630 Salem Street, Malden Housing Authority, Malden, MA

Home to the Malden Housing Authority, this 10-story apartment building for the elderly and disabled, experienced severe deterioration of the balconies while exhibiting leakage throughout the exterior. The original detailing of the balconies was poor and allowed water to leak into the concrete and steel balcony structure. To significantly reduce repairs, we recommended cutting off the outboard 12” of the little used balconies and to reinforce the new edge with galvanized steel. This presented a new solid substrate for attachment of a new, low maintenance, railing system and balcony waterproof membrane. To address chronic leakage, we also reflashed over each balcony, cut in new – full height – control joint all the way through the brick, and replaced sealants over the entire exterior.

Over the course of many years, we also renovated the entire second floor to convert 12 living units to handicap accessibility, we installed a new canopy over the entrance from the parking area, and renovated the community room, office, and toilet rooms.