Characterization of surfacing on exteriors and identification of pathologies in San Francisco de Paula (Pelotas/Rio Grande del Sud, Brasil)

San Francisco de Paula Cathedral, a nineteenth century neoclassical building, epitomizes the ballooning population and thriving economy that prevailed in Brazil at the time. Ever since its construction in 1813 under an initiative of Felfcio da Costa Pereira and donor Antonio Francisco de los Angeles (Almanaque Pelotas, 1914; p. 176), it underwent enlargements, changes and remodelling. It acquired its present appearance in 1948, when the outside walls were surfaced with a blend of cement, sand and isinglass, locally known as 'combed cement'. That surfacing is presently in the process of maintenance and restoration. In light of the scant and incipient literature on the subject, a study was conducted prior to rehabilitation to analyze the construction system used in the building, characterize the surfacing both physically and chemically, and identify visible pathologies.