Securing Surfaces: Delving into the Process of Flat Roof Waterproofing

When it comes to building maintenance, the exterior is just as critically important as the interior. The exterior of your building is constantly at war with the elements, from salts on the winds, to heavy rains, there’s a multitude of other factors that can put stress on your building day in and day out. If you’re a property manager or building owner in South Florida, or another area that receives substantial rains, one of the essential pieces of building maintenance that you absolutely should be considering is building waterproofing.

Commercial waterproofing can make a significant difference in the structural integrity and health of your building, elongating its lifespan and thus pushing back potential replacements and repairs that can be costly. But what exactly is building waterproofing, and how does it work to protect your building?

Inspecting The Roof

The first step before waterproofing your building is to inspect the roof. This is especially important if you’ve noticed mold growth or general leaks here and there. These are telltale signs of water making their way through your building, which over time can lead to serious damage. A professional waterproofing company will be able to pinpoint the origin of leaks and repair them through the use of specialized equipment and training. This ensures your flat roof’s integrity from the start, before it’s ever waterproofed.

Spotting Existing Damage

There’s a few telltale signs of flat roof damage. Some of the most common include:

Pooling

After heavy downpours, pools of rain may form. While typical, especially in South Florida, this is a major issue should the pool last two days or longer after the last time it rained. This can mean that your flat roof is unable to shed water as intended, leading to water having the time to affect your flat roof and seep downwards.

Blistering

Another clear sign, blistering occurs when your roof loses its adhesion to the building. Air gets caught underneath, causing bubbling across the roof.

Cracking

Cracking, or “alligatoring”, occurs when your roof has been placed under serious duress from heavy environmental factors and debris. The surface will crack, appearing like the skin of an alligator.

How It Works

To properly waterproof and seal your building’s flat roof, you’ll need to one of the three core methods:

• Reinforced bitumen membranes: process of bonding two to three layers of bitumen across the flat roof, at which point a polyester carrier is combined to create a fully waterproof material.
• Liquid waterproofing: utilizes a special coating to fully weatherproofing your flat roof, lasting between 20-40 years before requiring a replacement.
• Single ply membranes: involves placing large sheets that are expertly fitted to the entire roof. Once laid down, the membrane is fastened down to the roof sheet, and a polyurethane adhesive is applied to ensure it’s secured.

Each process is incredibly technical and requires a deep understanding and knowledge, which is why when it comes to waterproofing your commercial flat roof, look no further than the highly experienced team at Deluxe Waterproofing. Our entire team works together to ensure a flawlessly installed flat roof waterproofing, protecting it for decades to come.

To learn more about how we can assist with waterproofing your flat roof, contact us today online or give us a call at (954) 623-3777.