Water damages are among the most common forms of property damage in both residential and commercial buildings. Often an afterthought for property owners due to the seemingly harmless appearance of water, it can be a hazard for the complacent. If you have never considered how to prevent water leakages to your building, then your roof is a good place to start.
The Vulnerability of Roofs to Water Leakages
Your building’s roof is possibly the most exposed surface of your building to weather elements. This includes an exposure to both rain and wind. As such, it should come as no surprise that it is a common suspect for water leakage entry points.
How do Roof Leakages Occur?
Roof leakages can occur in many different ways.
Commonly, a leak occurs when a crack or gap in the roof’s surface emerges. Typically caused either by internal heat expansion or by physical foreign debris damage, cracks allow water to leak into your building. Furthermore, as more time passes, chances are that these gaps will continually increase in size. As such, more water will flow into your building over time.
A second way in which gaps can be created would be when strong wind causes weak shingles in your roof to be blown off. When this happens, wide open gaps are created on your roof, allowing for water entry. One way for you to discover such exposure of your roof would be to look out for any fallen shingles in the surrounding area. This would indicate to you that your roof is now at risk of water seepage.
Formation of Ponds or Pools
Other than visible gaps in your roof’s surface, the formation of ponds or pools would also lead to roof leakages. When such ponds or pools occur, they exert a tremendous amount of stress on the waterproofing capabilities of your roof. Over time, water droplets or moisture will surely breach past any waterproof material or layers that you have.
Why then do ponds form and how can you prevent them?
Poor Fall Path Design
Fall paths refer to the pathways in which rain water take upon landing on your roof. When designed well, your fall paths will quickly guide water away from your roof. In doing so, its exposure to rainwater is minimalised. Conversely, if designed poorly, your roof will be exposed to water for extended periods. Worse yet, if the pathways lead to areas of accumulation, ponds will start to form.
Similarly, if foreign debris obstruct the designated fall paths, then water will be diverted from the paths or stuck at these points. Either way, the possibility of ponds appearing forming on your roof is increased.
Choked Gutters
A gutter is a channel for water discharge, commonly found on the edge of your roof. They help to collect water from all fall paths before channel and discharging it from the roof. An essential part of your roof’s defense against water penetration, gutters are prone to clogging by dry leaves, twigs, roots and flowers. Once choked, water cannot be discharged from your roof, and thus start to build up and exert pressure on your roof.
Keeping Gutters Free from Debris
A simple way to prevent roof leakages would be to keep your gutters free from debris. We recommend that you carry out routine inspections and cleaning of your gutter. In addition, after periods of heavy wind or storms, you should also check the gutter’s condition.
Install gutter guards
Gutter guards can be installed in order to reduce the rate in which debris build up in your gutter. Simply put, gutter guards are mesh fixed to prevent entry of dry leaves or twigs into the gutter. You can rest assured that with gutter guards, debris will not stop the flowing of runoff water. This in turn reduces the frequency of gutter cleaning required on your part.
Hanging gutters
When installing gutters, it is best to involve waterproofing professionals. With their expertise, a proper plan and construction for water exit paths can be created. Furthermore, the quality of handiwork and materials do matter given the amount of exposure these gutters have to the weather elements.
It is worth noting that gutters tend to become loose over time because of fascia problems, improper peaching as well as wear and tear. As such, proper maintenance needs to be carried out regularly.
Installing Waterproofing Membranes
The preferred method for waterproofing your property’s roof would be to install waterproofing membranes. As their name indicate, waterproofing membranes is a layer of material that prevents water from bypassing it. Multiple variations of waterproofing membranes exist, allowing for a wide application to different roof surfaces.
Sheet Waterproofing Membranes
Sheet waterproofing membranes are produced in standardised sheets of predefined dimensions and thickness. Waterproofing contractors are able to quickly apply this type of membrane by unrolling them and using a flame torch to apply the sheet’s adhesive to your roof’s surface. Comparing to other types of waterproofing methods, waterproofing sheets are relatively quick to apply and can cover large surfaces in a short time.
Liquid Waterproofing Membranes
In contrast, liquid waterproofing membranes are produced in liquid form. While it requires more time and expertise for its application, liquid membranes make up for it in terms of its flexibility. Being capable of being applied to any surface since liquid takes the form on its surroundings, liquid membranes are often used to seal smaller gaps or where there are roof protrusions.
Proof-Tech Offers Tailored Services for your Waterproofing Needs
With more than 20 years of experience in waterproofing, roofing repair and maintenance, Proof-Tech Waterproofing & Maintenance Pte Ltd has worked its way up to be the top and leading specialist contractor in Singapore.
With projects ranging from commercial to private landed properties, Proof-Tech is popularly known for its low price, affordable, cost effective yet high quality workmanship. Having more than 180 experienced professionals working round the clock, be it our sales team, customer service officers or operation staff, our response time to our respected clients is almost immediate.
