The other night I saw a storm like no other. Javelins of rain pierced the sky, while an astonishing display of lightening flashed between shower curtains of water.
Newbuilds (and Nice Heights is one) all have flat roofs. From what I’ve seen all flat roofs leak, and this one was no exception. It was as if the world was ending; the lights went out, the water was shut off and the lifts stopped working (presumably war, famine, pestilence and disease headed straight for Dovecot Towers.) The penthouses above me were deluged, as apart from being huge and expensive, they are directly under any leak (more of a Niagara, actually.)
The management company and concierge do their jobs properly, so cleaning and repairs began immediately - carpets were sorted with massive hair-driers. In Dovecot Towers, there was also a leak (the only disaster in that doom-laden block which didn’t affect me) but the management company’s impassioned response, was basically: “…tough.”
A friend lived in another jerry-built newbuild so bad he’s earned time off from purgatory. It had a sieve for a roof, but repairs were botched and piecemeal. There were constant leaks - well, more of a water feature, actually, but an evil one. He came home to find water bubbling through light-fittings, rotting the carpet and drenching his belongings. The people in the flat below had some much loved possessions destroyed.
Tired of spending his days wearing one of those zany umbrella hats, he consulted the letting agency (how sweet; I wonder if he also believes in fairies?) and asked for help. They did nothing. Exasperated and damp, he was forced to evacuate (in one of those inflatable emergency boats, I believe) ending up homeless and - ironically it must be said - sofa-surfing. The agency sternly insisted he was obliged to pay full rent, and unbelievably tried to keep his deposit.
Now, if I was building a structure with an eye its long-term future, I’d make sure the roof had an incline. Architecture follows fashion, and oddly enough, the current vogue is for a wedge-shaped outline, which looks odd (as if a giant has lopped off the top, like a boiled egg) but at least the torrents can flow safely away.
Could any architects reading (and I know you do) explain this affection for flatness? No matter how grand or humble the development, sooner or later, flat roofs leak - that’s just how it is, so why do we have them? Or perhaps we should ask builders about the porous roof thing. (Now there’s a lively can of worms – would you please be so kind as to pass the tin-opener?)
One fine clear night, from a vantage point high above the city, I could see the moon reflected in countless muddy puddles shimmering on a multitude of rooftops. It was beautiful, unexpected and eerie, but does it count as a plus side?
(NB: Another thing I like about Nice Heights. The response to the recent burglaries was to start a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. It just feels so grown-up.)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
12 comments:
Uncaring agencies eh? I remember them well. Jo and I were awoken one night by our shower screen literally exploding. There was glass everywhere. We found out that this had happened to other residents too which pointed to there being some sort of underlying structural problem with the building.
Obviously the agency wanted to charge us £250 to replace the screen.
Or there was the time when we lived in a flat with 'original wood flooring' (i.e. they had taken up the carpets and not replaced them) and we came home to find out that they were using an angle grinder downstairs and everything in our flat was covered with an inch thick layer of dust.
Agency response: "oh, well I think they're finished now anyway"
Anytime I ever pass either agency's offices for some reason the word 'firebomb' flashes through my mind.
Nothing surprises me anymore Ben. Except for the fact that here, the management company actually did what they are paid to do. But then, most residents are owner occupiers, not landless peasant scum. By the way: I hope you didn't pay up. Flat roofs, who oh why oh why...
Penny
I assume flat roofs (is rooves a word?) are used because they're initially cheap to install? Additionally it must be easier than coming up with some other type of architectural solution to what the roof will look like.
Surely a sloping roof would be a cost effective way of combatting expensive leaks? Or, as we used to have in the olden days, sloping roofs with a terrace? So many people have problems like this, especially when newbuilds are often so shoddily built.
Not an architect, but a well-built flat roof shouldn't leak. Sadly many flat roofs are not well-built - although most 'flat' roofs have a slight incline anyway. A decent flat roof shouldn't leak any more than a pitched one - it all depends on materials, finish, the quality of the job, all the things newbuilds aren't very good at...
I'm curious to know how this has been allowed to happen, but then even building inspectors can't be there during construction to ensure that everything on a roof is sealed and finished properly. Can they?
Oh dear oh dear. This is all beginning to really freak me out. I'm just beginning to look for a place for myself in Manchester, but having lived out of the country for a few years I seem to have lost touch with what is an acceptable level of living.
Wish me luck, I think I'm going to need it.
I've been lucky with this latest flat, but you have to be lucky, and look carefully. I do wish you luck. As I've said before, flathunting should be as simple as popping out for a paper and a pint of milk. There shouldn't be undiscovered nightmares. I'd say: be prepared to move if you are unhappy, and ask the right questions. But yes - you are going to need luck.
Penny
I'm actually a postgrad student, so I also have the option of looking at student accommodation.
I saw an ok little studio apartment yesterday, which was leased through the University - the cost? £170 a week. Mmmm.
Oddly enough, I've been collecting student rip-off/shanty-town-hovel stories. It might sound obvious, but have you tried the local papers, and college notice boards? That way you avoid (hiss!) letting agents. Good luck. Really; it's a nightmare. I've seen studios in Salford for £320 pcm. Let me know how you get on.
The only time this happened to me was in a cheapish hotel in Patong beach in Thailand. There was an explosion which I now know to be a pipe bursting. But interesting enough, a flat roof.
The problem I see from my limited view of the hastily thrown-together extension (which actually transforms my flat into a dark tunnel with a bedroom and bathroom at the other end) is the way is which the gutters are thrown on as an afterthought. Far bigger an afterthought since the tress from the hospice behind the street has managed to plant its seed in the gutters and they are entirely blocked by 7 or 8 miniature trees. It doesn't impact me, but means when it rains, large amounts of waters are rushed at fast speeds to my Ukrainian mafia neighbours downstairs. Luckily, the drainage is not quite overloaded there yet, so nobody drowns.
Not yet...(it's all the fault of that hospice, isn't it?)
Post a Comment