roofing
TOP TIPS
ROOF 4
formaking themost of your
56 1 2
Have amaInTenance Plan Iregularly visitresidential blockswhere there is either no plan in place or the existing plan does notinclude theroof. Theformeris shortsighted –roofs are, by definition, exposed to theelementsmorethanany otherpartof a building and, in time, they will incur prob- lems– fromloose tiles to significant leaks. The latter simply wastesmoney –becausethere are huge economies to be gained frominspect- ingandmaintaining your roof to minimise unnecessary or premature deterioration. An integratedapproach tomaintenancemakes complete sense, ensuring that your roof is checked regularly andmaintenance or re- placementiswellplanned.
ReadTHeguaRanTee It’s notthemost exciting tipyou’llever receivebut it is vitalthatyou adhere to thetermsandconditionofany guarantee for your roof. This is really only relevant inmodern buildings, butifyou treata roof inaway that ignores theguarantee, or if youignorethe termsofany guaran- tee, future defectsmay
notbecovered.For example, someroofs require regular in- spection during theguarantee
period.In thecaseofnew asphaltroofs,the asphalt usuallyrequirestreatingwithasolar reflectivepaintevery twoyears in order to maintainthe guarantee! Thoserespon- sible formanaging buildings are often un- awareofthe inspection andmain- tenance regimes
required fora newroof, and thereisarisk that theguar- anteewillnot be available when itmay be required.
cHeck ITOuT Aroofmaintenanceprogrammedoesn’tmean you can forget all aboutwhat’s going on up top. Structurally,itmeans youshouldbeingood shape, butitisimportant to keep an eyeonyour roof to side-step easy-to-avoid problems. On one recent site visitIwas called to ahugeleakona gently slopingflat roof in theCity. Theamount of watersuggested afundamental problem, but thepresenceofanempty champagne bottle floatingonits surfacesuggested themystery might have a simple solution. A little rummag- ingarounddid,indeed,revealadrainage hole blocked by two champagne corks! Leaves, sheets of paper and food wrap- ping can cause similar havoc. The lesson is simple: a quick and regular check of your roof and roof drain- agesystemscansaveamyriadof problemsin the longer-term.
ensure your roof is checked regularly
Someroofing products cancreate
replacement problems
3
FORgeTTHeFuTuRe There are all sorts of relatively inexpen- sive (and attractive-looking)roofproducts and solutions for roof repair and refur- bishment works. However, somecan cre- atemassive problemsgoingforwardwhen maintenanceorreplacement becomedue. Oneofthemany examplesisaprocess called turnerising; abudgetrepairwhere bitumenpaintandmeshingare applied over an existing roof.Pulling it up is a major job, and can create a domino effect of issues. Andatsomestage,the odds will be on you having to do just that.
neveR 5
Smallpuncture, big problem
PlymemBRaneS This is only onetypeofroofingsystem, butitisalwaysworth considering. Single plyorrubbermembraneshavemany advantages. They include lowcost and speed of installation.But there’sacatch. Even rubber-coatedroofs canleak. The problemistryingtodetectthatleak. Imagine asmall puncture in a large tyre that youcan only isolatebytestingitin water. Unfortunately, once youtest aroof in waterit’stoo
late.Atinyholeinaroof membrane,can sometimesbeevenmore costly than ahugeleak–aswater can seep-inslowly over time,creatingdamp andother nastysurprises!Singleply membranesare easily damaged, it is often difficulttolocate thesourceofaleakand comparatively, this type of roof is difficult to repair.
BewaRe OF SIngle Issue 15 Flat Living
✁
cuTOuTandkeeP
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68