How to install Enviromat safely

1. How to install Enviromat safely – BE SAFE!

Enviromat can be quite heavy, especially when wet. A 1m x 2m roll can weigh as much as a grown man, so installing it is not a one person job. Take extra care if you are creating a green roof; before you order think about how you will get materials on to the roof and how you will stay safe while working at height.

2. Avoid Installing Enviromat directly on to soil

Weed seeds can be blown in on the wind or dropped by birds into sedum matting. During a summer drought, sedum plants will survive the dry weather but weeds whose roots can’t reach water in the soil will die out – saving you the trouble of weeding! Always put a layer of strong waterproof membrane (eg butyl pond liner) on to the soil before installing Enviromat.

3. Check that your building is suitable for a green roof

Load bearing capacity, slope and aspect are all vitally important. Your roof must have a load bearing capacity of at least 120Kg per square metre. (This includes ‘live loading’ such as a person walking on the roof for maintenance).

4. Install Enviromat on to a smooth surface

Enviromat must be in contact with the surface below at all times – any air pockets beneath the plants’ roots will lead to dead patches in your sedum matting. Enviromat will mould itself to gentle contours but it isn’t flexible enough to cope with sudden changes of incline – eg. corrugated tin.

5. On a flat surface (less than 3 degrees of slope) use drainage matting

Drainage mat is a special lightweight layer that sits beneath Enviromat to make sure the plants’ roots are never sitting in water. Sedum plants will not survive waterlogging.

6. Always use water retention matting

Sedum plants are drought tolerant, but they’re not drought proof. Water retention mat is a light weight, relatively inexpensive fleece that helps make sure that the plants have enough water to stay healthy and vigorous. Use water retention matting on top of drainage mat and immediately below Enviromat (or between waterproof membrane and Enviromat on a slope) If you are using Enviromat All-In-One the water retention matting is attached to the back of the sedum matting – so there is no need to add the extra layer – it’s a great time-saver!

7. On a slope of 10 degrees or more, irrigation should be available

This is just a precaution and unless the slope is very steep, irrigation is rarely needed. It’s enough to make sure you have a hosepipe that can reach your Enviromat if necessary.

8. Steer clear of having small pieces of Enviromat at the edge

They will dry out much faster than larger pieces – plan your project before you start.

9. Avoid walking or kneeling on the plants as you are installing them

In this way, they will settle in much faster.

10. Unfold flaps

Tucked beneath each piece of Enviromat is an extra flap of geotextile mat; unfold this and put the next piece of sedum mat on top of the flap – this will help to anchor your Enviromat.

11. Always feed and water your Enviromat as soon as it is installed

We recommend using our Sedum Fertiliser because it has the right balance of nutrients and it’s a granular feed so it’s easy to spread.