Keeping your roof maintained
Expert advise from Onduline
LONG LASTING ROOF
Onduline Roofing Sheets are extremely durable for long service. The following maintenance procedures should be undertaken: Leaf debris should be removed as any build up will form a leaf mould which can soften the Onduline sheets and reduce its effective life. Tree and shrub branches in contact with the sheets can, through wind generated movement, cause damage and should be trimmed accordingly.
Health and Safety
Safe and secure
The bitumen’s used in the production of Onduline are of low order toxicity and there is no evidence from tests or through experience that bitumen’s present a health risk to humans, as a result of regular exposure over an extended period. The International Agency for research on cancer has concluded that there is no evidence that Class 2 bitumen’s are carcinogenic to man.
Working on Onduline Roofs
Fragile roof coverings
Onduline sheets should be regarded as providing a ‘fragile’ roof covering, work should be conducted using roof access platforms and ladders or crawling boards as detailed Health and Safety regulations as set out in HSG33 (Roof work). These should be positioned with reasonable care to avoid damaging the sheets surface. If access to the roof is required for some purpose other than occasional maintenance of sheets, a permanent access platform should be provided.
Correct installation
Onduline sheets in the construction of a rainwater catchment systems give water suitable for drinking in compliance with the World Health Organisation and EEC regulations (Report Yarsley Technical Centre).
During storage or when first fixed an odour may emit from the sheet as a result of the production process within the sheet at the time of production process. It is not harmful and will dissipate with normal ventilation provision.
Condensation can form on newly fixed sheets as a result of the drying out of building materials, This moisture can absorb dust from the atmosphere and mix with bitumen production residue on the sheet surface. The resulting discoloured water droplets can fall on underlying surfaces, it can be easily removed using proprietary cleaning agents
Consideration of Fire Risk
Protection
Onduline sheets do not emit significant amounts of combustible gases during storage or use, and therefore require no special storage provision, although we recommend the material is stored in a normally ventilated area to ensure any moisture present can dissipate.
The composition of the sheet will burn only if ignited by an intense independent heat source. A fire can be tackled using normal firefighting procedures with due precautions taken in respect of radiated heat and fumes.
Normal water-based fire extinguishers are suitable.
MORE ROOFING TIPS
Click below and discover more useful tips on how to keep your roof guaranteed for years to come.