August 9, 2011

Judge Michael Pritchett and circuit court clerks work in a leaky Butler County Courthouse. Containers are in various locations throughout his courtroom to catch the dripping water, and a computer must be covered with plastic to keep it dry. He told the Butler County Commission about the problem and requested repair work be done as soon as possible...

Judge Michael Pritchett and circuit court clerks work in a leaky Butler County Courthouse.

Containers are in various locations throughout his courtroom to catch the dripping water, and a computer must be covered with plastic to keep it dry.

He told the Butler County Commission about the problem and requested repair work be done as soon as possible.

"It has dripped for two weeks after it quit raining," Presiding Commissioner Ed Strenfel said last week.

He explained the leaks are caused by "water getting through the parapet walls and under the rubber roof."

"This was the consensus of three roofers who looked at the roof," Strenfel said.

Strenfel and the two associate commissioners, Jeff Darnell and Butch Anderson, decided to advertise for bids for courthouse repairs and waterproofing.

Tom's Tuckpointing of Corning, Ark., submitted the only bid of $53,600 and was awarded a contract by the commissioners.

Owner Tom Wilson said his workers will make all needed repairs and apply two coats of clear, siloxane type water repellant to the surfaces. The workers also will clean the walls with a pressure washer to ensure a positive bond of materials, repair the damaged Dryvit, apply an acrylic coating, cut old caulking from around windows and door and re-seal with urethane sealant.

"We expect to start in a couple of weeks," Wilson said. "It will take three weeks or so to complete the project."

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