Unilever, situated in the north-east of Leeds, is a substantial cosmetics factory and research site. It is the largest deodorants factory in Europe, supplying the whole of Europe.

The specification 

The site has an unusual roof comprising of eight sloped areas as well as flat areas of various sizes. The works requested by the client entailed stripping the existing single ply build-up, including vapour barrier and insulation, back to the profiled metal deck. This was to then be prepared ready to receive the new Bauder Single Ply Thermofol PVC system including an insulation upgrade to meet current building regulations.

Products applied

LiquiDETAIL:
A cold applied liquid fast curing waterproofing resin, for use on upstands and details. The product is a PMMA based resin that requires the addition of catalyst to trigger curing and is solvent, isocyanate and halogen free.

Project challenges

Part of the roof consisted of eight sloped areas of 715m² each at a pitch of more than 20 degrees. Bauder Approved Contractors had to take care when installing the systems. Guardrails around the perimeter were pre-existing.

Existing capping on the perimeter upstand on one roof area could not be removed as it was penetrated by the handrail fixing. To solve this challenge, pre-coated metal was installed over the existing details followed by application of LiquiDETAIL to ensure robust waterproofing.

The Unilever site at Seacroft falls under the UK’s Control of Major Accident Hazard (COMAH) regulations because of the flammable substances stored there. This means that the entire site operates very high health and safety standards, which all operatives had to comply to whilst onsite.

Watershed Roofing Ltd completed the works to a high standard working safely in the high-risk environment, including the installation of new rooflights.

BauderThermofol PVC Single Ply Waterproofing System