Tips for waterproofing a roof
Tip # 1 Ask your client about the use that the property will give you and what time of warranty requires This is the starting point to establish the range of materials suitable for what the client is looking for. It may be that the client is only in his position for a year because he has already moved and in that case it is a basic condition and not so durable.
Tip # 2 Check if it is a new roof or if it already has a waterproof system In new slabs most systems can be installed without problem, but in those that occupy a re-waterproofing or maintenance must take special care that the new system is compatible with the existing, or failing to completely scrape the material current until you reach the concrete slab.
Tip # 3 Check if the slab is flat or inclined Impervious emulsified systems are not suitable for a flat slab (either acrylic or asphalt) as the minimum ponding can re-emulsify the system. In these cases a prefabricated or polyurethane system is needed.
Tip # 4 Ask your client if the roof will have sporadic or continuous pedestrian traffic This variable is very important to determine if it is necessary to use a simple or reinforced system, or to include the design and installation of traffic corridors.
Tip # 5 Take into account the weather conditions of the place If you are going to work in a geographical area where cold weather or extreme heat predominates, you must use materials specially designed for these climatic conditions.
Tip # 6 Make sure that the roof surface is completely clean before you start working It is very important that in any system that is going to be installed, the concrete surface is healthy, free of grease, dust, loose parts or bad adhesion; the cracks are repaired, as well as the penetrations and downpipes are reinforced with bands of waterproof material and polyester fabric. In cases where there are major cavities or puddles, it is necessary to make a paste.
Tip # 7 Make sure you buy a good quality waterproofing from reliable manufacturers Each manufacturer performs laboratory tests to determine the life of their waterproof systems and based on these results the warranty period is established, and in turn based on this guarantee, future maintenance or renewals are calculated. It is important to mention that each manufacturer performs the same type of test to determine the guarantee of their product, but in what they differ is in the "safety mattress", that is, the ethical manufacturer carries out the test and if the results are stipulated that the material lasts outdoors for 5 years, manages a margin of safety, and instead of labeling with a 5 year warranty, it is labeled with 3 years. Manufacturers of low quality products and price do not use this margin and usually tag for 5 years. That is why it is important to look for and select waterproofing contractors that work with materials from ethical manufacturers. If you work with materials where the manufacturer did not use safety margin, it is very likely that maintenance or renewal of the waterproofing will be necessary well before the labeling warranty period.
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