33-34 Nursery Road

Project Overview

Situated beneath a series of Victorian railway arches in Brixton, 33–34 Nursery Road is a commercial property that required a complete roof refurbishment following significant water ingress and deck deterioration. Henley’s Roofing appointed Axter on behalf of AW Rail Ltd to assess the existing bituminous cold roof and design a warm roof waterproofing system compliant with current Building Regulations and British Standards. The site presented unique challenges due to its restricted access and vaulted brick arch structure, requiring careful project planning and coordination.

Challenges

Axter’s roof condition survey identified several issues contributing to premature failure of the existing system:

• Rotten plywood deck and structural weakness caused by prolonged moisture exposure
• Absence of an air and vapour control layer (AVCL) resulting in interstitial condensation
• Poor thermal performance (U-value ≈ 0.35 W/m²K)
• Inadequate abutment detailing leading to water ingress at the party wall
• Blocked outlets causing localised ponding
• Upstand terminations below the recommended 150mm

Due to the extent of the damage, the roof was stripped back to the timber joists before a new warm roof system was installed.

Axter Solution

Axter designed a bespoke specification using the Starcoat PMMA cold-applied liquid waterproofing system. The new build-up included a full re-deck with 18mm OSB/3 and new timber kerb work, supporting a warm roof with 120mm PIR insulation to achieve a U-value of 0.18 W/m²K.

The Starcoat PMMA dual-layer waterproofing system provided a seamless finish, with contrasting walkway zones applied to ensure safe access. All upstands, rooflight details, and outlets were entirely encapsulated in liquid waterproofing for complete system continuity and long-term watertightness. The installation of high-visibility yellow walkways defined safe routes, ensuring visual safety under the archway conditions.

Results

The finished installation delivered a durable, compliant warm roof system with enhanced thermal performance and robust protection against water ingress. Axter’s cold-applied, rapid-curing PMMA technology ensured a flame-free installation with minimal disruption in the confined site.

Project outcomes:

• 25-year insurance-backed guarantee
• Thermal performance upgraded to 0.18 W/m²K
• Fire-safe, flame-free installation
• Improved access safety through clearly defined walkways

Providing quality, reliability, and expert support, Axter delivers technically advanced waterproofing systems designed for performance and longevity. With industry-leading materials and comprehensive guarantees, Axter provide roofing solutions built to last.

Discover why Axter is a trusted leader in flat roofing and waterproofing systems.

Learn more about Axter’s Flat Roof Refurbishment and Retrofit

For more information on how Axter’s roofing solutions can support your next project, please contact our team.

You may also like to read our other Axter Case Studies.