After problems with water leaks and mildew last year, Irwin Hall has a new roof.
The roof was replaced this summer by Mid-America Coating and comes with a 20-year guarantee. The university spent about $93,000 on this project
The old roof consisted of two layers of tar paper, tar and one top layer of rock. It was also flat, which allowed pools of water to gather.
Gary Walbridge, director of the physical plant, said last year’s leaks were caused by the shrinking and expanding that is caused by winter weather. The fluctuation also caused the seal around the ventilation shaft from the bathrooms to break loose
The new roof is made of a mixture of rubber and Teflon. It also has a slight slope to prevent standing water.
Several students were forced to change rooms last year as a result of water damage. Some of these students are living in Irwin again this year as Resident Assistants.
RA Katie Mercer had to change rooms twice last school year as a result of water leaks.
“There was water on our floor when we tried to come back over interterm,” Mercer said
Some students claimed to have mold in their rooms. Walbridge said Irwin was tested by an outside agency, which tested negative for mold
“It was mildew,” Walbridge said. “In that building, we have a problem with single-pane windows. They’ll sweat and condensate on it, and we’ve coached the students who live there.
Walbridge said preventing mold in rooms takes an effort on the students’ part. He said the university provides water bottles with a bleach mixture and students have been coached to spray it on their windows to help keep them clean and free of mold.
No air purity tests have taken place since the replacement of the roof. However, several residents of Irwin claim major problems still exist
“Mold is everywhere. You can find it on the air-conditioners and in the bathrooms,” freshman Maria Barnett, a third floor resident of Irwin, said
Some students are concerned because although the roof was fixed, water came into their rooms through the walls and floor as well.
