Within the heart of Tacoma, Washington is the city’s 120-year-old Old City Hall, which many locals define as iconic due to its architectural and cultural significance. Despite flooding, fire, and the recent recession, the Old City Hall and its clock tower still stand today. On the other hand, unless the local government takes decisive action, it may not remain standing for long.
According to a report that appeared on The News Tribune, the Old City Hall’s roof is on the verge of failing—forcing city officials to label the building as dangerous. Just like Tacoma, the city of Tampa in Florida has many buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, and these buildings will need regular inspections and repairs to avoid becoming derelict. Building owners can contact companies that specialize in commercial and residential roof repair in Tampa, like Arry’s Roofing, to avoid similar problems.
By declaring the Old City Hall as dangerous, the city can seek an order from the Office of the Hearing Examiner, which in turn allows the city to complete the repair work itself. As building owners may lack the funds to initiate repairs on their own, this move ensures that repair work is accomplished as soon as possible. While the Old City Hall is no longer a local government building, the current owner agreed to have the copper roofing repaired.
The repair order will tackle other non-roofing issues in the building, as the entire structure has been slated for a complete renovation. Moreover, Tacoma city officials want to complete the repair work before winter, as they can’t risk the roof sustaining any more water damage. This is a good move, given that winter will pose a different set of problems for the roofing system.
During winter, the weight of packed snow may put undue stress on roofing systems, increasing the likelihood of roof collapses. Homeowners with severely damaged roofs should avoid postponing inspections and repairs, as water may seep into small cracks, staining the ceilings and weakening the trusses. Tacoma residents are concerned about the future of their beloved Old City Hall, as the city already lost one historic building, which was declared derelict and demolished in 2009.
Licensed and experienced roofers from companies like Arry’s Roofing can perform free inspections, and will determine if their clients need roof replacements or roof repair in Tampa, FL based on gathered facts rather than speculation. These roofers will examine trouble spots like chimneys, plumbing vents, and shingles. They may also examine attics and top floors to pinpoint any signs of water entry.
Many of today’s preferred roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles, don’t last as long as copper roofs. While copper roofs have an average lifespan of 100 years, asphalt shingles have lifespans ranging from 20 to 35 years. The local climate and inclement weather may cause asphalt shingles to deteriorate faster, which is why contacting roofers to perform periodic inspections and repairs is so vital to preventing structural failure.
