Project profile: Nottingham shopping street

By Emma Peterson.

Strategic roofing upgrades and a high-performance waterproofing system helped eliminate long-standing moisture issues at a Nottingham commercial property.

In the English Midlands, along the River Trent sits Nottingham, England. This region is characterised by a unique combination of agricultural and industrial operations, as well as the classic English weather of “cold, rainy winters and mild, relatively rainy summers” that make it the perfect backdrop for the tale of Robin Hood – what most people know Nottingham for. But this same atmospheric climate also presents unique challenges for modern residents.

A prime example of this is the water ingress issues faced by multiple stores on Ashfield High Street in Nottingham earlier this year. Axel Group, a roofing contractor from neighbouring Stamford, was brought in to look at the roof above a couple stores that were struggling with leak issues. What they found was a blocked outlet causing drainage issues and a lifting waterproofing system due to application on an improperly prepared surface.

Based on these findings, it was determined that the roof would need to be redone, with targeted areas being torn all the way down to the structural deck. The Axel team described the work done in a case study:

In areas where full removal was not required, the presence of solar paint meant the new system could not be bonded directly. To overcome this, an additional layer was mechanically fixed to the existing substrate, creating a suitable base for the new roof buildup before installation of the waterproofing system... To address long-standing drainage issues, a tapered insulation scheme was introduced to the existing asphalt gutters, improving falls and directing water effectively away from the roof surface.

Once the roof’s structure and drainage problems were solved a new vapour barrier was installed to improve the waterproofing and moisture management of the roof. On top of that, the team installed Tremco's POWERply RBM roofing system. This system is known for its high-performance durability and ability to turn old roofs “into long-lasting, highly efficient weatherproofing systems.” The team also upgraded the gutter system on the buildings, truly ensuring that they were set up for long-term success even in the damp Nottingham climate.