City consultants warn water intrusion, mortar failure threaten Hilltop building; short-term fixes recommended

Consultants told the Herington City Commission on Sept. 16 that water intrusion is the most urgent problem at the Hilltop building and auditorium, and recommended repointing brick mortar, improving roof drainage and addressing below-grade drainage before the structure suffers more extensive damage.

The consultants, identified at the meeting only as Julie and John, presented the findings of a recent condition assessment and described a mix of immediate, near-term and long-term needs. “The biggest enemy of an old building is water,” John said, describing how failing mortar and ponding on flat roof areas let moisture enter brick and masonry and accelerate freeze-thaw damage.

The report matters because the structure houses apartments, an auditorium and other public spaces that the city would like to keep in use. City staff said the report gives a “game plan” for prioritizing safety improvements and preserving a useful public venue while the commission evaluates budgets and possible contractors.

Consultants’ findings and recommendations

John and Julie told the commission that repointing — removing loose mortar from exterior joints and replacing it with stronger mortar at the exposed faces — is the priority to limit water entry. They said the worst areas are the unheated parapet walls and upper exterior masonry, where freeze-thaw cycles are…