The men from Braga
It has been a challenge to find a company of good quality and trust to come and make our roof waterproof. Not just the usual waterproof, but with a material that is relatively unknown here, and mainly used for large buildings.
EPDM
EPDM is a synthetic rubber. It does not contain chloride, plasticizers, or halogens. It is very resistant for ozone and UV light. Therefore it is quality guaranteed for at least 40 years, which is an environment friendly solution.
The gentlemen are quite surprised we want to put this material on the roof of a private residence. They are not used to it. But they are also very happy with the water overflows we have created. This should be an obligation for every building, their foreman says.
Bruno, Sérgio, Duarte, André, Ricardo
It terms of planning and coordination it was a challenge to get this bunch of guys from DetalheDiverno down here. Their home base, the city of Braga, is at 300 kms further north. It is a few days work for them. So they need to stay overnight somewhere and plan their work in range with other projects in this middle region of the country. The material itself had to be ordered in time, and comes from Spain. ‘In time‘ does have a wild variety of interpretations in Portugal, so this was another challenge for our patience and stress levels. To put it mildly. But finally, they are here, and they work constantly, in a period of time where Dutch builders would have their yearly summer recess.
It seems difficult, but it is not easy!
“Parece muito difícil mas não é fácil!” We’ll chisel this brilliant phrase in a Portuguese tile… The men from Braga work very hard. The EPDM material comes in heavy rolls of 97 kilos each. With some co-work and coordination they are able to lift them all to the roof via the not too steady scaffolding.
Next unroll, pull the heavy layer into position and cut the edges so that an upstanding side remains. The layers are stuck together with a special glue. And then more puzzling, cutting, sticking and so on for the small sides, edges and overflows. In the burning heat. Luckily they don’t have to work with burners in this fire sensitive climate. Onwards, to cover the eaves of the roof as well. The carpenter installed a waterproof layer of plywood on the eaves. Now the EPDM has a solid base for attachment.
Waterproof
The small building receives the same luxury treatment. The workers think this is a waste and unnecessary. But we have come across so many garages and sheds, where you can hardly keep anything because it is too damp, cold, hot or molded inside. So, by the end of the week we are very happy to confirm that both our roofs are now closed and waterproof. And summer is not even over yet!
