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Steeple Service Details
Steeple Services
Premier Steeple Specialists for Over 45 Years
Leeland’s Inc. has the distinction of being one of the tri-state area's premier steeple specialists. When clients ask us to repair or refurbish their steeple, they can be assured that only the finest materials are used for their church restoration and steeple repair. We follow accepted construction procedures and manufacturing specifications. We also follow safety guidelines established by O.S.H.A.
Trust Our Highly-Trained Expert Craftsman
Leeland’s Inc. has carefully repaired and refurbished steeples for over 45 years. We draw on our church restoration experience when we work on your steeple. When complete, a Leeland’s steeple will not only enhance the appearance of your church, but will provide long-term moisture protection for generations to come.
TRUST THE EXPERTS. TRUST LEELAND'S.
We Offer a Full Range of Steeple and Church Restoration Services
Slate Steeple Repair and Replacement
Broken and disheveled slates on a steeple represent a serious safety hazard. Your steeple should be visually inspected annually, and thoroughly inspected every five years to see if steeple repair may be required.
The slate on this steeple repair project was removed. Reclaimed peach bottom slate was installed. A new copper ridge was installed. A copper ornament replicated to match the old tin ornament crowns this historic site in Reading, PA.
Notice the disheveled and broken slate. The steeple shown here was reset because the nails were failing. Steel nails that have rusted allow the slate to slide or tilt. Unchecked flashing leaks from deteriorated copper or rusted tin can cause deck and/or structural deterioration. Photos of the deck deterioration behind steeple finials are shown below.
This deteriorated deck was the direct result of the tin flashing rusting through. Because the steeple was not inspected periodically, this condition was allowed to exist for many years. A much simpler, preventative steeple repair might have saved time and money in the long-run.
Shingles
When the cost of re-roofing your church steeple is a factor, fiberglass shingles can provide a cost-effective solution by offering various colors, shades and textures. We take the same care in the installation of a shingle roof on your steeple as we do when performing a quality slate installation. We utilize 20oz copper flashy and secure each full shingle with 6 fasteners versus the standard 4 fasteners often used by other contractors.
Steeple Painting Services
When planning your steeple painting project, it’s wise to consider both the initial and long-term cost. The major portion of the cost is proportional to the preparation performed in removing the old paint, in repairing and sealing cracks and joints, and in addressing anomalies that are discovered.
No Shortcuts, Just a Job Done Right!
Many painters will take shortcuts by rough-scraping and spot priming and starting the finish coat all in the same day!
In contrast, our crew members will aggressively sand your wood using "Festool" mechanical sanders to capture the lead-based paint found on all older steeples.
We then moderately sand to transition any remaining paint before applying a full application of 100% linseed oil primer that will saturate the fibers of your wood and restore its natural oil that has been dried out over many years. Surface primers that dry and are ready to paint in an hour are a financial benefit to the contractor, but lack the long-term performance you deserve.
Finish coats are applied using the finest European paints made from 100% linseed oil. When finished, 100% linseed oil paint will never crack, peel, or blister. It will require only a light sanding when the paint is restored in future years, saving you money in the long run.
Gold Leafing
Nothing will highlight the appearance of your church steeple like 24 karat gold leafing on your steeple ornaments. Take a look at these amazing before and after images!
Brick Pointing, Preservation & Water Proofing
In the first photo a masonry preservative is being applied to protect the brick facing from moisture penetration in Lancaster, PA.
In the next photo open mortar joints have allowed moisture to penetrate a masonry wall in Ephrata, PA. If left untreated, trapped moisture will expand during freezing temperatures, breaking masonry joints. When temperatures warm, the hardened ice will revert back to its fluid state and continue to seep into the lower masonry joints, causing further damage.
Contact Leeland’s for all your waterproofing, brick pointing and preservation needs.
Ornamental Repair and Replacement
The ornament on your steeple is the crowning jewel. As in the photos of gold leafing, new copper ornaments shimmer in the sunlight. Intricate details displayed on your steeple are reminiscent of pointed cathedral ceilings and stained-glass windows.
See the slides featuring ornaments that we have replicated and fabricated to achieve long-lasting beauty!
Lightning Protection, Repair & Installation
Lightning rods are not a guarantee against lightning damage. They do, however, greatly reduce the risk. We install lightning rods carefully so that no nails are driven through slate or critical flashing areas. Existing lightning protection systems should be inspected regularly like this one in York, PA.
Carpentry & Millwork
Steeple Replacement
If your paint is chipping and fading, then your your steeple may require new
custom milled moldings
to resolve the problem. When repairs are delayed or not executed correctly, structural damage may be irreparable. The steeple may become vulnerable to high winds.
Don't Let This Happen to You!
During a heavy wind storm, a portion of the steeple in Richland, PA landed in the front yard. These photos show the project in various stages of rebuilding and reinstallation.
Steeple Removal May be Required
While removing deteriorated flashing for replacement in Stroudsburg, PA, we discovered considerable structural damage had occurred to the 12 x 12 oak corner posts.
At this point, steeple removal was the only safe option.
Steeple Structural Repair
Moisture entering from the ornament base flashings can make an inviting home for termites.
The entire top 16 feet of all 8 main ridge beams for the structure shown here were seriously damaged by termites. Persistent bell tower leaks caused the 12 x 12 oak beam to totally deteriorate in the center. 4 x 6 rafters were heavily damaged.
The solution included new 2 x 6 pressure treated boards that were sistered to each side and carriage-bolted together.
Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication
We offer extensive custom sheet metal fabrication services designed to provide long lasting beauty. Please see the projects below to get a sense of the range of our services.
Dormer Replacement
The first photo shows a dormer on a steeple in Petersburg, VA. The 4 vents required regular painting. The spacing on the upper louvers was historically designed. We created a durable lead-coated copper dormer to match the original.
The first photo shows a dormer on a steeple in Petersburg, VA. The 4 vents required regular painting. The spacing on the upper louvers was historically designed. We created a durable lead-coated copper dormer to match the original.
Flashings & Moldings
On this project in Reading, PA, we removed existing galvanized flashings. We replicated the moldings and panels using maintenance-free lead coated copper.
On this project in Reading, PA, we removed existing galvanized flashings. We replicated the moldings and panels using maintenance-free lead coated copper.
Cornices
On this project in Reading, PA, the deteriorated wood cornice was capped with white aluminum to eliminate the need for regular painting.
On this project in Reading, PA, the deteriorated wood cornice was capped with white aluminum to eliminate the need for regular painting.
Moldings & Dormers
The moldings and dormers were fabricated to match the original. The second photo shows the copper dormers and molding receiving their final cleaning.
The moldings and dormers were fabricated to match the original. The second photo shows the copper dormers and molding receiving their final cleaning.
Louvers Refabricated & Maintenance -Free
Old louvers in need of paint are shown on the left. The photo on the right shows louvers fabricated from 0.050 aluminum which are maintenance-free. The frame is to be covered in the future.
Old louvers in need of paint are shown on the left. The photo on the right shows louvers fabricated from 0.050 aluminum which are maintenance-free. The frame is to be covered in the future.
Nobody Knows Steeples Better.
Contact Us Today!
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Trusted Experts
Slate Roofing & Steeple Experts for Over 45 YearsTRUST THE EXPERTS. TRUST LEELAND'S.
Cofounders of the National Slate Association
TRUST THE EXPERTS. TRUST LEELAND'S.
Cofounders of the National Slate Association
888.927.5283
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