Roof Repairs and Maintenance: St John’s Church

Client

St John’s Church

Duration

2 Days

Location

Hindley Wigan

Sector

Heritage

Orb Rope Access was appointed to complete several roof repairs and maintenance tasks on St John’s Church, Hindley.

The brief

Our rope access techniques were required to carry out lead flash repairs and slate repairs on the church roof, along with devegetation works and a gutter clean. We have worked for St John’s Church on previous occasions so were delighted to be asked to return to complete this work.

The building

St John’s Church at Hindley Green, Wigan, was built in 1899. The church is a busy hub for the local community. Due to the age of the building, our technicians used their vast experience of working on heritage sites to complete the project with sensitivity, without compromising their usual scrupulous approach to detail.

The work

Lead flashing had failed on one of the sloped roofs due to the loose mortar under the coping stones that had pushed the lead out. Lead flashing creates a watertight seal between the roof and other parts of the building such as chimneys and walls, so it is essential that it is fit for purpose and not prone to leaks.

Our IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) certified technicians used a throw line to gain access over the apex of the roof via catapult where weight trolleys were used as anchor points. They lowered to the ground all loose material and disposed of the damaged lead before repointing the coping stones and adding new flashing to the gable end of the building.

We fixed several slates that had broken or become loose to enhance the integrity of the roof.

A significant amount of vegetation had grown in awkward to reach spaces of the church. Some could be accessed using a ladder while reaching others required alternate rigging. We carried out devegetation of the church safely and efficiently using rope access techniques, and bagged and disposed of all materials appropriately.

While we were on site, the client asked us to clear out a gutter that had been a particular issue due to the trees located on the church grounds. As the team was already accessing the roof in that area, they gave the gutters a courtesy clean.

Orb Rope Access technicians were on site for two days to complete all elements of the project.

Benefits to the client

The client was delighted with the remedial work and maintenance that will help to protect the heritage building, and we hope to be of assistance again in the future.

Not long after our visit, St John’s had its quinquennial inspection. A quinquennial inspection is unique to churches. A qualified chartered surveyor conducts a survey every five years to evaluate the church’s current state of repair, if there have been any changes, if previous recommendations have been acted upon, and to identify any urgent repairs that are required.

The inspector contacted our director, Julie Lavery, and relayed her experience of rope access and how it would be beneficial for churches she inspects to use Orb Rope Access to reach difficult spaces for carrying out repairs, maintenance and other projects.

This is the second time we have used Orb for high-level work. We are very satisfied with the job done. The team arrived on site at exactly on time, kept me informed of progress and provided photographs of the completed work for my records. I would have no hesitation in using the company for future work.

Trevor John Fisher

Assistant Warden

What our clients say about us

Absolutely delighted with the outcome of the works, can't praise ORB highly enough for the all elements of the project, will certainly be using them again on any future projects.

The gutters on our building had not been cleaned for some years. In places they were choked with vegetation and this was causing water ingress into the building whenever we had heavy rain. Access, because of height was an issue. Orb Rope did a fantastic job and resolved the water ingress problem which had become a big concern. The technicians came when they said they would, carried out the work they said they would and left the area clean and tidy. The work was done promptly. We found the technicians knowledgeable and helpful. We would have no hesitation in recommending your company.

“Orb Rope Access have run several projects at Scarisbrick Hall. We have found them to be efficient, reliable and have completed their works on time and on budget. We would have no hesitation in recommending them. Well done Matt and team, keep up the good work.”

" I have worked with Matt and Orb since 2010, on many various tasks within the stadium and training ground, this includes floodlight painting and lamp changes, high level window cleaning, maintenance and repairs to various roofs to include tin, plastic and fiberglass roofs. The fitting of new high level signage and banners, and many other jobs. They helped to develop our rescue plan for our own engineers when working on the floodlights. They are always available when we have had storm damage, working well into the night to complete repairs. I would not hesitate to recommend them to any other company for any type of rope work/high level maintenance, and have done on several occasions. "

"Orb Rope Access have completed numerous projects at St Johns for the past 5 years; Including the reseal of the famous St Johns Beacon! I find them professional, reliable, and very financially competitive. They are a highly recommended contractor of mine and a joy to work with."

"Orb Rope Access were introduced to us as we required a high-level structural inspection solution. Given the nature of the project we needed a service partner who could provide excellent levels of safety coupled with knowledge and capability in delivering the standards we required. Orb didn’t fail to impress, there attention to detail and professionalism throughout the process was second to none."

"I have had the pleasure of working with Orb rope access on a few roofing projects now, and have to say that despite the difficult nature of the work that they do in terms of access they also have an ability to transfer that expertise and attention to detail to the work carried out on site. Top work from a top company!"

"Inleaf specialise in the design, installation and maintenance of living walls throughout the UK. Living walls, by their nature, often require specialist access for installation and maintenance and so we commonly work with Orb Rope Access to provide specialist advice and assistance with projects that require abseiling access. Orb Rope Access have always been friendly, straightforward and professional to deal with. We've found them to be 100% reliable and excellent at working closely with our team when on site, either following specific instructions or using their own initiative when required."

Here at Liverpool Cathedral , as you can guess there is a challenge to gain access to problems at height. We have used the services of ORB for several years now and they provide us with a professional and safe service which is beyond our means.

Before ORB came to us for roof work it was very difficult to find anyone who would go on the roof. Scaffolding is very expensive. The men who come to carry out the work are polite and a pleasure to deal with and St Oswald's are so grateful for their expertise.