Roof Surveys

Why would you need asbestos removal?

Commercial asbestos removal has become necessary over the last few years due to the extent that the material has been used within UK construction.

Asbestos was only fully banned in the UK construction industry in 1999 and so up until then was widely used in various construction projects – including roofs.

We offer an asbestos roof overcladding service that reduces the costly disposal of the existing asbestos roof sheeting that must be sent to licensed landfill.

However, if your roof is beyond repair and needs to be completely replaced then you may need to have the asbestos removed rather than having overcladding.

If you have a particularly old roof that has started to degrade it can become an issue as hazardous materials can enter the environment causing potential harm to anyone nearby. So you would need to call upon a specialist such as NWIR, to take a look at your roof and assess the situation.

What does asbestos removal involve?

We were approached to look at a small office premises where the building had an aged asbestos roof covering. Problems were occurring because the existing roof covering was allowing water ingress into the tenanted building below.

After doing a thorough site survey it was determined that the 1200 square metre roof was beyond economic repair and it was necessary to improve the thermal efficiency of the building.

Keeping the site live, our roofing specialists stripped off all of the existing asbestos roof covering and safely disposed of it. As part of our complete service, we ensure all asbestos containing material is removed from the site.

We then installed a new twin skin insulated roof covering. 

This was all completed with minimum disruption to the surrounding environment and the client was “very impressed” with the entire project.

How much does asbestos removal cost?

The cost of asbestos removal would be very much dependent on the size of your roof, the amount of asbestos you have and the method we’d need to use to get your roof working safely and properly.

If you suspect your roof contains asbestos, acting sooner rather than later is the best course of action.We offer free site surveys which you can arrange through our friendly team. Simply call us on 0800 046 1500.

Roof leaks are just one of the things that can cause damage to your commercial roof this winter. In fact, winter can be troublesome for any commercial roofing or industrial roofing system, but a flat roof is particularly susceptible to damage from leaks. 

As highly experienced industrial & commercial roofing contractors, we know all too well that dealing with a flat roof leak can be both a frustrating and costly part of the colder months. Any flat roof leak that’s left unchecked during winter can end up causing serious damage to your roof structure and to the building as a whole. 

At roofing consultants, we provide cost-effective flat roof leak repair and roof restorations, but we can also help you identify and stop any flat roof leak – and one of the best ways to do this it to take advantage of an electronic leak detector. 

What is electronic leak detection? 

Essentially, an electronic leak detector works as a non-destructive diagnostic tool that can be used by trained roofing contractors to identify water leaks. It will be able to accurately locate any entry points and areas of trapped water within your flat roofing system using electronically charged bristles. 

An electronic leak detector will be able to quickly pinpoint problematic areas with absolute precision. These areas will then be clearly marked so that quick repair work can take place before any small issues become big, costly problems down the line. 

With electronic leak detection, there’s no guesswork involved and you won’t need to carry out any flood testing. Using this method to find an issue and carry out a flat roof roof leak repair, is painless, accurate and environmentally friendly.

How can electronic leak detection really help?

Not only is taking advantage of an electronic leak detector a quick, easy and accurate method of locating a flat roof leak, it’s just as effective when used in both wet and dry weather conditions. This equipment will be able to find leaks no matter how small they are, without the need to remove surface coatings etc.

Electronic leak detection still works effectively to make fast and accurate reading of leaks in most types of waterproofing membranes. Once a defect has been found, it will be marked on the roof’s surface with survey paint and plotted on a CAD drawing so that repairs can be carried out quickly. 

Detecting defects and carrying out a flat roof roof leak repair early will save you money in the long run. As you’ll be preventing a small leak from turning into a major structural problem, which could end up requiring the whole roofing system to be replaced. 

To avoid the worse case scenario, get in touch with our professional roofing contractors for a free site survey today. 

For more information on electronic leak detection, call us on 0800 046 1500 or fill out our contact form online.

Winter is associated with many wonderful things; from festive fun and brightly decorated streets to cozy crackling fires and snowball fights. However, there are certainly aspects to the colder months that aren’t so great – mainly the weather conditions, which are arguably more varied and unpredictable than any other time of year.

Cold temperatures, heavy rain, gale force winds and frosty nights can all play havoc with your industrial roofing system. Your industrial roof understandably bears the brunt of this unpredictable and often harsh weather, so it’s essential that you take steps to protect it. Of course this involves keeping on top of your roof maintenance

Clear any ice or snow

Any build of ice and snow on your industrial roofing system runs the risk of causing structural damage if it’s left to rest there for too long. The more it builds up the greater the strain to the structure of you building. You can rectify this by having snow regularly removed from the roof, along with any build up of ice.

Double check your insulation

If your industrial roof has poor insulation, this can cause a number of issues. One of which is when melted snow and ice runs down into the guttering and drains as a result of a roof being too warm. This then refreezes, causing a blockage that will get bigger over time, possibly causing damage to the guttering system.

Remove debris

It’s a good idea to get professional roofing contractors to remove accumulated debris on top of your industrial roof. This way, you can prevent moisture-related issues like mold and mildew. A clean roof can also improve your property’s overall aesthetics.

Keep your guttering clear

Regularly making an effort to clean out any guttering, including leaves and moss etc, can make a huge difference when it comes to protecting your industrial roof over winter. The prevalence of rain and snow during the season means that any guttering can quickly get clogged up. You should always exercise extreme caution when inspecting any guttering.

It’s recommended that you take advantage of experienced industrial & commercial roofing contractors when it comes to carrying out any maintenance on your industrial roof. At NWIR, we offer a free site survey to make sure your roof is up to scratch.

For more information, call us on 0800 046 1500 or fill out our contact form online.

The popularity of drones extends far beyond recreational and personal use. And despite their reputation of being a bit of a nuisance, drones have become incredibly useful in the commercial sphere.

Within the roofing industry especially, drones have proved exceptionally valuable and have revolutionised the way that roof surveys and inspections are carried out.

What does a drone roof survey involve?

A drone roof survey is a relatively modern and new way of inspecting roofs. This type of roof survey is especially helpful for roof areas that have restricted or unsafe access.

A Helecam is used, which is a radio controlled helicopter with in-flight video camera. It is controlled by a trained professional on the ground and allows us to thoroughly inspect the roof without the need to physically go up there.

A drone roof inspection has the ability to analyse areas that would’ve been previously inaccessible to professional, or difficult to service using more traditional roof surveying methods. We find that this is especially common amongst much older commercial properties, as well as those at a distinguishable height.

The footage that is obtained from the drone inspection is extremely high quality and gives a clear indication of any problems with the roof.

Why are the pros of having a drone inspection?

A drone roof survey is a fantastic way to inspect a roof and there are a wide range of benefits to consider.

• Is a time and cost-effective way to inspect a commercial roof
• Reduces the risk to human life and the roof itself
• Provides solid evidence of damage/work that needs to be done
• Involves minimal disruption to the live working environment
• Reduces the chance of human error

There are of course times when a drone roof inspection may not be the best option, for example, on particularly low lying roofs or during high wind conditions. But we can always advise on the best course of action for your particular roof taking into account the conditions on the day.

To receive more information about our drone roof surveys, and to book your free site survey, contact us on: 0800 046 1500.

What is TPO roofing?

TPO stands for thermoplastic polyolefin, a single-ply roofing membrane that covers the surface of the roof.

You may have seen or heard TPO roofing referred to as single ply roofing and that’s because TPO roofing is a type of single ply membrane roofing. Other types of single ply roofing include PVC, EPDM and elastomeric felt.

Despite having “plastic” in the name, TPO roofing does not contain plastic and is actually made out of a blend of rubbers, usually polypropylene and ethylene-propylene.

TPO roofing’s defining characteristic is that it is designed to be installed in one single layer.

When would you install a TPO roof?

TPO works as a roof overlay material and can be used to provide a long-term watertight solution for existing flat roofing systems. If your roof is in need of refurbishment and you’re looking for a solution that will be completely waterproof then you might look at TPO roofing as an option.

Benefits of TPO roofing

TPO roofing is a popular choice for those looking for a waterproof solution, but there are a whole range of other benefits associated with single ply roofing:

Very durable

You want your roofing system to be long-lasting and to be able to withstand various environmental pressures, and TPO roofing does just that. It’s a very durable roofing system which has a long shelf life.

Cost-effective

You would expect a highly durable roofing system to be incredibly expensive, but TPO roofing is actually very cost-effective compared to other roof types.

Different grades available

You can choose the level of protection you want from your single ply roof membrane.

Energy efficient

As more businesses look to reduce their carbon footprint, as well as their energy bills, the eco-friendliness of TPO produces savings on energy bills and means businesses can use less energy overall.

Wide variety of colours to choose from

It’s possible to choose the colour you want to match the existing aesthetic of your building.

Lightweight product

Despite being highly durable, TPO roofing is actually very lightweight and is so easy to install causing minimal disruption to commercial environments.

If you’d like to learn more about TPO roofing or any other types of single ply membrane roofing systems, contact us at Roofings Consultants Group. We offer free site surveys to all new clients – book yours today 0800 046 1500.

If you have a commercial roof leak, the best thing to do is contact a commercial roofing contractor as soon as possible. The sooner a problem is identified and repaired, the less long-term damage is caused and the cheaper it is to fix.

If you’re having problems with your commercial roof but aren’t quite sure what the problem is, we can conduct a commercial roof survey to identify the issue. One of our specially trained consultants will survey your business’ roof quickly (without disruption) and give you a free and transparent quote on any commercial roof repair you’ll need.

Types of roof surveys we carry out

There are various roof surveys and diagnostic tools we can use to find the location and cause of your commercial roof leak. These include:

Visual Roof Survey

Visual roof surveys conducted by our team of experienced industrial roofing contractors offer you the swift and straightforward answers you need about the current state of your roof.

Electronic Leak Detection (ELD)

Electronic Leak Detection (ELD) is a fast and accurate method of locating leaks in most types of waterproofing membranes.

Moisture Probe Survey

During a moisture probe survey, defective roof areas will be marked on the roof’s surface with survey paint and plotted on a CAD drawing in preparation for repairs. The main benefit of getting a moisture probe survey carried out is that you could potentially avoid a complete roof replacement, saving you money.

Moisture Scanning

If you suspect your roof is retaining water our roof leak detection procedure will enable us to locate trapped moisture within your roofing system.

View our full range of commercial roof surveys & diagnostics tools.

Common causes of commercial roof leaks

Having been in the roofing business for many years now, we’ve seen our fair share of commercial roof leaks. In our experience, these are the most common causes:

Ponding wate

If your flat roofing system doesn’t have effective drainage then it can end up with standing or ponding water. If ponding water is left for too long it can cause the roof to degrade much more quickly than normal, resulting in sagging and roof leaks.

Damaged perimeter flashing

A lot of commercial roof leaks occur around the perimeter where the flashing is. This is because roofing systems expand and contract as temperature changes throughout the seasons, and so the flashings can often tear or break and can fail.

Old roofing systems

As with most things, age can be a big factor in the performance of a roof. Many commercial roof repairs are needed because the roof is simply old, worn and in need of some TLC.

Roof membrane damage

As the roof membrane’s job is to stop water getting into the building’s interior, when there’s damage to the roof membrane, it usually causes a leak.

Open roof penetrations

All roof penetrations, such as pipes, ducts and vents, are prone to leaks. If they are not properly secured then the roofing system won’t be fully protected from water damage.

If you think you’ve got a commercial roof leak, contact us at NWIR.

What is liquid applied roofing?

Liquid applied roofing systems have become one of the most popular and cost-effective solutions within the commercial roofing market.

Liquid roofing systems are advanced polymeric coating materials such as polyurethane, that are applied to roof to provide a seamless, protective barrier.

The majority of liquid roofing systems are applied with various different coatings to ensure the very best performance. However, this sometimes depends on the specific guidelines provided by each manufacturer. This process traditionally includes:

• Primer
• Base Coat
• Reinforcement Matting
• UV top coat

Liquid roofing offers a long-term solution to the problem of water ingress and can last up to 25 years before needing any kind of repair. These types of roof coating systems also offer a cost effective repair solution and superior alternative to traditional roofing substrates.

What kind of roof is liquid coating suitable for?

Liquid applied roofing is great because it’s an extremely versatile solution, and so it can be applied to either flat roof, pitched or domed roof systems. And the solution can also be used on a wide range of materials including Mineral felt, mastic asphalt and more recent PVC/TPO membranes.

We offer free site surveys so you can ensure you’re getting the very best out of your roofing solution, so if you’re unsure about whether liquid applied roofing is suitable for your building, we can help.

Get a free roof survey

The benefits of liquid applied roofing

The main benefits of this type of roof coating are:

• Cost-effective
• Long-lasting
• Easy to install
• Allows for insulation

Additionally, liquid applied roofing systems are highly resistant to UV degradation and other harmful airborne pollutants and are also safer and easier to install than other types of roof systems, as there are no hot works involved.

We have a dedicated blog post where you can read more about the benefits of liquid applied roofing.

At NWIR, we install a range of liquid applied roofing systems in Polyurethane and PMMA compositions. We ensure that all liquid roofing solutions are applied in accordance with the requirements and guidelines provided by each of our chosen manufacturers.

Contact us to find out if this is the right solution for your building.