02/08/08
A leak in the roof of Irwin Hall has led to two women being moved and the decision to replace the entire roof.
Irwin Hall Director Aphton Riley said two women were moved to Gessner Hall following a leak in the roof that caused several drips in the center section of the third floor.
Midwest Coatings came to Baker University earlier in the week to clean the roof and put a membrane roof on to temporarily repair the leak, which was allowing water into six rooms, Director of Physical Plant Gary Walbridge said.
“It’s a persistent leak that we’re going to have to replace the entire roof,” Walbridge said. “They seem to have slowed the leaks down a little bit. It’s still dripping in the laundry room.”
The snow, rain and extended cold weather has caused chipping where the roof drains connect to the roof, Walbridge said. The roof is scheduled to be replaced over the summer at a cost of $84,000.
Walbridge said the roof was still the original roof that Irwin was built with in the 1960s.
Associate Dean of Students Teresa Clounch said the leak was discovered when the hall staff came back after winter break and checked the rooms before the residents moved in and puddles of water were found.
Freshman Logan Gallardo noticed the leak in her room after she came back to her room Jan. 28 after a weekend away to find her sheets and comforter wet.
After reporting the mess to her resident assistant, Gallardo and her roommate were able to move to Gessner the next day.
Clounch said there was no significant damage, and no other women were planning to move because of the leak. If more rooms need to be emptied, students without a roommate will consolidate so the two roommates can continue to live together.