New roof isnt to blame for leaky library

FAIRBANKS During one of the rainiest summers in Fairbanks history, the mood was particularly damp last month at the Noel Wien Library.

Leaks above an entryway and the seating area in the main lobby were found in early July, resulting in the common sight of pails being strategically stationed in the Fairbanks North Star Boroughs main library.The puddles were concerning because the library is less than two years removed from a $2.4 million roof replacement, which was installed tostop chronic drips that frequently moistened bookshelves, carpets and customers.

But the diagnosis by the boroughs Facilities Services department brought relatively good news. The drips were traced back to skylights above the lobby, which are the only portion of the roof that wasnt replaced in 2012.

The skylights date back to the original 1977 construction at Noel Wien, said library director Mary Ellen Baker. Adding new flashing and tightening screws around the skylights has halted the leaks.

Its not a 100 percent fix, but its taken care of for now, said borough maintenance manager Don Sloan.

Borough maintenance personnel needed to do some minor repair work inside the library after the leaks, and a contractor was hired to patch the skylights. Sloan said he didnt know how much the repair work cost the borough hasnt received a bill from the contractor but said he didnt feel the price tag would be significant.

Sloan said he didnt know why the skylights werent included in the recent roofing replacement project.

This summer has been a good test for roof construction around Fairbanks its already the second-wettest summer ever recorded, with more than 11 inches of rain falling so far in June, July and early August.

Maintenance officials have had plenty of chances to see if the skylight repair worked, and noleaks have reemerged so far, Sloan said.

With this summer, its just been raining every single day, he said.

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New roof isnt to blame for leaky library