The US Department of Veterans Affairs operates America’s largest integrated health care system with over 1,700 sites of care, serving 8.76 million veterans each year. Operating and maintaining such a large portfolio presents a significant financial challenge. In 2019 the Coleman-O’Neil Veterans’ Administration Medical Center, also known as Topeka VA Medical Center, needed to address some major repair issues on its roofs. Late that year, hospitals were seeing an uptick in patients due to the COVID-19 outbreak, making the sanitation, cleanliness, and expedience of the job exponentially more important.
The clear challenge was installing and repairing a new roof without disrupting the medical professionals and patients inside during the most strenuous time in recent medical history. JR & Co recommended a wind-vented system as a cost-effective alternative, reducing waste. When it came to the roof section above the Emergency Room, tearing off and re-roofing was not an option. Presented with this challenge, JR & Co used a urethane coating with an aliphatic topcoat to strengthen the failing system. For the remainder of the hospital, a tear-off and re-roof was the best option and was accomplished in a timely fashion. Crews were able to swiftly and quietly perform the full scope of work without any disturbance to the occupants below. The goals of the owner were met while being cost-effective and weather resistant. As a trusted contractor, JR & Co has continued to work with the VA on various other projects in their expansive healthcare system.
