Brighton Belle regains its crown with Icopal

Iconic Brighton landmark, the upmarket Abbotts Building, has had its watertightness guaranteed for 25 years, as it has a new flat roof specified, manufactured and supplied by Icopal.

With outstanding views across the English Channel, Abbotts, built in the early 1960s, is an eight-storey block of 17 apartments, including the penthouse apartment that occupies the whole of the top storey, which was blighted the worst from incessant leaks.

Kevin Smith, a freelance surveyor working on behalf of Priors Property Management in Hove, realised the whole roof needed to be replaced.

“Thermal imaging showed that water had penetrated through the top layer of asphalt but then travelled along the roof until it penetrated through the next layer and through to the concrete deck beneath,” he said.

“This explained why previous repairs were ineffectual – it was impossible to find exactly where the leak had started from where it emerged.”

Working with Peter Swanell, the BMI Area Technical Manager, Kevin considered two alternatives: Icopal Enviroflex, a liquid applied waterproofing membrane; or a bituminous system, finished with Icopal’s Profiles XL Plus FireSmart® capsheet.

Both would be guaranteed for 25 years, if installed by a member of the IMA – the Intelligent Membrane Association, BMI’s network of Icopal-approved contractors.

“We opted for the Profile because we felt that its greater thickness would provide longer, more durable protection in what was an exposed coastal location,” Kevin added.

IMA member, Clarke Roofing (Southern), was given the contract and installed Icopal QD Bitumen Primer on top of the existing Mastic Asphalt, before then installing the vapour control layer, Profiles Vapour Vent XL, and the adhesive layer, Bonding To Bitumen Stripes.

The insulation was Thermazone Torch-On Insulation, with Profiles Vent XL U/L underlay and a capsheet of Profiles XL PLUS FireSmart ® Mineral.

Clarke Roofing was on-site for six weeks, aided by Icopal all the way through regular contact and on-site inspections. 

Ray Edwards, Clarke Roofing Quantity Surveyor, commented: “It was a pleasure to work with Priors, on this high-profile project in Brighton. Their project Surveyor Kevin Smith assisted with a seamless and trouble-free roofing project. A single point of contact is always desirable between the Stakeholder and Main Contractor.”

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