The Oxfordshire-based contractor had to overcome a technical hitch caused by unsuitable fixings, as well as work around some sensitive inhabitants, to successfully install the single ply membrane to the three-storey building. But the team's efforts have now been rewarded by their winning the Single Ply prize at the annual Roofing Awards, held in Birmingham recently.
This impressive project saw the Owlsworth Roofing team refurbish the existing roof from cladding panel to Sika Sarnafil single ply with 20-year guarantee in order to stop severe and persistent water ingress.
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It was how to fix the G410-18EL and G410-15EL membrane in Light Grey to the existing roof deck with mechanical fastenings that presented the first problem for the Owlsworth Roofing team. As Peter Mably says: “The original specification was to use a tube/stainless steel screw combination, but pull-out tests subsequently proved that fixing into the upper skin of the existing panel would not meet wind uplift criteria. We worked closely with the fasteners manufacturer to find and implement the solution. This turned out to be pre-drilling through both skins of the composite panels and inserting peel rivets, which were secured to the underside of the panel.”
The second challenge was keeping the occupied building dry while the works were carried out. With the roof situated above a penthouse suite that had been particularly plagued by water leaks over years, Peter says that keeping the inhabitants dry and happy was a top priority.
"The penthouse residents were very concerned about further leaks throughout the works,” he adds. “So it was vital we made the roof watertight as quickly as possible. In total, over 4,000 fixings were used to fix the new system in place, but thanks to careful planning and sealing each area, section by section, as works progressed, not one single incidence of water entry was reported. To win at the Roofing Awards as a result is very satisfying."
