CLADDING // CONCRETE // INSULATION // STEEL // THATCH // TIMBER // TRANSLUCENT // WATERPROOFING // COMPONENTS
FEATURES
Workers use burners to roll up ruberoid for waterproofing .
well as how to keep the maintenance of an “ Flat concrete roofs are often regarded as installed system in check . Anderson says ‘ the roofs that leak ’. However , to seal a there are essentially four common types of conventional screeded roof should not be roof finishes in South Africa : tiled roof , slate difficult . Prior to the onset of the rains , the roof , flat roof and ‘ tin ’ roof . flat roof area should be swept clean of
For tiled roofs , Anderson says all gutters wind-blown debris , the outlets cleared to should be cleared of debris and downpipes allow free flow of rain water . The internal checked to see if they are running freely . “ A angles , such as the joints between the wall visual inspection of the tiles would show and floor , are the most likely to leak so any cracked or broken tiles , which should these areas should be checked regularly . be replaced . Roof valleys should be
The lap joints of the bitumen membranes checked and cleaned to ensure free flow of also need to be evaluated every two years the rainwater . The ridge tiles should be by an approved waterproofing contractor inspected for displacement or cracking . to ensure the membrane laps have not
“ Tile cracks can be treated with a opened up . rubberised liquid bitumen emulsion , which “ The areas between the horizontal and must be used in conjunction with a good vertical interfaces should be checked for quality membrane which can be used to damage either through movement , or wear waterproof flashings , parapet walls , roofing and tear , and repaired with materials joints , laps and roof screws on corrugated compatible with the waterproofing system roofs . As most tiled roofs have parapet installed . The life cycle of a flat roof can be walls , the crowns of these walls should be extended by the application of a product examined for cracks in the plaster . which protects against UV attack and acts Deterioration of the wall will be speedy if as a thermal barrier by reflecting the rays of the correct actions are not taken .” the sun , thereby reducing the internal
Anderson says prior to the rains the temperature . The life cycle of a flat roof gutters of slate roofs should also be with a bitumen waterproofing membrane cleaned and downpipes checked . Valleys can be extended by coating the should be cleared of obstructions and waterproofing every two to three years ridges checked for displacement . A visual which will protect the bitumen membrane examination of the slate tiles should show from degradation from the UV rays ,” any cracked or broken slates and slippage highlights Anderson . or displacement . A slate roofing contractor For metal roofs , again , gutters and should inspect the integrity of the undertile membrane to ensure that the valleys cleaned and the ridges inspected .
downpipes should be cleaned regularly , the
membrane is still sound to prevent leaks . “ The wind can cause the sheets to move
Waterproofing Association of Gauteng
“
Environmentally sound products are changing the face of the waterproofing industry locally and internationally .”
– Donovan Slade , chairperson Waterproofing Association of Gauteng .
against the securing fasteners , widening the penetration and allowing water ingress . The lap joints , cross-lap joints and roofing bolts on metal roofs can be easily waterproofed ,” notes Anderson .
In terms of primers , there are numerous available for various substrates , says Slade . “ These primers have been especially formulated to be able to adhere and or penetrate onto or into the substrate . There is never a universal primer for all substrates . Ceramics and glass would have a different primer to a concrete substrate that is wet . It would be wise to consult with your supplier on what primer to use for whichever substrate ,” notes Slade .
Reshaping the waterproofing sector
In terms of the latest trends , Slade says the use of ‘ green ’ raw materials and application methods are changing how the systems process and last in the application . Faster , more safe , easier to use and environmentally sound products are changing the face of the waterproofing industry locally and internationally , adds Slade .
With the industry changing due to new innovation and the need to be more efficient and transparent , Slade says the future of waterproofing will be more of a regulated industry working towards a common standard of workmanship to ensure that the end customer receives the product that was sold to them , and that the life expectancy of the waterproofing system lives up to the guarantee . “ The industry would be managed by a national authoritive who has been tasked to govern and look after the industry for its members and invested parties ,” adds Slade .
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SEPTEMBER 2018