Roof failures can cause a host of problems for maintenance and engineering managers in commercial and institutional facilities. Routine maintenance can help prolong the life of any roof, but sometimes roofs can not be maintained or repaired any longer. In such cases, managers often undertake a roof replacement or recovery, which can improve roof performance and hold down maintenance demands and costs, as well as headaches.
Consider the case of the Holliston, Mass, public library. Work on the library’s new roof has begun. The roof was installed in 1985, Leslie McDonnell, library director, says, and is being replaced, according to the MetroWest Daily News.
The library suffers from split gutters, and shingles have blown off. The last time the library experienced leaks was at least five years ago, McDonnell says, adding she wants to get ahead of the next leak.
“We’ve done some repairs over the years,” she says. “But we needed a new roof.” The project, which also includes a new, energy-efficient HVAC system, is priced at $190,000. The roof replacement itself is expected to take about three weeks.
The HVAC system will likely be installed in late September or early October, McDonnell says. The old air conditioning unit is working so far, she says, but it has failed in past years. McDonnell expects the new system will cut the town’s utility costs.
This Quick Read was submitted by Ryan Berlin, managing editor of Facility Maintenance Decisions.
