Howard Evans Roofing have recently completed the mastic asphalt works at The Balaji Temple, Oldbury.
From its humble roots, half a century ago, this steadily growing Hindu temple is now regarded as the largest of its kind in the UK and Europe. Each year, an increasing number of devotees and visitors, currently nearly half a million, visit the temple. Many visiting groups including over 10,000 students from schools, colleges, and University, come to the temple for guided tours.
The development of the complex is still continuing with plans for completing the processional way for the chariot, a dining hall, and to complete the extensive landscaping before a long-awaited Maha Kumbabishekam of Lord Venkateswara.
Howard Evans roofing have completed 2 phases of work over the last 12 months. The most recent project involved the remediation of 2 No Stairwell roofs. We allowed for the provision of scaffold access to one of the stairwells and the adaption of the existing scaffold access by the current scaffold supplier.
Our remit was to strip off the old felt roof consisting of failed torch on felt, OSB tongue and groove boards which had perished, followed by polystyrene boards too falls, as well as the vapour barrier.
Upon going down to concrete substrate we discovered water at least 10 inches deep obviously supporting Academy consultants report that the system had failed.
We then laid 1 layer of 1 sheathing felt to the concrete followed by laid IKO permascreed asphalt to falls. We installed a 140 powerdeck insulation with a 50mm infill asphalt to the surrounding perimeter as well as incorporating the gutter system to ensure there was no standing water.
We supplied and laid 2 coats of mastic asphalt to all flat areas. We then applied primer and eml drill and fixed into concrete vertical perimeter then applied 3 coats of mastic asphalt to all uprights. We then installed mastic asphalt fillets to finish.
Finally we applied 2 coats of white solar reflective which will future proof the works and protect for many decades to come offering the Temple a long term solution to their previous issues.
There were many challenges to this project, the most noteworthy being that half of the roofs were situated under statues making work very uncomfortable.
The sheer detail and build-up of the system involved was also very challenging but a challenge our skilled and experienced team met with determination and professionalism.
“IKO were originally approached by Mark Sulik of Academy Consultancy and Design Ltd. The proposal included the replacement of number of roofs to the Balaji Temple, Oldbury. IKO Permaphalt mastic asphalt was chosen for its longevity, application properties and seamless monolithic finish. SPV were the winning contractor. SPV’s attention to detail, application and finish should ensure many years of service.”
— Simon Downey
Area Business Manager, IKO Group Plc
