Case Study:Roofing Repairs: How We Identified Structural Issues Early and Protected a Residential Block in Reading

The Site

Located on Thorn Walk in Reading, this property is a five-storey brick residential block. Several of the flats have balconies and a raised paved courtyard. Spectrum was brought in to carry out roofing remedial works following reports of water ingress through one of these balconies.

The client for this project is a long-term client of ours, and we've supported them on a variety of residential properties over the years. Their team contacted us directly to investigate and resolve the leak, having confidence in our ability to manage access and carry out the repairs without disruption to residents.

The Problem

The original scope of works involved carrying out waterproof membrane and timber repairs across a 5m² area of a balcony. However, once we began lifting the slabs and examining the substrate below, it quickly became apparent that the underlying issues were more extensive. A lot more of the timber below the paving was rotted than originally expected, and we identified a further 25m² of timber substrate that would need repair, well beyond the initial scope.

Additionally, the rendered parapet walls surrounding the courtyard showed significant signs of delamination. The original cause of this was thought to be the rotted timber beneath the balcony. However, upon investigating further, we suspect further damage was caused by the lack of a damp-proof course (DPC) beneath the coping stones. Most of the wall’s render had delaminated and will need to be replaced at a later date.

Our Solution

Our team developed a two-stage strategy. First, we completed the urgent work that we had already scoped for:

• Carefully lifted and stored 30m² of paving slabs

• Carried out a detailed inspection of the full area by opening the waterproof membrane in multiple areas

• Replaced 5m² of degraded timber with treated timber boards

• Installed new membrane, bonding it seamlessly with the existing system to ensure watertightness

• Removed the failed render from the parapet wall and left the brickwork exposed, finishing with a breathable paint to maintain a consistent aesthetic
  
  

The remaining 25m² of damaged timber was logged and documented for future remedial works, allowing the client to plan a second phase of repair when they have the funds available to do so.

The Process

Spectrum operatives worked over four days to complete the original scope of stage one works. We produced a detailed report and photographic evidence for the client, helping them clearly visualise what had been completed and what still needed addressing.

One of the more unexpected discoveries during the project was the absence of a DPC beneath the coping stones on the parapet wall. This design flaw had caused long-term water ingress, leading to render degradation and the hidden spread of damp behind the membrane. These conditions would have gone unnoticed without our inspection-first approach.

The Result

With the most urgent membrane and timber repairs completed, this property now benefits from a structurally sound balcony roof and improved protection against water ingress. The client also received a scoped plan for the remaining 25m² of remedial work, giving them time to plan the next phase. The building’s overall structural health has improved, and residents can now safely enjoy their balconies once more.

Hidden structural issues can escalate fast, but catching them early, as we did here, can make all the difference.