Derbion Shopping Centre | Derby
Watertight Retail.
Trusted partner:
The challenge:
The roof above a retailer at Derbion Shopping Centre was experiencing persistent water ingress. The existing roof was an ageing felt system that had reached the end of its serviceable life, resulting in leaks that posed a risk to the retail environment below. Access and logistics presented additional challenges. The available compound area was extremely limited, and traditional scaffolding could not be mechanically fixed due to the presence of asbestos within the structure. Furthermore, existing rooftop plant restricted access and sequencing, requiring careful planning to minimise disruption to the live shopping centre.
The action:
To fully understand the extent of water ingress and avoid unnecessary full roof replacement, a Roof Diagnostics survey was undertaken using miltary grade thermographic camera technology. This allowed precise identification of wet and compromised areas within the roof build-up benefitting from significant cost savings, reduced disruption to the operations below and unneccessary waste to landfill. Initial works included the removal of the first section of rooftop plant to allow safe access. Due to the asbestos restrictions, a fully bespoke access and scaffolding solution was designed and installed, enabling works to proceed without penetrating the existing structure. Targeted strip-up was carried out in areas confirmed as wet by the diagnostics survey, ensuring only affected sections were removed. These areas were repaired and reinstated before overlaying the existing roof system.
The solution:
AlphaGuard PUMA Flat Roof System was chosen for the refurbishment works. This system is fast-curing in low and high temperatures, certified with Broof(t4) classification, and comes with a 25-year warranty. To address historic issues with standing water, a tapered insulation system was incorporated into the design, improving drainage and eliminating areas of ponding. The result was a fully refurbished roof with enhanced performance, extended service life, and improved water management — all delivered safely within a constrained environment and without impact on the operation of the shopping centre.
