Recently, I had the opportunity to carry out a roof assessment on this commercial building as part of the process of evaluating refurbishment options for the years ahead.
At first glance, many roofs can appear relatively straightforward from ground level.
However, a proper assessment often tells a very different story.
The inspection focused on
- Existing waterproofing condition
- Drainage performance
- Ponding water risk
- Roof details and penetrations
- Upstands and perimeter interfaces
- Substrate condition
- Potential refurbishment opportunities
The objective was not simply to identify existing defects.
The objective was to understand how the roof could be refurbished and specified to achieve long-term performance while minimising disruption to the building occupants.
Every successful refurbishment project begins with understanding the existing roof before selecting a waterproofing technology.
A specification should never be driven solely by products.
It should be driven by
- Building requirements
- Existing roof condition
- Detailing complexity
- Service life expectations
- Future maintenance considerations
The next stage is developing the most appropriate specification and refurbishment strategy to help ensure the roof continues to perform for many years to come.
Good specifications begin with good inspections.
Inspect → Assess → Specify → Perform
Good specifications begin with good inspections.