The lighthouse conservation and restoration is the process by which the structure of a beacon is preserved through detailed examination, cleaning, and replacement of the material. Given the variety of materials used to build lighthouses, various techniques and considerations are needed.
The lighthouse warns the visitors of the sea on the rocky beach nearby as well as to provide important navigation. The lighthouse also acts as a physical representation for maritime history and advancement. These historic buildings are prone to damage due to their location in rocky outcrops near the water, as well as severe weather events, and steadily rising sea levels. Given these conditions conservation and conservation efforts have increased.
Video Conservation and restoration of lighthouses
Eksterior
​​Ground
The soil consists of the land, the outbuildings, and the landscape where the lighthouse's property is located. The reason may also include buildings from other time periods as part of the cultural landscape. The types of buildings, their relationship to each other, their location throughout the property, the type of flora and their location, and the potential archaeological sites (if they have been identified), are all aspects related to lighthouses and history and should be considered during the conservation of the property.
The outer buildings tend to be damaged as they are often used for storage and are not maintained to the same standards as lighthouses. Former building repairs may have used cheap materials as temporary repairs. These materials often make the building unstable. Any building that remains intact and in its original location is historically important for the relationship and use of lighthouses. The materials, colors, and details all represent lighthouses when they are active and are often considered during the preservation process.
Coating
Paint
The exterior paint of the beacon is often used in colorful patterns to act as a day marker. Paint is also used to help protect the exterior structure of the beacon from wear and tear. The evidence of paint degradation includes crazing, cracking, peeling between mantle, blistering, and wrinkling. Improvements can be made through spot treatments or through complete replacement of paint. The original paint is made of tin and tends to be resistant to harsh conditions while still protecting the structure. The necessary use of the preservation of National Historic Preservation has proved difficult as they do not work well with the original materials of the lighthouse structure. Furthermore, salt in the air can cause severe chalking on the surface of the paint and cause premature latex paint product failure. Most painting projects should begin with the removal of the original base layer, followed by a thorough surface cleaning to remove impurities, then end with a complete structural repainting. Paint usually only lasts between five and eight years, depending on the lighthouse and conditions.
Plastering
Plastering has traditionally been used as a protective barrier on the outside of the lighthouse. The plastering consists of fine granular particles mixed together with the binder. The plastering composition has changed significantly over the years and may require laboratory analysis to determine the makeup. Most problems with plastering arise from prolonged contact with water or moisture breaking down the particle and binder structures. In addition, the plaster texture is susceptible to removal when irregular. As with most preservation, gentle surface cleaning can help remove dirt and impurities and impede further damage.
Iron
Iron is a popular material used in construction lighthouses. Some types of iron used include: cast iron, wrought iron, steel, galvanized iron, galvanized steel, and stainless steels. Cast iron is the most popular material because it is corrosion resistant and can be cast into many forms. Although the iron is sturdy it can be prone to damage through corrosion (oxidation, glavanic corrosion, and graphitization), weathering, and lack of manufacturing processes. Iron degradation is seen through pitting, cracks, erosion, rust, blistering, peeling, and scaling.
Preservation and iron recovery should be completed using the least invasive approach. Iron is strong but can be easily damaged by improper or rough procedures. "Many maintenance and repair techniques... especially those related to cleaning and painting, are potentially hazardous and should be done only by experienced and qualified workers using suitable task-protecting equipment.It may involve USCG engineers or architects, conservation architects, or building conservators who are familiar with the lighthouse preservation to assess the condition of the iron and prepare contract documents for its treatment. "
Masonry
The stone component of the lighthouse consists of brick and stone on the outside. Stone damage is mainly caused by water, salt accumulation, expansion and contraction, abrasion, poor ventilation, and inappropriate cleaning techniques (eg sandblasting). Masonry may show many signs of damage including: bulges, cracks, blooms, erosion, peeling, oblique or uneven slopes, mold or mildew, missing stones or bricks, condensation buildup, and blistering.
Masonry Cleaning
The basic preservation of illumination stone usually includes a gentle surface cleansing. The proper cleaning method is determined by the type of stone present in the building. Some cleaning methods include water, chemicals, and lasers. There are several methods of cleaning water. Immersion is a process in which couples experience prolonged exposure to drizzle water to remove impurities. Water wash using mild to moderate pressure water flow. Some washing water can use the addition of detergent to increase sewerage. Chemical cleansing is also an option, but it may be too hard depending on the order of stones. Chemical cleansers are acidic or alkaline. Cleaning of lasers is effective, mostly on smaller stone fields, but can be expensive. Sometimes, the lighthouse may be weatherproof by covering a brick wall with paint, stucco, or lime wash/lime; but only if this is historically accurate for the structure. Due to differences in materials and construction techniques, only experienced architectural conservatories should be contacted for conservation or restoration work.
Wood
Good wood is used for construction on the exterior or in combination with brick and/or iron pairs to build lighthouse components (eg ladders). The biggest cause for damage to wood in the lighthouse is from exposure to moisture. This exposure is usually a result of direct and prolonged exposure to damp conditions. Other causes for damage include pests, fungi, and insects. Some decomposition signs include cracks, bulging, holes, peeling paint, leaning on structures, gaps between joints, and exposed to bare wood.
Some complications of wood damage can be solved through tight seals around windows and doors, sewer systems, caulking of joints and joints, and sloping of decking of structures. Regular surface cleaning can also help to reduce the accumulated residue on the wood so as to extend usable life. The most common treatment for replacing degraded wood is to use a grafting technique in which new pieces of wood combine with the original wood feature. In severe cases, replacement of large quantities of goods may be required.
Maps Conservation and restoration of lighthouses
Interior
Most of the lighthouse interiors are simple in construction and decoration, unless used as part of the light keeper's residence. Most of the problems related to the interior of the lighthouse come from moisture, condensation, neglect, or inappropriate treatment. Solving the problem on the exterior is required first to protect the inside of the structure. Proper ventilation of the structure should be considered. The season and the geographical location of the lighthouse will determine the type and how often the air exchange should be conducted inside the lighthouse. According to the National Park Service "the absolute minimum air exchange for most mothballed lighthouses comprises one to four air exchanges every hour, one or two air exchange per hour in winter and often twice that amount in summer."
Lantern
The lantern is a large round glass structure, which houses the lens, which is located at the top of the lighthouse. This structure is made of many materials, especially glass, wood, and iron.
Any conservation or restoration process should be kept in mind that lanterns, ventilation holes, and lenses should not be blocked. Each replacement cup should be rated for wind standards that may occur at the top of the lighthouse.
Lens
Fresnel lenses were introduced for use in lighthouses around 1823. Generally, keeping the lens historically preserved, rather than restoration into periods, would reduce the stress on the lens and keep some of the story of the lens intact (eg glass chips documented in the light guard history record). It is important to consult a conservator before attempting conservation of the lens. Glass used to make the lens is often fragile and easy to crack. The lens glass etches easily from contact with oil or dust.
To secure the lens prism, calcium carbonate, lead, and linseed oil, called litharge, are used. If litharge deterioration is found, it is likely that the prism is not secured properly in the frame structure of the lens. If the litharge is white (carbonate lead), the material is mostly non-porous and may not be easily preserved, which means full litharge replacement is required. If the litharge present is orange-red (lead-oxide), it tends to be more porous and allows stabilization.
Initially, the lens was "floating in a mercury trough"; although this practice has been abandoned, mercury contamination may still exist in the area.
Cleaning the lens
Prism documentation usually begins by labeling all issues from the center of the prism, listed as number one, and then working out in sequence. The identification should indicate whether it is a prism up or down. Prisms are checked for a strong seat by gently tapping outside glass only. If there is a glass movement, the conservator is usually called before any work continues. If the glass is stable, the prism will be checked for particulates. If fine or non-abrasive particles are observed, soft cotton cloth moistened slightly with distilled water can be used to gently clean the surface. It is also possible to use denatured alcohol mixed with water to clean the glass. The solution will vary from lens to lens because each has a different glass composition. A conservator should be called if any obscure glass is found as this is a sign of glass damage.
In the past, regular polishing of brass securing the lens will occur. In preventive conservation, brass polishing tasks should not occur because they encourage the loss of the original material. Patina that develops over time also helps create a protective barrier around the brass.
Disaster planning
Lighthouses are inherently vulnerable to disasters because of their location. Disaster plans can help reduce some of the problems that occur during a disaster situation. Most disasters are linked to water but fires, earthquakes, and especially erosion can also be a cause. Disaster plans should be tailored to the disaster that is most likely to affect the location of the lighthouse; however, must take into account various types of disasters. Lighthouse properties and objects located therein must be thoroughly documented. Furthermore, full photo documentation of properties and collections can help with insurance claims and recovery. There should be a copy of these documents located on the lighthouse as well as a secondary location if they are not accessible at the lighthouse due to a disaster. Coordination with local authorities, such as police and firefighters, can be helpful during emergency situations. Ideally, files should be digitized and on paper.
Move the lighthouse
Strong winds and waves cause soil erosion around the lighthouse. Over a long period of time, the promontories that lighthouses normally built on can be eroded to the point where the security of the lighthouse is impacted. In extreme cases, lighthouses may need to be moved to new land to preserve the structure. There are four major lighthouse movements that have taken place in the United States: Block Island Southeast Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Sankaty Head Lighthouse, and Gay Head Lighthouse.
References
External links
- American Lighthouse Foundation
- Lighthouse Keeper Association
- The Great Lakes Lighthouse Keeper Association
- Community Conservation Lighthouse
- Resources for Conservation Customers of National Lighthouse Subscribers
- Coast Guard United States, Lighthips, Tenders & amp; Help more to the Navigation Subjects
- United States Lighthouse Directory
- World Lighthouse Society
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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