Liquid Roofing: Enhancing Roof Integrity
Liquid Roofing for GSK London
DVC Commercial Roofing Contractors are Quality Assured contractors for SIKA Liquid Plastics. In addition to our extensive product knowledge and experience, we have the right team to complete the project. Crucially we are following strict government guidelines and current heightened health and safety measures.
About GSK
DVC are proudly carrying out liquid roofing at Sir David Jack’s Research and Development site using SIKA Liquid Plastics. Located in London Ware, and owned by pharma giant GSK, the R&D site has significant importance in the UK supporting the global response to COVID-19.
Works will ensure continuous operation of the site and protection of the advanced sensitive equipment within the R&D labs whilst making the building watertight.
In total, GSK employs over 2000 people across manufacturing and R&D facilities in Ware, Hertfordshire, UK. GSK – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information, please visit us.
Roof Condition and Importance for GSK
Firstly, a visual and physical on-site survey covering an area of 5000m2 of composite steel sheets and asphalt identified the roof’s condition. Our team inspected the site using multiple technologies, core sampling and moisture probe analysis, to pinpoint the reliability of the existing waterproofing. Clearly, the waterproofing of the roof had reached the end of its service life, and water had infiltrated into the underlayer.
The integrity of the roof is business-critical for GSK, particularly as equipment within the building needs to be protected from water ingress or a damp and humid environment.
Liquid Roofing Contractors
In response to the requirement of a timely solution with minimum disruption, DVC introduced Sikalastic ® to compile a full specification to suit the client’s needs. Sika Liquid Plastics’ Decothane system was proposed, a system which meets especially high industry standards, is relatively quick to install, virtually odourless, and is cost-effective.
The solution includes encapsulating an area of 5000m2 of SIKA Liquid coatings to the existing roof sheets. The SIKA Liquid Plastics solution will eliminate the risk of leaks from an area of the roof that had previously proved problematic. Sikalastic ® Decothane provides the ideal waterproofing, protecting the building from unpredictable UK weather. A perfect option enabling a low-key project with no disruption!
GSK is an ongoing project; we are halfway through and on target for completion. The business-critical nature of the site has so-far created challenges in itself. We are working to strict 2-meter distances and to GSK’s essential work guidelines.
Notwithstanding these added difficulties, DVC is managing the process on-site with the highest levels of quality. Most importantly, with limited disruption to the everyday operation of the R&D labs.
Benefits of Sikalastic ® Decothane: Guarantees and Peace of Mind for GSK
The application of Sikalastic® Decothane not only provides a durable waterproofing solution but also offers GSK a 20-year guarantee against water ingress, providing unparalleled peace of mind. With DVC liquid roofing’s expertise and SIKA Liquid Plastics’ cutting-edge technology, GSK can confidently focus on advancing its mission of improving human life.
Looking for Liquid Roofing Services? Contact us today
Q&A: Liquid Roofing for GSK London
What was the GSK London roofing project about?
The project involved a 5000m² roof refurbishment at Sir David Jack’s Research and Development site in Ware, London, owned by GSK.
DVC Commercial Roofing Contractors carried out a full commercial flat roofing solution using SIKA Liquid Plastics systems, ensuring the building remained watertight and operational throughout the works.
This is a strong example of commercial roofing services delivered on a live pharmaceutical research site.
Why was a commercial roof replacement or refurbishment required?
A detailed commercial roof survey and commercial roof inspection revealed that the existing composite steel and asphalt system had reached the end of its service life.
Moisture probes, core sampling, and visual inspection confirmed:
- Water ingress beneath the waterproofing
- Breakdown of the existing membrane
- Risk to sensitive laboratory equipment
This is typical of projects requiring commercial flat roof replacement, commercial roof restoration, or commercial roof repair, especially in critical environments like healthcare and R&D facilities.
What roofing system was used on the GSK site?
The project used Sika Liquid Plastics Sikalastic® Decothane liquid roofing system, installed by DVC.
This system is widely used in:
- Commercial flat roof installations
- Commercial building flat roof services
- Industrial roofing services
- Roofing for healthcare buildings
It creates a seamless waterproof layer, making it ideal for flat commercial roof systems that require long-term durability.
What are the benefits of liquid roofing for commercial buildings?
The Sikalastic® Decothane system provided several advantages:
- Seamless waterproofing across 5000m²
- Minimal disruption to live operations
- Virtually odourless installation
- Suitable for sensitive environments (labs, healthcare, R&D)
- Long-term protection against UK weather conditions
It is especially effective for commercial flat roof refurbishment and commercial roof installations where downtime must be avoided.
How did DVC manage health and safety on a live site?
Because the site was operational, strict controls were enforced:
- 2-metre social distancing
- Compliance with government and GSK site rules
- Controlled access zones
- Phased installation to avoid disruption
This approach is typical for commercial flat roof contractors near me, especially when working on business-critical healthcare or research facilities.
What challenges were faced during the project?
Key challenges included:
- Working around active research laboratories
- Managing moisture-damaged roof sections
- Maintaining continuous site operations
- Weather exposure during phased installation
Despite this, the team successfully maintained progress on a commercial roof refurbishment services programme with no operational disruption.
What guarantee does the system provide?
The installed Sikalastic® Decothane system offers a 20-year guarantee against water ingress, providing long-term assurance for the client.
This makes it a strong option for:
- Commercial roofing replacement services
- Commercial flat roof repair strategies
- Commercial roof leak prevention systems
- Industrial flat roof protection
Does DVC work outside London?
Yes. While this project was in London, DVC also delivers nationwide services including:
- commercial roofing services Newcastle
- liquid roofing in Newcastle
- commercial flat roofing contractors in the North East
- industrial roofing and cladding Manchester
- commercial roof installations across the UK
This makes them a versatile commercial flat roof company with national coverage.
What types of commercial roofing does DVC Roofing specialise in?
DVC provides a full range of services including:
- Commercial flat roof replacement
- Commercial roof repair
- Commercial roof restoration
- Commercial roof surveys
- Commercial building flat roof services
- Flat roofing systems for commercial buildings
- Industrial flat roofing solutions
They are also experienced commercial flat roof specialists for complex, live-site environments.
Why is liquid roofing ideal for healthcare and R&D buildings?
Liquid roofing systems are ideal for environments like GSK because they:
- Prevent water ingress into sensitive equipment
- Allow phased installation with minimal disruption
- Adapt to complex roof structures
- Provide long-term durability and chemical resistance
This makes them highly suitable for roofing for healthcare buildings and high-value research sites.
