FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
Retain Not Replace Saves £150,000 on Roof Refurb
A refurbishment project at a large London residential block demonstrates how a data-led approach to roof retention can reduce capital expenditure, avoid unnecessary disruption, and secure long-term asset performance. By intervening only where needed, the project achieved approximately £150,000 in savings while maintaining continuous resident access and delivering a guaranteed waterproofing system.
Reducing spend through smarter specification
The Riverside Mansions site comprises 3,500 sqm of flat roofing and 1,500 sqm of communal walkways and balconies. After years of ongoing reactive repairs and persistent water ingress, the managing surveyors identified the need for a future-proof solution that would deliver cost certainty and long-term performance.
Garland UK carried out a data-led roof condition survey, supported by independent moisture scanning. The findings revealed that only 11% of the roof area showed signs of saturation. With 89% of the existing roof still serviceable, a targeted roof retention strategy was developed. This focused on stripping and replacing only the affected areas, while overlaying the remainder using Garland’s cold-applied liquid waterproofing system.
By eliminating unnecessary strip-out, labour and disposal, the project delivered a saving of approximately £150,000. The result was a refurbishment that protected the asset while giving estate teams full cost control.
Maintaining access and minimising disruption
As an occupied residential block, Riverside Mansions presented unique logistical challenges. Communal access routes such as balconies and walkways had to remain open throughout the works, making prolonged closures unacceptable.
To address this, Garland UK specified Dura-Coat, a fast-curing cold-applied liquid waterproofing system. Its rapid set time meant walkways were accessible within hours, allowing residents continued safe access with minimal interruption.
Communal areas were upgraded with Dura-Walk, a slip-resistant walkway and balcony waterproofing system designed to withstand high-traffic environments. Prior to installation, adhesion testing confirmed compatibility with some legacy systems already exhibiting signs of premature failure.
Coordination in a residential setting
With multiple stakeholders on site, close coordination was essential. From the outset, a clear programme of works and access sequencing was established to prevent overlap, avoid delays and ensure seamless delivery.
Garland UK’s Technical Manager provided consistent on-site oversight, conducting regular inspections to ensure that all systems were installed to specification. This collaborative approach reduced resident disruption and avoided hidden costs.
Delivering long-term protection and assurance
The refurbished roofing and walkways are now protected by Garland UK’s Single-Point Guarantee, 20 years for Dura-Coat and 15 years for Dura-Walk.
Unlike fragmented warranties that divide responsibility between manufacturers and contractors, Garland UK’s guarantee covers design, materials and workmanship in full. If a fault arises, facilities managers have a single point of contact, removing the risk of liability disputes and enabling fast, effective resolution.
All reports, guarantees and maintenance schedules are uploaded to Garland’s Roof Asset Management Programme (RAMP), a secure platform giving building managers easy access to essential documentation throughout the system’s life.
Maximising lifecycle value for residential portfolios
This project shows how early investment in survey data and system design can deliver measurable returns. By avoiding unnecessary replacement, the works not only delivered significant savings but also reduced waste, shortened programme times, and improved the resident experience.
For housing associations, property managers and facilities teams, the right technical approach can protect people and assets without exceeding budget. In a market where capital funding is under pressure and operational resilience is critical, targeted roof retention offers a practical path to performance and value.
