What You Need to Know About Waterproofing Your Roof

During the construction and maintenance of a building, the waterproofing of a roof can easily be overlooked. This is a potentially expensive and unsafe oversight. Most professionals in the industry agree that waterproofing your roof should never be taken for granted and should always be done correctly. When doing this, many factors are considered including the quality of the waterproofing material and its utility in roof waterproofing. In addition to that, it is wise to understand the process of roof waterproofing if it is to be done correctly.

Whether you are renovating a home or building one from scratch, roof waterproofing should therefore be one of the key issues influencing the overall structural stability of the building. This is so important that many civil authorities have detailed guidelines regarding how the waterproofing needs to be done to keep the occupants safe. Some of the factors that you need to know when waterproofing your roof include:

Your Contractor Matters

You would be surprised by the difference in approach towards waterproofing that excellent and merely good contractors take. The former will look into minute details to make sure that the waterproofing is perfect, while the latter might take on a more laissez-faire approach to the project. You should choose a contractor who cares and who is willing to give you their best shot at waterproofing your roof.

The Waterproofing Should Match the Roof Surface

There are many types of roof waterproofing materials. The most crucial factor in choosing which to get is the roof surface the home or building has. The waterproofing material should be compatible with the roof surface, such that the former should not damage the latter or vice versa. For example, using urethane rather than acrylic elastomeric might cause re-emulsification on a single-ply roof. A roof surface that has silicone might cause poor adhesion of the waterproofing material.

The Ability to Change Size

If a roof is made of certain materials, it is likely to change in length and breadth depending on the ambient temperature. The waterproofing material needs to accommodate this. This is particularly important when the roofing material has a high tendency to change in length, such as steel. the same can be said if the building is located in an area where the difference between the high and low temperatures is exceptionally large.

Good Waterproofing Material Should be Resistant to Abrasion

heavy rain and wind can result in abrasion of the waterproofing material. When living in an area where this is the norm, it should be resistant to this. Typically, these types of waterproofing materials are resistant to objects such as nails and screws falling on them during construction. This means that they can withstand weather as adverse as hail without springing a leak.

To find out which waterproofing material you should get and for proper installation, feel free to contact us today.