In the article “The
Concrete Advantage” from Green Rooftop website, Green Rooftops claims that
hydrophobic technology removes hazardous factors for users while assuring
monetary returns. Concrete green roofs are sturdy and does not degrade over
time. The article states that use of waterproof concrete has helped to defeat
the greatest disadvantage of green roofs by removing the element found most
speculative by handlers. Builders’ job are made easier since there is no use of
membranes, eliminating the detriments in the build-up. The task can be
accomplished quicker as there is no concrete-cure waiting time before inclusion
of the membrane, resulting in cost effectiveness for the user. Root barriers
are unnecessary as growth of roots are eradicated with the use of waterproof
concrete. The article also mentions that in the case where maintenance is
needed on the green roof, a simple inoculation of polyurethane grout can be
induced at the bottom, minimizing any harm towards the ecosystem.
The article explains
the positive effects and monetary value of using hydrophobic technology in
green rooftops. However, the lack of a Forschungsgesellschaft
Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftsbau (FLL) test to validate the information
from the article makes the article less than satisfactory to promote hydrophobic
technology within rooftops.
Green
Rooftops should have done a Forschungsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung
Landschaftsbau (FLL) test before publishing this article. The article mentioned
that no test have been done to substantiate the benefit of eliminating a root
barrier. In my opinion, I believe that the FLL test should have been done prior
to the publishing of the article “The Concrete Advantage”. To justify their
claims, Green Rooftops should have obtained a FLL test report from the Center
for Innovation and Technology Transfer (CRITT) Horticole and the Scientific and
Technical Center for Building, European notified body for construction products
(CSTB). The CRITT Horticole and the CSTB is a partnership program formed to
perform root resistance tests on waterproofing membranes according to the EN
13948 norm (Determination of resistance to root penetration). The FLL testing
techniques provides output which can be compared with preset reference values and
this will provide more valid justification to why hydrophobic technology is
better compared to the traditional roofing system. With this improvement done
to the article,I feel that users of green rooftops would be convinced to
upgrade their current rooftops to the use of hydrophobic technology.
References
Philippi, P. M.
(2002). Introduction to the German FLL-Guidelines for the Planning, Execution
and Upkeep of Green-Roof Sites. Retrieved from
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/IntroductiontotheGermanFLL2.pdf
Root resistance test
EN 13948 - FLL. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.critt-horticole.com/activite/root-resistance-test-en-13948-fll/
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