DPR has recently completed a large commercial roof project for leading Yorkshire based drinks company Finlay Beverages.

Finlay Beverages were experiencing major leakages and damp problems with the gutters at their South Elmsall manufacturing and testing centre. Such is the vast production of coffee at the large site, the coffee granules which are emitted into the air, find settlement on the roof and in the gutters.

DPR had been commissioned on a semi-regular basis (once every three to four months) to clear the gutters of the granules, however during a regular routine inspection, we noticed a more serious problem. Our team observed that the gutters had more coffee and more liquid in them than usual and after scraping it out, found that they had become corroded by the coffee granules, with flaking metal also obvious.

As a result of the corrosion, the gutters had become filled with more water, causing damage to the roof and the metal had attracted the coffee more readily meaning water could not flow away to the drainage system. It is a vicious circle that would lead to further and more serious damage if left untreated.

As a result, and after making Finlay Beverages aware, our roofers were requested to apply a primer base with a 2 stage Darsil gutter lining system embedment coat. They then added GRP matting at 120gs before applying 2 coats of final top coat in grey.

Due to the issues and the increased output on the site, Finlay Beverages has also agreed to more regular cleaning of the gutters, once every 4-6 weeks, and our roofers will continue to monitor the situation on other parts of their roof. There is a three year guarantee with the GRP and it is hoped that the more periodic cleaning will prevent the coffee doing this much damage in the future.

This is not the first time gutters have been the cause of roof problems, with another property in Doncaster losing £25000 of stock after water damage could not drain properly off the roof.

If you are concerned with your gutters and would like a professional inspection, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 01924 640019.