Roof Waterproofing and Coating Options to Discuss With Your Contractor

Construction & Contractors Blog

When your home's roof has shown obvious signs of leaks or water damage, you need to address this quickly. Ignoring the problem can mean damage to the building materials under the roof and the increased risk of mold growth. This can also mean risking your roof actually collapsing because of this damage. If the cost of an entirely new roof is out of your budget, you might consider having it repaired and then adding a type of waterproofing or coating over it; this can also be done to a roof before damage forms, to avoid the potential for water leaks. Note a few of your options for roof waterproofing and then discuss this possibility with a roofing contractor as needed.

Built-up or tar roofs

This is a common choice for waterproofing and strengthening roofs; it involves alternating layers of a waterproof membrane with a type of tar coating. It's very affordable, but is very difficult to install and has a very unpleasant smell that can be bothersome to many homeowners. It may also be too heavy for older homes that are prone to structural weakening.

Rubber coatings

These coatings have the advantage of allowing you to add them over your current roofing materials. They may be a substitute for when you cannot afford to replace damaged tiles and repair holes in the roof. Rubber coatings are usually just spread with a roller, but note that they are very thin so they may not provide as much long-term protection as other options.

Liquid coatings

Like rubber coatings, liquid coatings are applied with a roller and they then dry and provide a waterproof covering. However, you usually need to have your roof repaired of any holes and cracks before you can apply a liquid covering, or it may seep into those holes and cracks. The liquid coating can also be somewhat thin, so it may not provide protection for very many years.

Foam

Foam coatings are typically sprayed over your current roofing materials, and you may not need to make repairs to those materials before a foam is applied. They are very energy efficient and also very lightweight, so you don't need to worry about bracing up the roof even in an older home that may not have much structural strength. Foam sprays are very cost-effective and affordable and have a long lifespan, so they can be a good investment for long-term protection. It can also be applied in varying thicknesses, so you can ensure that damaged areas of your roof get added layers of roof waterproofing protection.

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22 June 2016