A leaky roof can be expensive to fix, as the Peachtree City Council learned recently.
The library roof in Peachtree City has experienced a large number of repairs due to leaks since it was replaced in 2005.
And while the total cost of $261,4170 to replace it again sounds questionable on the surface, there is much more to the story that makes the expenditure possibly tenable.
Community Services Director Jon Rorie at the March 7 meeting of the council gave an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the often-repaired roof. And in the end, council members voted to continue the matter for two weeks.
Rorie explained that the roof came with a warranty, but the installer subsequently went out of business. As for the manufacturers warranty, that is in place though it covers repairs but not full replacement. The problem with continuing leaks is exacerbated because the roof is flat, Rorie added.
“We could go after the manufacturer but we would still have to continue to patch the roof,” Rorie said.
And that is where the problem lies. The continued need for patching puts the library’s interior in a position of vulnerability where it runs the risk of damaging books and other library materials along with the interior of the building itself.
The bid by Rycars Construction, Inc. to replace the roof came in at $261,470, though $100,000 could be knocked off that price because city staff have secured a state grant to cover part of the cost. However, the grant award expires in June.
The council is expected to review the issue in the coming weeks.
