Roof Collapses at London Theatre
A section of the roof collapsed at a London Theatre last night, seriously injuring 7 people, while another 76 were left with cuts and bruises. Currently there is no life threatening injuries.
A large section of the historic plasterwork at the Grade II Listed Apollo Theatre fell onto the audience just after 8pm last night, during the theatre production of the novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. The production was a sell out, with around 720 people in attendance.
Eye-witness reports claim that there could have been dripping coming from the ceiling, whilst a caller told Radio 5 Live that they saw electric sparks. Many people were treated on the scene on London busses or taken to specially set up emergency triage units in adjoining theatres. 58 of the walking wounded were taken to four London hospitals and they were all put on high alert.
The clear up operations saw many emergency crews on the scene and the emergency services are treating this event as a major crisis. Firecrews used an aerial ladder platform to inspect the theatre roof and from the outside you cannot see any of the damage.
DPR would like to pass on our best wishes to all those who are injured and hope everyone makes a swift recovery.
Flat roofing problems in Yorkshire
Back in 2011, the Daily Telegraph ran a feature in their property section about the problem of flat roofs. They looked at some of the most common issues and tried to offer advice towards preventing damage to flat roofs in the future.
Although this article was written over two years ago, the same problems still remain across new flat roofs and older flat roofs, especially in the Yorkshire region. Many flat roofs are built too flat which leads to the materials sagging in the middle and inadequate support structures put in place. This then means that rain water pools as it does not run off the roof and after a period of time will permeate through any imperfections or gaps in the material.
A common misconception is that flat roofs should be flat. Flat roofs should actually be slightly raised in the middle to allow for water to run off. If there is no raised middle section, then it doesn’t matter how good the material used is; there will eventually be a leak.
A lack of maintenance can also be an issue on flat roofs in the Yorkshire area, with a harsh climate, especially in the North Yorkshire Moors, causing problems. Sun blistering and damage caused by wind are two of the more common problems, but there are many other reasons why your flat roof could be faulty.
Here at DPR, we have been repairing flat roofs in the area for a number of years, and are still amazed with the amount of flat roofs, especially new ones which do not have the correct infrastructure in place. Our team of roofers can repair leaks linked to many different causes but would always advice that a raised section and structural support is put in should it now already be there and you if you are experiencing a leak. This will add longevity to your roof and should prevent the constant pooling that you have already seen.
So although The Telegraph told us to look out for our flat roofs, it would appear that little has been done to correct the problems. Should you notice any problem with your flat roof, please do not hesitate to call DPR on the number at the top of the page.
High Winds cause damage to Yorkshire homes
DPR have spent the weekend repairing damaged roofs after high winds and rain caused severe damage to homes across the county.
Last Thursday saw winds of over 75mph hit the area, and coupled with the wind was rain which culminated in tiles, slate and guttering coming off roofs, with the worst in rural and high up areas. The high winds lasted just under 24 hours but the damage they have caused, which also includes a number of damp patches forming within houses, has left many people needing repair work.
This is a major issue, but here at DPR we are able to help you out of this tricky situation. We have a comprehensive team that are able to carry out roof repair work quickly and for a cost effective price. Our skilled roofers can carry out repair work to domestic and commercial properties, and understand that any roofing issue can cause a huge inconvenience to your daily lifestyle.
From cracked or missing tiles, to split or broken guttering, we have the staff to carry out your repair needs. A full site survey will be carried out by our qualified surveyors, and we will recommend the best possible approach to fix your roof. This could include replacement of tiles, repairing of a cracked tile or even a full replacement of a complete section of the roof.
We believe that prevention is however a much better option than a cure, so we offer an annual check of your roof on all properties. This will show up any problems before they can to fruition and will maintain the high quality of your roof.
For more information on the roof repair services we offer, or to book a repair, please call one of our team on the number at the top of the page and we will get someone out as soon as possible to check the problem.
We cover all the local towns and villages around your area and use local engineers so we are never too far away.
Wind and rain to hit Pontefract
Pontefract and the whole of West Yorkshire are bracing themselves for the changes in weather that are expected in the coming few days.
The cold and strong winds will bring rain and potentially sleet, with damage to commercial property and homes expected because of the conditions.
This is where DPR as the leading Pontefract roofers can help you should you experience damage to your roof during this period.
If the damage is severe, we offer a 24 hour emergency repair service so can have your home water tight quickly. This service is available when you are missing parts of the roof and there is an immediate safety risk.
For repairs that are needed with urgency, but do not pose a serious health or safety risk, we offer a comprehensive roof repair service. This includes replacing cracked or missing tiles, filling up any holes that arise where water can gain access into the house, as well as replacing loose guttering. We can also undertake the correct procedures should you have roof movement caused by severe weather damage.
Should roof damage become a regular problem, we also offer a maintenance service which sees our team carry out gutter clearing and roof checks which will help to prevent the chance of more serious roof damage in the future.
From domestic roof repairs, through to industrial and commercial buildings, our team have all the skills required to carry out a complete service. If you require a roof repair during the winter months on your Pontefract roof, please call us on 01977 220016 to discuss your specific requirements.
Checking your roof safely
After some strong winds and with more expected, DPR would like to offer our clients some extra help in checking your roofs conditions when you get time.
We recently wrote an article about strong winds being expected and here are our top tips for ensuring your roof remains in top conditions.
If you are able to gain access into your roof, you can check many different things. These include:
• If you have an unlined roof, check for cracks which might show light from the outside.
• Take a torch to check all the timbers. If you notice any water or damp patches this will indicate an opening in the roof.
• After a heavy period of rain, it is worth checking the inner sate of the roof. It will only deteriorate over time.
If you are unable to get into your roof, checking from the outside is another good option. You can check the whole roof by just walking around in the garden. You will be able to spot any newly exposed cracks or slipped tiles. You may also notice any guttering that is coming away from the roof. Do not forget to look on the floor because something may have fallen off the roof, or some mortar might have broken away.
If it is safe to do so, you could also use a ladder to check some of the damage from roof level. This will show some areas much more clearly. If at any point you notice problems our team can come out and carry out a full survey and repair any damage extremely quickly for a good value.
For more information about any problems you might have, or to arrange for our team to come and carry out any repair work, you can call us by ringing the number at the top of the website. We have experienced roofers across the whole of Yorkshire and are never far away from your home.
Contract with Wakefield College Estates
DPR are delighted to announce they have passed the Wakefield College Estates strict criteria to become an approved roof contractor for their sites.
As a result, we will now carry out roofing work on many education buildings within the local area, including the prestigious Wakefield Girls High School, the many numerous buildings that make up Wakefield College Campus, Castleford Campus and the Wakefield Museum building.
The partnership will see us involved in major emergency work, as well as general roofing maintenance and roof repairs. According to their interviewing panel, a key deal clincher was our cherry picker. They were delighted we owned one and it reaffirms our commitment to having the best roofing equipment.
The tending process saw us come out on top of the best roofing competition from many other local other roofing companies, signifying our commitment to providing the best quality service within the area.
This arrangement, although only signed very recently, has already seen our engineers carry out emergency roof repairs at the Castleford Campus site. Our team of roofers were able to solve the problem, which was caused by the recent weather.
They are experts in repairs including replacing tiles, splits in any guttering or even roof movement, which can become extremely serious. As with all these types of repairs, additional signs such as leakages and damp could well be apparent.
DPR are delighted to be involved with such an established and respected Estate and hope to be able to offer our services on a number of roofing jobs in the near feature.
Detecting a flat roof problem
DPR is the neighbourhoods chosen flat roofing specialist across Yorkshire, with over 25 years experience and a portfolio of repairs covering commercial, domestic, large and small flat roofs.
Over that time, we have built up an extensive knowledge regarding what signs to look for when solving roof leak problems, especially in relation to flat roofs.
If you have a leak, the chances are you will notice the leak in the room below, but due to the flat roof construction, it is unlikely that the leak will be attributed to a point directly above, as water finds it way under the top layer and between the layers before finding a path through the ceiling.
Leaks can be caused by a huge variety of factors, but before any work is carried out, our team will have to undertake a full inspection. This is because if pools of water are occurring there could be a more serious large-scale problem. This could be caused by a design flaw with cracks detectable at joints or around the guttering, which could need replacing or cleaning.
If your flat roof has a gravel layer on top of the membrane, the source is harder to find, but our team know what signs to look for including discolouring. If at this point still no obvious source of a leak can be detected, our team can also use other methods to survey the roof before any work is carried out.
Upon detection, we will then offer alternatives and a recommended option which could include a full scale repair or even a replacement flat roof, depending on each individual scenario. From patch repairs to a complete new fixed overlay, our team have the skills required to solve your leaking problems. To see all the options we can provide, you can check out our flat roofing section in the domestic or commercial tabs.
For more information or to arrange for a surveyor to come out and check your roof, visit our contact us page to see the areas we cover, and the number to call.
Best For Commercial Roofing
DPR specialise in commercial roofs across the Yorkshire region and have helped many of our leading national companies with their roofing problems in the area. These include Asda, Tesco, Direct Line, Bosch and Leeds City Council.
Damage to any roof, even just domestic, can cause a huge headache and have major ramifications for the homeowners. On a commercial scale, these implications are highlighted further as a small leak can turn into something far bigger, with more people’s lifestyles and environments affected.
Due to DPR’s good name, they are the recommend commercial roof repairers within the area, having built up a trusted reputation for providing a quick service. This has seen companies be able to resume their work effectively within a few days, or not even have to stop working at all whilst the repair work has taken place.
Work on a commercial roof does not always have to include a repair however. Our team of surveyors are often trusted to carry out regular maintenance checks on buildings so that problems can be foreseen or eradicated without huge costs and before it is too late. This service is of great help to companies as they are able to pay a small fee rather than fork out a huge sum.
Our full range of commercial services includes the following: Fascias & Soffits, Felt & Asphalt Roofing, Flat Rooing, General Commercial Roof Repairs, Glazing Bars Repairs, Guttering, Gutter Clearing & Gutter Linings, Lead Work, Pipe & Duct Work, Pointing, Roof Light Replacement, Roof Sheet Replacement, Roof Tiling, Single Ply Roofs and Slating / Slate Roofing.
At DPR we are proud to offer a service of professionalism on all our commercial roofs, which make us the go to company. We work hard to obtain industry commercial roof standards accreditations and our customer care team can put your greatest worries at ease. So if you require a commercial roof inspection or repair, consider DPR roofing and call 0113 335 0043.
Damp proofing the DPR way
DPR have been fitting and repairing new roofs and flat roofs all through the summer, taking advantage of the glorious weather in Yorkshire.
Yet, as with tradition, this weather will eventually leave and we will have some wet and windy weather. During this time, DPR offer an emergency roof repair service, that can help with loose tiles and cracks in the roof.
However DPR do not only offer a roof repair service, as they also deal with problems that arise from damp.
On average, every house across Yorkshire copes with around 25,000 gallons or rain water, or a third of a standard 25m leisure swimming pool, so it is little wonder damp issues arise.
Damp can cause huge problems for a homeowner’s health, including aggravation of an existing respiratory problem or to encourage mites and mould to appear. It can also make the whole house feel cold and look very unappealing.
Damp is caused by poor maintenance and can be seen around roofs, windows, doors and on walls in any property. Usually a damp patch is attributed to an exterior problem, so a damp patch on the wall might suggest a leaking gutter outside.
DPR have some of the top local engineers who are fully qualified in damp proofing of properties, and know the signs to look for.
These signs include decayed skirting boards, discoloration or staining on plaster as well as the common peeling paint or wallpaper. Once you notice these issues, it is important to get a specialist in as early as possible before it spreads.
Damp patches caused from the roof could mean a tile has come loose or potentially missing, but can also be linked to a problem with the guttering, which could be blocked. Because our engineers are also roofers, they can solve the issue, even if it is accredited to another section of the roof, without hassle.
So if you notice some damp signs, which again could be peeling wallpaper or decaying skirting boards, do not hesitate to call DPR on 0113 335 0043 to solve your damp issues quickly.
New Projects
DPR have recently undertaken many large roof based projects across Yorkshire which can now be found in our projects section on our website.
These projects showcase all our skills across flat roofs, new roofs, roof repairs, commercial and domestic builds. They include: Gresham in Lancashire, Asda and Wilco Motosave.
DPR are one of the leading providers of roofing services in Yorkshire and have a reputation as one of the best, with their industry standard qualifications backing up their claims.
You can find all DPR’s recent projects in their Recent Projects section on the website.