The Pacific Northwest is known for having relentless rainstorms that can be pretty harsh. But it doesn’t take a big storm to cause significant water damage to your commercial roof. It can all start with a tiny leak that never gets fixed and eventually grows into a more expensive problem.
Waterproofing your rooftop is the best way to protect it from moisture and costly water damage. Whether your roof is sloped or flat, our team at AAA#1 Roofers can waterproof your roof and give you peace of mind.
Under normal circumstances, a sloped roof will guide water down into the gutters, where it will eventually drain into a drain field. However, when your gutters are clogged, or if there are piles of debris on your roof acting as a dam, sloped roofs can start to collect water, preventing it from flowing off of the roof. When water can’t flow off the slope of your roof into your gutters, it will start seeping into any cracks it can find, even if it’s just one tiny drop at at time.
If you have a flat roof, the water can collect on your rooftop in puddles and start seeping through the cracks, which will eventually damage the structure of your building. With enough water damage, the wood will start to rot. You can also end up with mold and mildew growing in the walls and on your roof’s plywood panels.
Having functional, clean gutters and getting regular roof inspections are your first lines of defense against water damage.
No matter what type of commercial roof you have, getting it waterproofed before the next big rainstorm hits is a wise move.
Not waterproofing your commercial rooftop will virtually guarantee that you’ll experience some kind of water damage either now or in the future. It’s just a matter of when. No matter how well-built, and no matter how premium the materials, no roof can withstand the elements forever. Over time, asphalt shingles wear down, break, and go missing. Flashing rusts and gets bent. Nails can lift and come loose. And leaks can start to show up in places you never expected.
When you waterproof your roof, you’re adding an extra layer of protection against the elements. Whether it’s a light rain, heavy rainstorm, or melting snow, a waterproofed roof stands a much higher chance at avoiding water damage.
At the root, what causes leaks for commercial roofs is usually poor drainage. Either the drainage system was improperly designed, or debris is blocking the natural flow of water through drains, gutters, and downspouts.
Collected debris creates an enormous problem when it starts to rain or snow starts to melt – the debris acts as a dam and the water has nowhere to go, and instead of just draining off the roof properly, it will pool.
If water starts leaking into your roof, the damage could become extensive before you even become aware of the issue. You may not even notice drops on the ceiling or water stains through the drywall right away. By the time you notice a stain or see a stream of water trickling down from a seam in the ceiling, it’s probably too late. It’s not too late to fix the leak, but by that point, the damage has been done.
Water damage to your roof can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs because you not only need to replace the damaged structure, drywall, and insulation, but you also need to pay for roof repairs. These are two separate expenses that can add up to well over $10,000 in some cases.
You can avoid preventable leaks that can turn into expensive nightmares simply by waterproofing your rooftop. It doesn’t take much time – sometimes it can be done in a single day. It’s a small investment that will provide significant protection for your property and preserve its value.
Waterproofing a commercial roof involves applying a waterproof membrane to the existing surface, and you have two main options: bituminous membrane sheets and polyurethane liquids.
If you have a low-sloped concrete roof, bituminous membrane sheets are an excellent choice for waterproofing. These sheets come in rolls and the material is a mixture of sticky organic liquids and asphalt. Bitumen membrane is unfolded and applied to the roof with a torch.
There are several key benefits to bituminous membrane waterproofing:
Bituminous waterproof material is made of three main layers: a polymer compound layer, a reinforcement layer, and a top layer.
The two main compound layers include Atactic Poly Propylene (APP Modified Bitumen) and Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS Modified Bitumen). APP has exceptional UV-and-heat-resistant properties, while the flexibility of SBS makes it perfect for roofs with unique shapes.
The reinforcement layer is usually made from either fiberglass or polyester.
Fiberglass excels at protecting concrete from water damage and protecting roofs in tropical climates.
Polyester adds extra strength to the membrane and is resistant to punctures and thermal shock.
There are five general materials to choose from for the top layer:
Polyurethane liquid membrane is great for waterproofing flat roofs because it’s easy to install. This material is applied as a thin primer with a top coating, using a trowel, spray, or roller. The durability of polyurethane varies based on the type of polymer. However, the average lifespan is around twenty years.
Here’s why people choose polyurethane liquid waterproofing:
How commercial waterproofing with a liquid membrane is done
There are five general steps to waterproofing a commercial building with a liquid membrane:
A waterproof membrane will adhere to your roof best when the surface is clean. The first step is to pressure-wash your rooftop and remove any debris or grease that might prevent the membrane from sticking to the surface.
A primer will help the membrane adhere better to the rooftop.
Certain components on the roof need to be treated before the waterproof membrane can be applied. For example, corners, wall-to-floor corners, pipes, drains, vents, and metal flashing terminations.
Once the rooftop is prepared, the liquid membrane is applied. At this stage, granules are often applied for buildings that require extra cooling,
After each phase is complete, the application will be inspected to ensure important details, like the primer’s coverage, rooftop detail treatments, and more.
There are four general steps to waterproofing a commercial building with a bituminous membrane:
The first step in applying a bituminous membrane is cleaning the roof. It also needs to be completely dry before the membrane can be applied. It’s best applied in warm weather
The bituminous rolls are then laid out in sheets, aligned properly, and wrinkles are smoothed as they are applied.
The application of the membranes involves torching them as they are laid down.
To avoid air gaps, the joints are inspected to ensure proper adhesion to the end laps of the membrane. When spaces are found, the sheets are lifted and reheated and resealed.
If you need waterproofing, contact us today at (253) 377-3800 and one of our expert roofers will get you a free estimate for your project. We have more than 38 years of experience and will know exactly what type of waterproofing method will best protect your commercial roof.
At AAA#1 Roofing, we strive to ensure our communities have safe and durable roofs to protect them from the elements. Don’t allow small issues to grow larger – take care of your roof maintenance needs now.
Contact us now at (253) 377-3800 to get a FREE roof inspection and repair estimate so you can have peace of mind knowing your roof is properly protecting your investment.