Torch-On Felt Roofing Is Certainly The Prevalent Felt Roof Repair And Overall Flat Roof Covering Method. However It Is Worth Remembering That Even Within The Context Of Felt Roofing,
Torch-On Felt Roofing
Using A Hot Torch Evolved From An Existing Felt Method- The “Roll And Pour” Method Which Is Still Viable Today In The Hands Of A Skilled Professional. This Method Relied Upon Bitumin Which Is A Bi Product Of The Petrol Refining Process Being Heated Within An On-Site Oven To Then Be Pulled Up By Bucket To The Flat Roof. Once At Roof Level The Molten Bitumin Would Be Poured Out Onto The Roof Surface By One Man Whilst Another Man Would Roll The Felt Over The Bitumin And Wipe The Surplus Bitumin Pressed Out From The Sides. Finally A Top Layer Of Felt Is Added Which Has Either A Mineral Or Slate Chipped Finish. The Fact That This Method Required Care With Skill And Was Fairly Dangerous Led To Shortcuts Being Taken With The Application Of The Bitumen Being Thinned So As To Save Money. This Resulted In The Widespread Failure To Bond The Layers Together Correctly Creating A General Impression That The Method Itself Was Flawed And Other Less Labour-Intensive But Effective Methods Were Sought In Its Place. Its Successor Torch-On Felt Roofing Is Often Favoured As It Appears To Be The Traditional “Like For Like” Replacement Of The Majority Flat Roofing Type. The Most Dangerous Aspect Of Torch -On Felt Roofing Is The Application Of Heat And The Resulting Documented Danger Of Fire To The Property And Burns To The Operative As They Lay The Felt. Local Authorities May Have Specific Requirements To Notify When Hot Torch Work Is To Be Undertaken On A Property. It Is Worth The Owner Double Checking Directly With The Appropriate Department Rather Than Simply Relying Upon The Roofer For That Assurance And Any Required Paperwork Or Notice Period. Before The Work Begins.
Guttering
There Should Be A Careful Scan Around The Perimeter Of The Flat Roof And Any Associated Roof Details to ensure That There Are No Remaining Birds Nests, As This Material Has The Capacity To Catch Fire Easily. There Needs To Be A Thorough Periodic Search For Smouldering Embers As The The Work Progresses As They Can Be Small And Hard To Detect Yet Still Fanned By The Exposed Wind. Even With The Utmost Care There Is Always The Danger Of Fire Occurring Upon Or Adjacent To The Roof. Therefore It Is Necessary To Have A Fire Extinguisher Within Easy Reach To Deal Effectively With Any Unforeseen Event. The Best Type Of Fire Extinguisher To Use Is The Carbon Dioxide Type Rather Than Powder-Based. They Are Both Effective, Bout The Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher Will Appear More Drama-Free Without Clouds Of Smoke-Like Powder To Emphasise The Event. In Practice Felt Is Rolled By The Operative Using Their Feet As They Use Their Hands To Heat In Front Of The Rolling Felt. Foot Ware Needs To Be As Flexible As Possible To Cope With The Need To Control The Felt Accurately So As To Keep It In Line. On The Other Hand There Is Significant Danger Of Direct Or Indirect Heat Transition From The
Heated Roof Surface
And The Torch Flame Itself, So Maximum Protection Against Heat Is Advisable. As The Arms And Hands Are The Most Readily Exposed To Heat The Choice Of Glove Can Be Important. The Operative Will Be Most Protected By Hessian Canvas Type Gloves Which Don’t Conduct Heat.
Roofing Safety
Rubber Gloves On The Other Hand Are At Danger Of Melting Onto The Skin Of The Hand. Protection for the person carrying out the work as always is of paramount importance.
Roofing Hazards
Real life experience has demonstrated that even time-served skilled professionals are capable of making errors which can expose them to significant dangers, through the use of powerful tool, heat and height. It is critically important to reduce as many factors as possible which may contribute towards unnecessary risk.