Design Buy Build Issue 42 2020 | Page 9

Structural Insulated Panels Repair and Maintenance of SIPs As with any construction method, the long-term performance of the building will be largely dependent on repair and maintenance as necessary. It is important to: • Regularly check and clean guttering and rainwater down pipes. This ensures that water runoff is collected and diverted away from the building. • Flashings around the roof should be checked and repaired or replaced as required. • If the building is clad in render, any cracks or damage to the render should be repaired promptly. To be expected, the external build up is likely to wear out well in advance of a main SIPs structure. Because of the longevity and durability of SIPs, the strength of SIPs buildings are proving legendary around the globe. They can withstand hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes. Provided the installation remains weather-tight and all maintenance is carried out properly, a life of at least 60 years may be expected for SIPs buildings. Building quality Snagging could be a thing of the past for builders and contractors who use SIPs Resistance to airborne sound: Hemsec test data indicates that separating walls, with additional plasterboard and soundproof linings will provide excellent sound resistance. Longevity of Finished Buildings Before a SIPs building is constructed on-site, it is important that its component parts are packaged correctly and are transported and stored safely. Handling SIPs During construction, the SIP structure is likely to be exposed to poor weather conditions and may become wet. When general precautions are followed this is not an issue for SIPs. If any panels do get wet, it is important to ensure that they are allowed to dry thoroughly. Panels should not be tightly wrapped in plastic, but loosely covered to promote the movement of air and drying. 9 99% of home owners report snags and defects…. When we consider that in the 2019 Customer Satisfaction Survey by the NHBC shows that 99% of customers reported snags and defects in their home to their builders after moving in, quality is a big issue in the UK construction industry. 70% of those surveyed reported between six and fifteen problems, and more than a quarter of them (26%) reported more than 16 problems.