Spray-on Patch Applied to Lenape Tech Roof
A view of the Lenape Tech carpentry wing roof (submitted photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
A temporary patch repair on Lenape Tech’s carpentry wing roof was completed and school personnel are anxiously awaiting to see if it lasts.
Facilities and Property Coordinator Curtis Fahlor updated Joint Operating Committee school board officials earlier this month that the crack “was growing daily,” causing a 3,000 square foot patch to be repaired.
Fahlor, who assisted Alleghany Construction with the spray-on repair, said some seams were as much as 15 feet long.
“In just that area, we pulled off almost 2,250 pounds of aggregate,” Fahlor said. “That goes to show you just how much weight we’re taking off the roof. That’s a terrible crack, and I want to see if it can withstand the fluctuation of the roof.”
That amounted to about 10 truckloads.
Fahlor also considered other rubber, pitch-style or liquid PVC systems before hearing about the current proposal. He said he “couldn’t find one” online commercial customer unhappy with the product, but will visit a customer that has utilized the product for 25 years in Pittsburgh and others in the surrounding areas that have had lasting products before work is ordered at Lenape Tech.
Administrative Director Dawn Kocher-Taylor said in August that the plan is to first repair the leak in the C wing as a “test run” to see if the product is working as advertised before Joint Operating Committee members discuss resurfacing the remainder of the roofs.
“If this holds it, I’m going to be impressed,” Fahlor concluded.
It would cost about $324,000 to repair both flat roofs
Resurfacing the remainder will take place no sooner than next summer.
The two flat roofs were last resurfaced last 10 years ago, with a warranty that lasted seven years. Normal warranties last about seven or eight years.
Further financial figures will be discussed by Joint Operating Committee members at future monthly meetings.
In other news, Kocher-Taylor explained a financial item Armstrong School District board directors approved at their regular meeting.
“NexTier (Bank) has approved a $500,000 revenue anticipation note and we’re in the process of getting the districts to sign the legal documents,” Kocher-Taylor said. “However, we will not draw money from that note unless it’s absolutely necessary.
“I believe at this time it’s not absolutely necessary – it’s there as a precaution so that we don’t end up in a situation where we can’t order supplies.”
The note would mature on June 30 – the end of the fiscal year – and carry a 1.25 percent interest rate if utilized.
Local News | jweaver September 28, 2015
