University of the Arts

University of the Arts London were experiencing persistent leaks across a green roof at their Peckham student accommodation, causing repeated water ingress into rooms below. Despite attempts to address the leaks, the underlying cause was traced to failure beneath the green roof build-up — making a full strip and replacement the only viable long-term solution.

Exall Group were appointed to strip and remove the entire green roof system, comprising approximately 30 tonnes of accumulated soil, foliage and geotextile membrane. The removal operation required careful planning to manage the weight of material and logistics of getting it off the roof and disposed of responsibly. Once stripped back, the underlying felt roof was exposed and inspected.

Rather than a full felt replacement, Exall Group specified a Sikaplan SGK single ply membrane overlay — installed directly over the existing felt substrate. This approach avoided the cost and disruption of a full deck strip while delivering a high-performance, fully warranted waterproofing solution across the 150m² roof area.

The completed Sikaplan SGK installation carries a 20-year manufacturer warranty, giving University of the Arts London the long-term assurance their facilities team required. Works were completed in January 2026 with zero disruption to student accommodation below.