It’s impossible to predict whether your residential, commercial or corporate roofs will be able to withstand the rainy season and not leak. You will need waterproofing solutions for any roof type, flat or level. Not only does it protect your home from water damage, but waterproofing your roof also helps to resist debris from strong winds. We are here to help you waterproof your flat or levelled roof.
Waterproofing with Bitumen
Reinforced bitumen membranes are not your ordinary bitumen. This is one of three ways to waterproof a flat or levelled roof. Reinforced Bitumen is used for waterproofing purposes on many flat roofs as well as levelled roofs.
This involves placing two to three sheets of bitumen membrane on the roof surface and applying the torch-on technique. The bitumen waterproofing requires heat (gas torch), before it can be applied to a flat roof or level roof.
To make bitumen waterproof, most often the bitumen coatings are mixed with a polyester carrier. The Pour & Roll method is used by roofing professionals.
Liquid Waterproofing Method
This method is another of the three ways to waterproof flat roofs. It involves spraying or painting a specific paint on the roof. That’s why the name liquid waterproofing was created. The most common users of liquid waterproofing are flat roofs. Liquid waterproofing is primarily done with fibreglass, fleece and polyurethane membranes.
Professionals can apply liquid waterproofing to flat or levelled roofs in three ways: with a brush or spray or a roller. There are two types of liquid waterproofing membranes: water-based and one that is solvent-based. This is a great waterproofing method for roof edges and surfaces that are difficult to reach.
Single-Ply Waterproofing Membranes
Last but not least, the single-ply waterproofing materials. Waterproof a flat or level roof.
These are the 5 main types of Single-ply membranes:
- Thermoplastic Polyolefin, (TPO),
- Thermoplastic Polyolefin Elastomer (TPE),
- Polyisobutylene (PIB),
- Polyvinyl Chloride, (PVC),
- Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) – our favourite.
These single-ply membranes can be applied over flat or levelled roofs, commercial or residential.
These membranes can be applied in three ways: adhesion (or ballasting), and fastening. An adhesive is the best method of waterproofing a flat roof or level roof. It’s the most reliable and effective of all three methods.
Professionals use either screws or stone ballasts to fasten and ballast the membrane.
The EPDM waterproof membrane is extremely durable and can last for up to 50 years. It can also resist heat, puncture, and UV damage and is applied using a single application method.
