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Welcome to the home of
GRP FLAT ROOF WATERPROOFING SYSTEMS
brought to you by
DBL Building Limited
We are pleased to present, what can perhaps be described as...
one of the most versatile products available on the market.
A product that offers superb performance in a number of applications where you need to either exclude or contain water. When selecting a covering for your flat roof, insist on the best. A product that has been BBA Approved and that is based on specifically modified roofing resins. Unfortunately general purpose resins are sometimes used, but these cannot be compared in terms of quality or durability.
 
What is top seal
THE FIRST CHOICE IN GRP ROOFING
IS TOPSEAL SYSTEMS
 
BBA CERTIFIED, 20-YEAR GUARANTEE, MAINTENANCE FREE, RESISTS HEAVY TRAFFICEASY TO SEAL AROUND COMPLEX SHAPES, HIGH SECURITY, COLD APPLIED & CURED FIRE RETARDENT
Topseal is a wet laid, GRP laminate made from cold applied, preaccelerated, unsaturated polyester resin solution in styrene reinforced with emulsion bound chopped strand mat. Finished with a pigmented polyster topcoat and cured with peroxide catalyst to give a monolithic, fully bonded GRP layer of either 450gm or 600gm glass content. What a mouthful.
In other words - Topseal is a layer of GRP laid to a prepared deck to form a waterproof layer that will last & last & last !
SO HOW DOES IT WORK ?
Topseal is a monolithic laminate that contains no welds or joints.
Designed to give MAXIMUM performance.
The Glassfibre layer is formed directly onto the new deck and bonds to the decking boards to form a fully bonded roof. In this example OSB Sterling Boards have been selected.
The monolithic skin or laminate contains no welds or glued joints. The entire roof surface and all the edge detail are formed in one continuous piece of GRP bonded to the roof deck and any associated structures. This means there are absolutely no joints to fail. All preformed details including outlets, edge trims, flashings etc are made from GRP so that there can be no difference in the rates of expansion. Because the roof laminate is fully bonded it can be applied to form a warm roof without the possibility of intersticial condensation.
We start with a typical roof of traditional felt over timber that has reached the end of its life. A roof that leaks and has already gone through systematic repair over the years to seal against leaks.We then form a completely new deck using sterling OSB3 conditioned boards. These tongue and grooved boards in 2400x600mm are laid to staggered joints to form a completely new decking
Once the entire roof area is decked we apply all the detail to the new roof. Fixing trims as required to form the first part of the monolithic Topseal roof system.Once all the trims are in place each joint is carefully laminated with GRP 450gm bandage to provide additional structural strength at all joints and roof detail.
The roof is finally sealed with a further coating of polyester topcoat. This is pigmented to improve both the final appearance of the roof and to seal the fibres in the surface against any water ingress. The topcoat can be pigmented in any colour, although we recommend a light grey colour to diminish thermal gain. The topcoat will also stop any UV transmission into the body of the GRP layer and allows additional coatings to be applied to provide a choice of finished textures.
Once the deck and trim details are completed the roof is laminated with Topseal.
Topseal resins are formulated for the job they have to do. They are more flexible than ordinary GRP polyesters, have low shrink characteristics (all polyesters shrink as they cure!) have low styrene emissions making them more environmentally friendly and safer to use. Topseal is a specially formulated roofing resin developed to provide a flexible high performance covering that will outperform the competition.
The secret is in the Polymer of which there are broadly two types.
THERMOSETS or THERMOPLASTICS
Thermoplastics.
Thermoplastic molecules generally polymerise end to end to form long chain molecules which will soften under heat. Hence the name thermoplastic. They are usually poor in their resistance to short wave radio wave radiation and will gradually degrade under prolonged UV radiation. Examples of Thermoplastics are Polyethylene, Polystyrene, Polypropylene, PVC, Saturated Polyesters and Nylon.
Thermosets.
Thermoset molecules generally polymerise accross the chain (cross linking) and end to end in order to form a 3D molecule which once polymerised cannot be softened or reworked with heat. Once polymerised they are intrinsically resistant to all forms of short wave radiation. Unsaturated polyesters are so good in this respect that they have been specified by BNFL for the encapsulation and disposal of Nuclear waste, when used as a polymer concrete. Examples of Thermosets are Unsaturated Polyesters, Polyurethanes, Phenolics and Epoxies.
Here's the difference. The Cross Linked Thermosets can clearly be seen on the right.
 
A Typical Polyester Molecule.
Topseal resin is a solution of unsaturated polyester resin in Styrene where both the Styrene and the Polyester cross link together as they cure, to form a 3D polymer of Polyester & Styrene whose properties may be tailored to optimise them for any application where weather resistance and a superb finished appearance are required. The Diagram above is what all the fuss is about.
Topseal offers one of the most comprehensive guarantees currently available for Flat Roofs. Our guarantee is a no quibble 20-year full guarantee, which can be called upon in the unlikely event that your roof should fail for what ever reason. In addition, we are also able to offer customers a manufacturer-backed warranty. Full details and a copy of the guarantee can be obtained from your local approved Topseal Contractor, or by telephoning our Harrogate Office on 01423 886495.
View Garantee click here
Questions & Answers
1. WHAT IS GLASS REINFORCED PLASTIC - "GRP"?
The glass is normally a mat of chopped glass fibres which is used to reinforce resin to make a structural "composite". This can be designed to suit almost any application.
2. WHAT IS POLYESTER RESIN?
There are a number of resins which may be used to bind the reinforcing glass together - for example, epoxies, polyurethanes, phenolics but polyesters are the most popular. This is because their properties can be easily modified, thus being easy to use at room temperature, and they are generally lower in cost than the alternative.
3. ARE POLYESTERS HAZARDOUS?
YES. They are classed as CAT 3.3 which means of relatively low hazard but that they need to be treated with care. Polyester resins are dissolved in styrene which is the source of the hazard. Styrene is inflammable (Flash Point 32 deg. C) and is classed as an irritant. Styrene has no known health effects associated with it but it has a very strong smell which most people can detect at very low levels. You should always use polyester resins in a well ventilated area.
4. DO I NEED ANY SPECIAL EQUIPMENT?
NO. You will need a mixing bucket to mix the hardener into the resin and paint brushes or rollers to apply the resin to the glassfibre. A special measuring dispenser for the hardener should be used in order to ensure accurate catalyst additions. The resin should always be mixed thoroughly once the catalyst has been added.
5. WHAT TYPE OF THINGS CAN I REPAIR?
ALMOST ANYHTING as long as it is clean and dry. Here's a list of some of the more popular repairs: TANKS, PIPES, ROOFS, VEHICLE BODIES, POND LININGS, FLOOR PATCHES, CLADDING, SIGNS, TOOL HANDLES, BOATS, GUTTERS, PLUMING AND MANY MORE ………….. CASTING APPLICATIONS Resins can also be filled with chalk or talc to make a resin "concrete" to cast a wide range of items - for example, CHESSMEN, FIGURINES, GARDEN FURNITURE AND DECORATIONS (TROUGHS), FLOORING SCREED, UNDERGROUND CABLE REPAIRS, CAR BODY FILLER PASTE, GROUTS, SIMULATED STONE AND MARBLE, BATHS AND SANITARY WARE.
6. HOW DO I APPLY IT?
To make any glassfibre items you will either need a mould to manufacture a new item (this can be as simple as a sheet of glass or melamine to make a flat panel) or a purpose-made glassfibre mould to make a boat or vehicle body or other complex moulding. The technique for all of these is always the same and specific advice can be found on this website.
7. HOW DO I REPAIR SOMETHING?
To repair anything, the glass and resin can be directly applied to the sub-straight to be repaired to form a structural weatherproof patch. For example, a pipe may be repaired by forming a glassfibre bandage around the hole or fracture. A tool handle may be repaired by forming a glassfibre sleeve or splint over the break. A water tank or boat hole may be repaired by forming a glassfibre patch over the damaged area. Details of how to do this can be found on this website.
8. WHEN CAN I NOT USE "GRP"?
In wet conditions. The resin will not cure or harden when mixed with water. The glassfibre must also be kept dry. In very cold conditions. The cure of the resin slows down as the temperature decreases. As the temperature approaches 0 deg.C, the cure will almost stop. You can adjust the level of hardener to compensate for this but resins should not be used below about 5 deg.C. On contaminated surfaces. The surface should always be clean and dry. Certain materials will poison the cure of the resin, in particular anything containing tar. For example, when lining a gutter which has been previously painted with bitumen, the surface should be sealed to ensure that the resin does not dissolve the underlying tar.
9. IN WHAT OPERATING CONDITIONS IS "GRP" UNSUITABLE?
In very hot conditions (above 100 deg.C). For example, a water boiler made from "GRP" would eventually fail. Special resins are needed for this type of application. For the same reason, a car exhaust system should not be repaired in "GRP". In highly alkaline conditions. Whilst "GRP" will withstand dilute chemicals, in particular acids, it will not tolerate prolonged immersions in highly alkaline environments.
10. HOW DURABLE IS GRP?
WE DO NOT KNOW! The oldest glassfibre laminates still in use were made in the late 1940's and 1950's. The oldest boats made from glassfibre are now over 50 years' old and no deterioration in the glassfibre can be found. We believe that an appropriately constructed glassfibre moulding will last in excess of 50 years. Where the glassfibre has been kept immersed in water, as in a boat hull, or exposed continuously to the elements, as in a boat deck, there is no evidence of deterioration of the laminate in either application.
11. WHAT IS THE APPEARANCE OF A GRP LAMINATE?
The surface finish and colour of a "GRP" laminate can be modified to simulate almost any appearance: shiny or matt, textured or smooth, any colour - including translucent finishes or metallic. Resins are already used commercially to manufacture synthetic marble, onyx, granite and any stone imaginable. "GRP" is also used for translucent roof lights and can be tinted to give the appearance of stained glass.
12. CAN I PAINT "GRP"?
YES but the surface will need to be clean and abraded before the paint will properly adhere to the surface.
13. HOW DO I DISPOSE OF "GRP"?
It is an inert material and can be easily disposed of but there are certain considerations. It should not be burned. The smoke is thick and black and has quite a strong smell. NB: Liquid resins must "always" be hardened before disposal. Once cured, they are inert and can be treated like any inert solid waste.
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