Wagoner County commissioners table courthouse roof repairs after dispute over moisture testing and scope

The Wagoner County Board of County Commissioners on March 13 voted to table further action on courthouse roof repairs and exterior waterproofing after a lengthy dispute between county staff, contractor representatives and the county—s hired consultant over moisture-testing methods, the condition of existing roofing layers and what work is needed to secure a manufacturer warranty.

The item, listed under old business as a progress update on county roof projects, drew repeated technical disagreements over whether surface moisture meters or penetrating (pronged) probes should be used to verify "entrapped moisture" in the existing roof assembly. Ed, the county—s consultant, said he used a Tramex surface moisture scanner and other nondestructive tools that indicated wet readings in some patched areas; county maintenance staff members and contractor representatives said openings made during a joint inspection showed no visible moisture.

Why it matters: the dispute affects whether previously completed repairs can be accepted, whether change orders are owed, whether a manufacturer will provide a warranty for the applied coating system, and whether the county must approve more extensive—and more expensive—remedial work.

Coun…