New standing seam metal roofing being loaded onto the Vocational Education building on the Mendocino College Ukiah Campus. Photo by Ross Beck.

UKIAH – Mendocino College has begun the re-roofing of seven building on the main Ukiah Campus, financed by Measure W Bond funds.

Seven roofs, totaling 135,000 square feet, are having old cement tiles removed and new standing seam metal roofs installed.

The project, which began June 11, is approximately four weeks ahead of schedule and has a target completion date of Oct. 1. Once this project is completed, there will be no more cement tiles roofs at the Ukiah campus.

"The original cement tile roofing material was projected to last 40 years. However, the first signs of failure began to appear after 10 years," states Mike Adams, director of Facilities Planning.

"Most of the roofs have lasted 15-20 years,” Adams continued. “The cement tiles absorb moisture during the rainy season and then when freezing weather follows allowing small cracks to form resulting in higher moisture absorption. Over several years the tiles start to break down from the freezing and begin to leak. None of the original roofing contractors are currently in business. The new standing seam metal roofs are expected to last 50 years, and are better suited for this climate."

The $967,476 contract for the re-roof of seven buildings include the Child Care Center, Vocational Technical building, Physical Education complex and gymnasium, Fine Arts building, Agricultural Headhouse and Potting Shed.

Voters passed Measure W, the College's $67.5 million construction bond, last November.

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Removing cement-roofing tiles on the Center for the Visual and Performing Arts building on the Mendocino College Ukiah Campus. Photo by Ross Beck.