Preparation Meets Opportunity
Transformation of Enterprise School District’s Roof Amidst Challenges
by Melissa Hubbell, Marketing and Communications Manager, Duro-Last
Roman philosopher Seneca famously said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” By this definition, leaders at Palmer Roofing in Pendleton, Oregon, found themselves to be especially lucky when earning the bid to reroof Enterprise School District in Enterprise, Oregon. In reality, the Palmer team put in the work and made calculated decisions to be well prepared when the opportunity presented itself.
With a breathtaking view of the Wallowa Mountains in the distance, Enterprise School District serves as the educational foundation for more than 400 students from kindergarten through grade 12. For years, staff and administrators had been battling ongoing roof leaks in the aged TPO membrane before the problem became critical in 2021.
After securing bond funding to replace the roof, ongoing supply chain challenges and budget limitations pushed the project out from the original timeline and leaks continued to escalate. Approximately 40% of the roof system needed immediate repairs before the frigid winter months set in, so district leaders contracted for a roof coating to be applied as a temporary solution. Despite best efforts, the coating system ultimately failed, leaving the roofing system in desperate need of a long-term solution.
Leaders at Palmer Roofing knew the project would be going out for bid a second time and believed the Duro-Last X™ membrane from Duro-Last® was the ideal solution for Enterprise School District’s ongoing roof challenges. Before the bid process concluded, Palmer Roofing placed a material order with Duro-Last to ensure availability during the height of industry-wide material shortages. When the opportunity presented itself, the Palmer team was prepared.
“Supply chain delays were still a big challenge throughout the industry,” said Mike Boodt, Managing Partner of Palmer Roofing. “At the time, polyiso insulation had a minimum nine-month lead time. My thought was, even if I wasn’t the lowest bid, we would be the only contractor prepared to execute the project because we had the materials ready to go.”
Once awarded the bid, the Palmer team was able to get a full scope of the extensive deck and fascia repairs that had to be addressed before they could begin the new roof installation, the result of ongoing ponding water issues spanning more than 30% of the roof decks. They removed the aged roofing system down to the plywood and concrete deck before installing Duro-Last Vapor Barrier followed by tapered Duro-Guard® EPS and ISO insulation to meet new R30 code requirements. DEXcell® cover board was installed over the insulation for added durability before custom-cut 50 mil Duro-Last X membrane was attached using Duro-Bond® induction welding. Finally, edge details from EXCEPTIONAL® Metals were used along the perimeter to complete the installation.
“Timing was key on this project,” Boodt said. “The school district wanted the roof completed over the summer months when students weren’t in classes. We had a strict window to complete the installation so we put together a decent-sized crew, including myself, my wife, and my son, and got to work as soon as the bid was officially awarded.”
With a crew of 23 working ten-hour days, Palmer Roofing was able to keep the 100,000 sq.ft. project on track with the district’s timeline, despite battling multiple thunderstorms that halted work for a total of four days and limited lodging options in the small community. With one week to spare, the Palmer team completed the installation and delivered district leaders a Duro-Last 20-Year NDL warranty.
“The Palmer team approached this project with confidence because they had a manufacturer they could trust,” said Tim Hart, Duro-Last Vice President of Western Operations. “They trusted Duro-Last to deliver the materials they needed during the supply chain challenges and they trusted Duro-Last products to meet the school’s needs. After years of deteriorating roof conditions, the school no longer has to worry about leaks. It was definitely a rewarding project for everyone involved.”
