BURTON MAIL - WEEKENDER CONSUMER Saturday, April 30th, 2011 - ROOFIX 20/10

Stephen Sinfield

Stephen.sinfield@burtonmail.co.uk

ROOFIX 20/10

Rain is probably the last thing you’re preparing for during this exceptionally warm Easter period – but taking action now could save you money in the long run.

Anyone who has a flat roof knows that they have a limited life span and so the time comes when its worth giving it some care and attention.

In a typical year flat roofs have to endure not only the scorching sun but also temperatures falling into minus double figures.

Not forgetting the occasional heavy-footed workman or window cleaner using the roof as a platform to reach higher levels.

My flat roof doesn’t leak but it must be more than 15years since it was first laid.

Cracks in the surface were starting to appear and I guessed it would only last another winter at the most before it started to leak.

Therefore during this warm spell I opted to treat it with Roofix 20/10.

Roofix is a non bitumastic elastomeric acrylic compound. Or for short, a heavy duty roof paint that adheres to any roofing material.

What makes Roofix so special and ideal for the DIY user is that it is cheap and easy to apply.

You don’t have to use any special primers and it is applied cold – no need for tar burners or the like.

Unless you have tonnes of time on your hands. Roofix doesn’t have to be physically painted on to the surface with a brush.

All I did was give the roof a quick sweep to remove loose dust and then tip the entire bucket on the roof.

Using a long handled (home-made) spreading device, I then just evenly distributed the product around the roof.

I only used a paintbrush when cutting-in where the roof surface joined the wall.

You can use anything to spread Roofix and although the product is easy to clean up using turps, I opted to dump my home-made spreader after application.

When you come to use Roofix you will notice that it is full of tiny hairline fibres. These fibres are Draylon and help to reinforce the product making it more able to withstand harsh weathers and occasional footfall.

It really couldn’t be easier to add a new lease of life to your roof. The company behind this product – Flag Finishes – estimate that it could add another 10 years to the life of your roof and if first impressions are anything to go by I would have to agree.

This isn’t a watery-based waterproofer, this is a fairly thick fibre-based substance so allow for a least one litre of product per square metre of roof.

I used two 5 litre tins on my flat roof which covers a standard size bathroom and cloak room. One and a half tins was ample to cover the roof so I used the extra on areas I had highlighted as being potential leak zones in the future – areas where severe bubbling or cracking has taken place.

Application was so easy it took me less than an hour to complete the entire job. Plus I was lucky in that I had some great weather fit for the task.

If you’re not graced with the sun like I was, fear not as Roofix can be applied in damp conditions and can be used to fix a leaking flat roof as well as to add new life to existing roofs.

A DIY job that will stand the test of time.
 

Burton Mail Saturday, April 30, 2011