Tim Richardson - Felt and Torch on Roofing : a Practical Guide

FELT AND
TORCH ON
ROOFING

A Practical Guide

FELT AND
TORCH ON
ROOFING

A Practical Guide

Tim Richardson

THE CROWOOD PRESS

First published in 2014 by
The Crowood Press Ltd
Ramsbury, Marlborough
Wiltshire SN8 2HR

www.crowood.com

This e-book first published in 2014

Tim Richardson 2014

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978 1 84797 694 9

Disclaimer

Safety is of the utmost importance in every aspect of roofing. The practical procedures and the tools and equipment used in installing felt roofs are potentially dangerous. Tools should be used in strict accordance with the manufacturers recommended procedures and current health and safety regulations. The author and publisher cannot accept responsibility for any accident or injury caused by following the advice given in this book.

All photos by Tim Richardson

CONTENTS

PREFACE

I started my roofing career with roofers whom I hold in the highest regard. They were also a very popular choice with other tradesmen and contract managers alike because of their attention to detail, immense knowledge, skill and faultless work. In my opinion, they were some of the best roofers and cladders in the industry. They instilled in me the knowledge, expertise and pride needed to complete any job to a high standard. While working with them I realized that pride is an essential trait for a successful roofer and I can assure you the roofers that did not take pride in their work are almost certainly not roofers today. Every job, without exception, should be completed with satisfaction for the roofer as well as the customer.

Torch on felt roofing is a particular roofing discipline that most homeowners or builders will avoid like the plague. The reasons for this seem to be due to a lack of knowledge in the system which, given the limited information available, either online or in books, regarding the installation of these systems, is quite understandable. This book has been written to address this problem, using the knowledge of single ply systems in all areas of the detail work, which provides a much better seal to all areas of a torch on felt roof.

Many torch on felt roofers do not know about single ply techniques and may be quick to brush them off as inappropriate or not the traditional way to do things. These roofers are most probably very good at what they do, but may also be the same roofers who cant seal tricky areas with the traditional methods and are probably too old and too proud to be taught new tricks. For everyone else, this book will provide all the information required to install a whole new roof, regardless of all tricky detail areas.

After reading this book, builders will be completing their own torch on felt roofs instead of subbing work out to a roofing firm and homeowners will be doing the same. The DIY enthusiast will be in his or her element and may even take to torch on felt roofing as a main trade. This book will save money for some, make money for others and educate all.

As a roofer I have been extremely privileged to work in different countries with different roofers installing many different systems, taking the best methods from each to compile into the perfect overall method of installation. I would like to thank the many roofers I worked with in the early days who inspired me, with a special thank you to Tony Plumbley and especially Alan Sorrell (Bullet), without whom the invaluable knowledge and conscientiousness that will hopefully be passed onto others through this book would not have been attained.

Id like to thank Paul Hoenes for the initial inspiration to write this book. Michael DAmore, John Patrick, Chris Holt, Glenn Kingston, Ryan Moss and Russell Thomas for help with the photographs and Matt, Ben and Alice Richardson for the knowledge, resourcing and support offered throughout. A very special thank you also goes to Martyn Barry and Sylvia Kindrachuck whose help and support will not be forgotten.

This book is dedicated to Gemma, Jessica and Cadie.

INTRODUCTION

This book is a detailed guide to installing a high performance torch on, built-up felt roof for either a DIY project at home, or for those who wish to make a living from installing felt roofs. It will also benefit current felt roofers by showing an alternative, failsafe process for detailing, while explaining new techniques for welding which will ensure a perfect welding bead is obtained throughout the roof.

There is not much information available for this particular roofing discipline. An online search gives a good picture of how to do the basics, but the more intricate detailing and how to overcome the main problem areas in felt roofing do not seem to be covered. This book will explain all, from the safety precautions to take, to the tips and tricks to keep your flat roof watertight for many years.

Torch on felt roofing systems have been around for a very long time and have been the flat roof covering of choice for most people, as when a flat roof needs replacing, homeowners tend to replace their system using a like for like attitude. With this in mind, it is safe to say that there will always be a demand for felt roofs. If the installation techniques are followed in this book, any reader can successfully seal their own roof, or run a flat roofing business using high performance torch on felt and be able to deal with any detailing problems a flat roof can throw at you.

You will learn many tips and tricks from reading this book that most felt roofers do not want you to know, or do not know themselves. This book will teach different methods for sealing internal and external corners which steer away from the orthodox felt roof applications. These techniques allow a novice to complete their first felt roof to a high standard and, after some practice, the quality of work will be better than the professionals.

There are issues which are not thoroughly covered in this book, which regard to the technical specifications of flat roofs, insulation and building regulations. As a homeowner undertaking a DIY project, or for the odd torch on flat roof here and there, these issues do not necessarily need to be addressed in their entirety. However, for a more serious objective, or in preparation for a flat roofing business, these regulations should be noted and put into practice. Further information and regulation codes and titles are provided in the further reading chapter at the back of the book.

Before you start any flat roof, please take the time to get to know the materials and equipment you are going to use. An hours trial on a small mock-up roof would suffice, just remember to include any aspects of detail you are likely to come across on the actual job. The photos taken in this book have been, in some instances, simulated situations on mock roofs to represent most aspects of detailing.

The views and techniques expressed in this book are for guidance purposes. Although this book contains the correct information at the time of going to print in regards to the code of practice in installing felt roofs, it should in no way be used as a specification or quoted as such. Remember, these processes are a guide to an initial roof, and once you have found your way of working, there are not really any hard and fast rules, just that the roof has to keep out water, and look good to the eye, especially if the roof is a showpiece or in a position to be viewed by the homeowner on a regular basis.