Parapet roof on listed building: Old College, Aberystwyth University

Heights are never a problem - as this parapet roof at Aberystwyth University's Old College shows!
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The roof and parapet walls before cleaning
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It is clear how much this roof needed refurbishment
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The tower stairwell roof during pressure washing, which shows up exactly what repairs are needed
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The pressure washing technique used ensures the roof doesn't leak any more than it would if it was raining
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The completed weatherproof and waterproof roof
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The leaking ashfelt parapet roof of this historic tower stairwell in Aberystwyth was in desperate need of repair and refurbishment. Now a listed building, the Old College was opened in 1872 as the original home of Aberystwyth University, Wales' first university, and so holds a special place in the hearts of the Welsh!

As the slideshow photos demonstrate, the pressure washing method used to prepare the roof had the added advantage of showing up the networks of fissure cracks needing repair in the ashfelt roofing layer, making it very easy to judge what needed to be done. On this roof, leakage into the rooms below had become quite extensive, rusting the support girders and causing structural cracks. The owners worried that pressure washing would result in even heavier leaking - in fact, not only does pressure washing cause no more leaking than rainfall: in our experience, it causes less. When it rains (especially in Wales!) it often rains for hours, but the pressure washing lance is only on each area of the roof for seconds.

Further advantages of the liquid membrane roofing system include its ability to adhere to any detail, and the fact that it contracts and expands with roof and building movement. In this case, this meant that the fissure cracked asphalt, which was in the process of detaching from the wall, could be used beneficially - the liquid polymer system sealed the fissure cracks completely (and flexibly), and this new, fully watertight surface provided the ideal substrate for the liquid polymer roofing system.

The Old College is a truly unique and spectacular building, towering over the seafront promenade beside the ruins of Aberystwyth Castle - and it is a genuine privilege to have been part of ensuring its future!

Find out how we can help with your roof - call today on 01970 610047