Heritage Trust Roof Remediation - Case Study

Project:

Heritage Trust Roof Remediation

Location:

Stoke-on-Trent

In Brief:

Based in Stoke-on-Trent, the Foresters Heritage Trust was established to ‘maintain the history of the Ancient Order of Foresters Friendly Society.’

Their work is a window on a bygone time. Before national insurance. Before the Great War. A time when small ‘collection societies’ rose across the country and members paid annual fees to receive a payout upon death.

Today, the Trust and its captivating museum are housed in Station Chambers, in Tunstall, Stoke. The building itself is rich in history, having once been home to the ‘Tunstall Benevolent Burial Society’ – a formative ‘collecting society’ – from 1910.

The impact of water ingress

As with most period properties, exposure to the harsh British elements and lack of regular maintenance takes a toll – usually resulting in costly repairs.

Station Chambers was no exception. Water ingress was creating significant damp issues within the building, not only threatening the museum and its artefacts but the building’s wider operation. Seeking resolution, the Trust contacted our Manchester office and requested our expertise.

Our survey identified notable leaks in two flat roof areas, as well as the parapets. The solution, while not overly complex – removing the roof covering and any damaged boards and timbers before re-roofing and finishing – was nonetheless a major piece of work.

Exceeding expectations

We tendered the project to three pre-qualified contractors, but despite the target figures we’d outlined, their quotes were markedly higher than the Trust’s budgets.

To support the Trust, we committed to finding a contractor that could deliver a compliant solution within budget. Our approach paid off. Not only did we secure an exceptional local roofer but also, when further damage to the roof was identified on the job, due to careful monitoring of the project, all works were competed ahead of schedule and within the original budget.

Post-completion review

Six months after completing the work, we returned to carry out a defect inspection. To our delight, not only had the roof remained watertight but the damp had dried out and the affected areas had been redecorated – breathing new life into the building, the museum, and the wonderful stories they share.

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