The leakiest roof

[robwizard]

So I run a skatepark with a couple of friends, It has been going since 1996 and it super sick! But the roof.. is oh so leaky We have spoke to various companies about repairing the roof but as soon as you mention "Skatepark" They assume you don't want to pay for the work? Which is ridiculous.

I was wondering if any of you guys who work in old industrial units have had bad leaks and how have you solved them? The roof is made of that Asbestos concrete stuff, with a row of clear plastic panels. Through my inexperience eye I think I see the leaks as being where the plastic panels join the asbestos?

I was thinking if we could somehow smother the entire roof with rubber or something then that would solve the problem?

Any tips or recommendations of companies around Chester way would be greatly appreciated

Merry Christmas!!

 

[the snooper]

if its like my roof at work it will use those hook type bolts to fix the roof and it seems to be those that leak clean around them and seal them

 

[robwizard]

Yeah it does have them I think.. What is the best stuff to seal them with? I assume it should be done from the outside? Might have to hire a cherry picker or something..

 

[the snooper]

does your roof have any insulation on the inside ?

 

[cumbriasteve]

I helped a friend with his, he had the same problem, we used a grinder with a cutting disc and removed all the old hook fittings...it flies through them.

We then bought a load of silicone tubes from the £ shop, lifted each slightly and run a bead under, finally replcacing with new hooks, new cups and a blob of silicone under each.

Result was a totally dry roof.

In honesty I don't think the silicone was required under the sheets, the biggest improvements were the new neoprene hook seals, the old ones had weathered hard and worked loose but for the sake of £30 we did a belt and braces job.

 

[stuvy]

at a guess, you could look for rubber sealing strip and rubber mastik in a caulking gun then cherry picker inside the building if thats how you reach up to it then squirt the stuff liberally other than that lift the panels off and do the same but from the outside.

Off topic but i used to skate and bmx at radlads northampton years ago

as steve said!

 

[the snooper]

its not an option from the inside due to the panel overlap it would still leak has to be done outside

 

[stuvy]

i forgot about the over lap

 

[Justme]

Quite a bit of what you think are leaks will be condensation.

 

[the snooper]

i have the same type roof and dont get condensation at all and obviously he will only be seeing the leaks when it rains

 

[kelsham]

He did metion plastic panels. I get a lot of condensation dropping off a panel in my garage from such a roof light.
I just live with it it needs a double glazed panel, don't know if there is any other solution.

Regards Kels.

 

[robwizard]

Yeah their is alot of old fibreglass insulation on the inside of the roof. It is a nightmare as it's very dusty and means we are constantly sweeping up, which sucks!

I think replacing all the hooks would be an enormous job as it's a good 75ft wide and probably about 125ft long. But if that's the way to do it Then that's what we will have to do I guess..

I'm not sure about condensation.. I guess it's likely that could be a contributing factor but the rain is definitely our biggest enemy!

I will get up their with a ladder today and see what the state of the panels is round the hooks..

Cheers guys

 

[the snooper]

clean around them with a wire brush and ask at the builders merchants as to what sealant will be best, we had it done to our roof a couple of years ago but i dont know what sealant they used

 

[Shedendman]

If it is ASBESTOS or any other cement bonded roofing,by rights your not allowed to go near it nevermind doing repairs,its a big H&S issue.i'd check this out 1st before you think any futher

 

[FranV8]

I know it's silly and obvious - but do make sure you access the roof properly if going out on top, those roofs are responsible for so many incidents in industry - especially the weakness of the skylights.

Beware if you think the roof may be asbestos too.

Square mode off...

 

[roofman]

you have pm

 

[neilarmo]

You can buy hook bolts and new 'spats' and 'top hats', you'll probably need someone above and below to do the job, both need to be secure safe and hard hatted etc.

For any cracks you can use 'densotape' for a repair, best put on in warm weather.
All of the above are probably illegal on an asbestos sheet roof, so I never told you, right!

N - farmer

 

[mike 109444]

Get youself some scaffold planks to spread the load when walking across the roof or you will brake it or yourself

 

[arceyered]

I would listen to what roofman has to say.
It aint the fall that kills you its the stopping at the bottom.

 

[pedrobedro]

Can't you just paint all the outside with some rubberised paint ?