Renowned for its long-lasting performance and versatility, Polyroof’s Protec System was specified for a liquid roofing refurbishment project at a commercial unit to rectify ongoing leakage issues. In order to provide flexible, fully reinforced waterproofing to the building’s intricately designed curved roof, MLG UK Ltd enlisted the expertise of Polyroof to ensure a high quality, seamless finish.
Owing to the system’s superb adaptability, Protec is the ideal choice for roofing projects where special attention to detail is required.
Explore the potential of Polyroof’s leading Protec System >>
Background
The performance of a roofing system strongly relies upon the quality of the waterproofing membrane installed. Due to a failed single ply roof at the recently converted Roxy Lanes Indoor Entertainment Centre, a result of multiple leaks that had occurred, this necessitated a new waterproofing system to futureproof the roof along with the overall structure of the building.
Roxy Lanes is a popular bowling alley, bar, and restaurant situated at the top of Union Street, Bristol, and presents an unusual design with a curved roof section, with the total roof area covering 1,600m2. Working in conjunction with the Client, commercial property managers, MAPP, MLG looked towards Polyroof’s advanced liquid roofing technology for the refurbishment project.
The Challenge
The existing roofing system, which consisted of a Trocal PVC single-ply membrane, had succumbed to water ingress at multiple points throughout the structure, particularly at the low point of the curved roof along the internal gutter. Whilst leak detection tests indicating the points of water ingress led to urgent repairs, a thermal imaging report highlighted that areas of the insulation had subsequently become saturated.
Despite the various localised repairs that were carried out, an in-depth survey by Polyroof concluded that the saturated areas of the roof needed to be fully stripped back to the metal structure deck, allowing for the removal of the failed single ply and sodden insulation material. The ramifications of such complex repairs have the potential to disrupt commercial operations, however, MLG recognised that by adopting Polyroof’s fast-curing waterproofing membranes, this would alleviate much of the pressure, enabling faster turnaround and reduced disruption.
The Solution
Following the Polyroof survey, which encompassed a thorough analysis of the existing roof, identifying the extent of the water ingress and residual damage, a full BUR system solution was specified to correct the compromised roof. It was recommended that the roof would benefit from a new high-performance waterproofing system to provide long-term protection from leaking. Additionally, by incorporating a thermal upgrade into the roof refurbishment project, this would inevitably allow for lower fuel bills and energy consumption, additionally reducing the risk of condensation.
Polyroof advised that the capabilities of their Protec System would lend themselves well to the installation requirements of this project, largely due to its adaptability to complex detailing that is sometimes found within the roofs of commercial buildings. The flexible, versatile nature of Protec enables installers to achieve a seamless waterproof membrane on all types of flat roofs, walkways and terraces, in addition to inverted, brown, green, and blue roofs. Ideal for use on refurbishment projects in busy operational environments, Protec utilises RapidCure technology, boasting cure times as low as 30 minutes, subsequently minimising downtime and associated disruption. Complete with BBA certification for a lifespan of at least 30 years, Protec provides durable, long-lasting waterproofing that will enhance the performance of the roof whilst protecting the wider building.
The seamless solution rules out water penetrations through weak points, such as side and end laps, with the risk of hot works and subsequent potential fire risks being removed, owing to Protec’s cold-applied method. The lightweight yet robust nature of the Protec System significantly reduces the stress incurred by the roof structure, thus mitigating the risk of future issues.
Where insulation is required for thermal upgrades, the Protec Warm Roof System can be specified as a flat or tapered scheme to provide a highly efficient solution to meet the very highest thermal performance requirements. At Roxy Lanes Bristol, 130mm of Polyroof Tissue-Therm insulation was installed to achieve a U-Value 0.18 W/m2K, in accordance with Approved Document L. Also included in the full system solution were various Polyroof ancillaries, including Polyroof SA Primer, Polyroof SA Carrier Layer, Protec Resin Catalyst, and Polymat 450.
The specified system is compatible with a broad range of installation environments, significantly enhancing Protec’s ease of application, especially when the installer is faced with intricate details that need to be factored into the application of the cold-applied liquid membrane. The system’s compatibility with complex roof designs makes it a popular choice for such installations over other, less flexible membranes.
The Result
The outcome of the Roxy Lanes Bristol project was a success, with the installation of Polyroof’s Protec System set to provide durable, long-lasting waterproofing for many years to come. Despite MLG having to contend with adverse weather conditions for much of the project’s duration, the extremely fast curing capabilities of Protec enabled them to capitalise on the intermittent dry spells, thus completing the installation on time and within budget.
The installation of Protec achieved the desired result outlined in the project requirements. Due to the system being applied in liquid form, this meant that noise and disruption were minimal throughout the application process, with business operations remaining unaffected owing to the cold-deployed nature of Protec. Leak detection units were also temporarily installed inside the Roxy Lanes building to capture and redirect any potential water ingress whilst works took place.
Lee Husband, Director at MAPP, said: “Once again Polyroof has exceeded our expectations with their high-performance liquid roofing technology. The versatility of their cold-applied resin systems are perfectly suited to sensitive applications within commercial units, mitigating the risk of downtime and subsequent disruption for businesses. Polyroof removes the stress associated with flat roofing projects, with their team of technical experts being on-hand throughout the entire project lifecycle to provide the necessary support and ensure optimum installation. We very much look forward to working with them again in the future.”
Speaking of the project’s success, Luke Lewis, Director of MLG, said: “It has been a pleasure to work on this project with Polyroof, capitalising on the exceptional performance benefits of the Protec System. The team at MLG have long favoured this system due to it’s easy-to-install nature and its ability to enhance the aesthetics of an installation, creating a seamless waterproof finish.
“The service provided by Polyroof’s technical team, as always, was second to none. They assisted throughout the entire specification process, from the initial site survey right through to installation and completion, always being available to advise where required and resolve any issues incurred in a timely yet effective manner.”
Here at Polyroof, we endeavour to make your roofing project as seamless as possible. For the last 40 years, we have paved the way for advanced liquid roofing technology, having built upon our lasting reputation within the industry through continuous dedication to research and development, as well as best-in-class customer service. We pride ourselves on supporting our loyal client base at every stage of the project, backed by our experienced technical team who behold a wealth of industry knowledge. From specification services to roof surveys and thermal calculations, you can be assured that we will be on-hand to assist as and when is required.
To find out more about how Polyroof can take your roofing project to the next level, get in touch to speak with a member of the team today.
