Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania, has long been recognized for its commitment to academic excellence and community impact. Founded in 1856, the college has undergone its fair share of renovations. Recently, it came time to address the aging roof of their Student Center. The college was eager to find a durable, cost-effective solution that could extend the life of their facilities without the high costs of full roof replacement. Partnering with Acrymax and C & D Waterproofing, the college began a restoration project that would restore its original grandeur while maintaining its facilities for years to come.
The Challenge
The EPDM roof of Albright’s Student Center was over twenty years old. Its manufacturer’s warranty had expired and it was experiencing problems typical of its age including minor leaks. There were problems at the seams and the EPDM roof membrane had experienced shrinkage and had begun to pull away from some of the curbs and walls.
Educational institutions across the country grapple with tightening budgets and dwindling resources, and the challenge of managing the costs associated with maintaining their facilities has become increasingly important. Albright needed a cost-effective roof coating that would still provide the long-term performance they desired.
The Acrymax Solution
Acrymax approached Albright with a compelling proposal. Restore the existing roof using the ARS-1-SP(XT) roof sealer specifically designed for EPDM roofs. This system is applied over the existing roof membrane creating a composite membrane with exceptional durability.
“We discovered issues on our student center roof as it was nearing its end of life. To be fiscally responsible and ensure we found the best solution, we became intrigued by Acrymax. After learning of their rich history and success with fellow institutions and their ability to sustain the existing roof indefinitely, it made our decision very clear.” – Rick O’Leary Director of Facilities Albright College.
In addition to supplying the high-quality materials required for the project, Acrymax also provided a list of highly qualified contractors to provide competitive bids. These certified contractors are uniquely equipped to ensure that Acrymax roof coating systems are installed with the utmost care and attention to detail.
Because of the leak history, IR scans were performed that showed only a few small areas of wet insulation that were replaced. After preparing the roof the first step in the installation was to cover the roof with Poly-1 Reinforcement embedded into and saturated with AF-130BC Basecoat. Two finish coats of AF-130XT High Strength Elastomeric Finish Coat were then applied to create the 45 mil fully-adhered membrane.
The Result
The roof of the Student Center no longer leaks and is fully protected with the Acrymax ARS-1-SP(XT) system. Albright saved money and now have a roof that can be sustained well into the future. Recoating in 10 years will extend the life of the system and allow the warranty to be renewed. This will provide the basis for sound Asset Management practices.
O’Leary stated that “The project was completed without a hitch. Everything Acrymax and C & D Waterproofing promised – they delivered. Of the many roofing projects I’ve been involved with, this just might have been the best one. We look forward to partnering with Acrymax on our next roofing system.”
