The repair, maintain, improve market has seen a resurgence in recent years, with the roofing industry playing a key role. Wayne Angelo, Head of Sales for Roofing Distribution at Sika UK, discusses how with the right products, the trade can prepare for any eventuality, and prolong the life of the roof for years to come.
As the new build industry slows due to the current economic climate, the repair, maintain, improve (RMI) market has seen an increase in demand. Builders, property developers, and homeowners are shifting their focus to extending the life of existing buildings rather than installing new. Whether working on domestic housing stock, commercial refurbishments, or public sector assets, the RMI sector continues to offer strong opportunities, particularly when the work is done efficiently and with minimal disruption to occupants.
And while kitchens, windows, and bathrooms often get top billing, there’s one area that deserves more attention: the roof. Responsible for shielding against rain, UV rays, wind, and temperature fluctuations, the roof is a building’s first line of defence and one of its most vulnerable elements. Yet, too often, roofing maintenance is reactive, not proactive.
Neglecting the condition of the roof can lead to costly long-term issues, whereas one that is well-maintained can prolong the life of a building by decades. For professional builders in the RMI sector, roofing is not just repair work; it's risk management, asset protection, and value improvement all in one.
That’s where roof repair and maintenance solutions come into their own. Products such as Sika Evercryl and the Sika Black Jack range are designed to provide high-performance repair and protection in a simple, effective, and reliable way.
The RMI Opportunity: Quick Wins Start at the Top
The UK housing stock is aging, which means demand for roof repairs has increased. Many flat or pitched roofs are approaching their intended lifespan, but a full replacement is often unachievable for many.
Instead, cost-effective maintenance and targeted improvements are the go-to options. Builders need systems that can be applied quickly, yet still offer the same reliable performance they need to reduce the risk of future intervention.
A roof leak can be disastrous if not treated quickly, especially during wet weather, so the solution needs to be quick, effective and permanent.
Roof repair compounds, like Sika Evercryl One Coat, are the ideal solution to quick repairs. With no specialist equipment or training required, they can be used in wet conditions, meaning the weather needn’t be a barrier to work being carried out. What’s more, they provide instant waterproofing making them the ideal solution to reactive maintenance as well as planned upgrades.
The Power of Bitumen-Based Protection
For ongoing maintenance of roofs, bitumen-based coatings like those found in the Sika Black Jack range provide a deeper level of protection and surface restoration.
These heavy-duty coatings offer long-term resistance to water, UV damage, and temperature shifts—making them perfect for restoring aged felt roofs, sealing corrugated sheets, protecting flashings, and even renewing weathered metal cladding. Whether you’re refurbishing a garage roof, rejuvenating an industrial unit, or preparing social housing stock for winter, these coatings add an extra layer of assurance.
Builders often favour bitumen products in the RMI market because they:
- Extend the life of existing roofs without full removal
- Are cold-applied and flame-free for safer use
- Bond well to older, imperfect surfaces
- Deliver high resistance to standing water and cracking
- Can be used as part of a phased maintenance programme
- Used correctly, these bitumen-based systems allow properties to remain occupied during works—minimising disruption to tenants or businesses, while reducing the total cost of intervention.
Building Trust Through Better Maintenance
In the RMI sector, reputation is everything. Builders who can offer efficient, low-impact roofing solutions build long-term trust with clients, whether private homeowners, commercial operations, or local authorities.
There are many options on the market that help builders deliver fast, high-quality repairs without costly return visits. Their ability to respond to unpredictable conditions—be it weather, substrate type, or repair urgency—makes them ideal for everyday site challenges.
As reliability and performance remain key priorities, the RMI market increasingly values products that protect and preserve, not just replace. Roof coatings that extend service life support better energy efficiency, reduce waste, and offer real value to asset owners.
Whether it’s a short-term fix or a long-term improvement, roof maintenance is a cornerstone of any successful RMI strategy. With reliable products, builders are better equipped than ever to deliver high-performance, low-disruption roofing solutions that stand the test of time.
