will need some attention in time, but, that is totally understandable. Our Canadian
winters can be harsh at times.
In the second floor’s kitchenette ceiling, you could tell that some water from roof
above was coming in. But where? While on the roof, I found a few cracks within
the aged caulking of the second floor’s air conditioner’s pitch pocket. The pitch
pocket is where the electrical wiring and the condensate lines pass through the
roof. Thankfully, I had a can of black roof sealant on hand at this old Church to
seal the pitch pocket. Hopefully, this will resolve the water leak above the
kitchenette.
Stay safe. Stay well. Stay connected. And, until next time, this is Michael Pollard
for This old Church of Ours.