Surface: Guttering

Managing HSE on roof and gutter cleaning projects

Our team regularly carry out commercial roof cleaning projects which require a health and safety assessment regarding risks associated with working at height. A recent project involved cleaning both the roof and gutters of a large unit located in a retail park in Devon.

The corrugated low-pitch roof of the unit was surrounded by wide trough gutters. The roof had become discoloured due to organic growth including lichen which had started to develop on the roof, whilst the gutters had become blocked by luxuriant plant growth!

How gutters become Colonised by plants

Dirt, in this instance washed down from the low pitch roof, and debris such as leaves, accumulate and decompose in gutters creating an environment that is surprisingly favourable to plant growth. Then, seeds carried by the wind and birds, land, take root and grow.

When gutters become so blocked water drains very slowly resulting in the gutters flooding. This can lead to water sitting above the roofline and leaking into the property causing immediate and long-term damage. It also dramatically  increases the weight being held within the gutters which can also cause long-term issues to their structure.

Fast, efficient high quality cleaning

The first task was to clear the gutters before we could start to clean the roof. Once these were clear water could once again flow freely down away from the roof and the building. We then worked on the roof removing lichen and other organic matter to leave it looking sparkling clean (see pics below).

Health and Safety when working at height

As can often be the case, the cleaning element of this project was pretty straightforward. It was rather the proper management of health and safety with regards to high-level access and working at height that required our knowledge and experience.

Working on roofs is logically hazardous because it involves working at height. Roof work accounts for a quarter of all deaths in the construction industry – and not all people killed are roofers, many are maintenance workers such as ourselves.

A RIGOROUS APPROACH TO HSE

OneFifty takes Health and Safety extremely seriously and we are rigorous about following the latest HSE guidelines. Our qualified operatives are experienced in working at height and our work is all fully insured.

Fall Arrest systems

On this project we used a fall arrest system for additional security. The purpose of a fall arrest system is to protect a person if they fall by shortening the distance of the fall and preventing them from hitting the ground. It includes three key components; i.) a body harness and ii.) a connector which is securely fastened to iii.) a reliable anchor point.

All anchor points require an annual inspection and must have the ‘pass’ test date clearly displayed. On this project we used pre-installed anchor lines that been inspected and approved as safe to use.

If you would like to know more about roof cleaning, or any other high-level cleaning service, including testing fall arrest systems, please contact Max or Andy Morris on 0333 234 1445 or email and we’ll get back to you.

Render cleaning: a cost-effective alternative to painting cycles

When one of our existing clients got in touch to ask our advice on an alternative to entirely repainting a residential development, we knew just what would save them time and money.

Breaking the continuous loop of painting cycles

Building managers are often stuck in a continuous loop of painting cycles, trying to maintain a clean and tidy building – but this really isn’t necessary. Many blocks of apartments are rendered with monocouche render that has colour in its pigment, meaning it doesn’t need to be painted. Instead, regular exterior cleaning can leave it looking as good as new and significantly extend the time between painting cycles.

Even if building managers do decide to paint render, it’s important to have the surfaces professionally cleaned first to ensure organic matters like moss and algae that can dislodge the paint are thoroughly removed. That’s where we come in. Exterior building cleaning is incredibly cost effective, at just one third of the cost of repainting. We can entirely clean the exterior of a building with our dedicated equipment to ensure it looks pristine. If that hasn’t quite done the trick, however, the building is then already in the perfect state to be painted.

From the windows to the walls

For Dial Stone Court in Weybridge, Surrey, we embarked on a full project, which included render and brickwork cleaning, window cleaning, gutter maintenance and small repairs. We used steam cleaning to remove dirt, which appeared in patches and streaks across the exterior walls. As part of our gutter maintenance service, we investigated downpipes with a camera on a rod, to check for blockages and potential leaks, then cleared and repaired them.

As the client was so pleased with the result, they asked us to take care of the roof, which had become overgrown with moss. The moss was being swept by wind and rain into the gutters, causing blockages and unsightly stains. We scraped the moss away and used a biocide to penetrate the roof substrate to eliminate the spores to prevent regrowth.

Thanks to our specialist access equipment, including spiders that require very little floor space to operate, we were able to save the client £20,000 on scaffolding costs and caused minimal disruption to residents.

Experts in render cleaning

If you manage a residential or commercial development and want to save money on painting cycles, call Max or Andy Morris on 0333 234 1445 or email your enquiry. We can provide a full exterior cleaning service or carry out isolated cleans on exposed parts of a building to upkeep its appearance and the structural integrity of the exterior surfaces annually or at regular periods, to reduce the need for repainting.