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As a leading flat roof membrane, a liquid roofing system is an excellent investment for any property manager or building owner. A quality liquid system provides seamless waterproofing protection which has the capability of performing for more than 20 years.
Despite being a durable roofing system and having the potential to have a service life spanning across decades. Liquid roofing systems do require regular maintenance. The reason for this is to make sure it continues to perform to its full potential. If this is not the case the liquid roofing membrane is not providing the maximum potential to the building. Below we have assembled some useful tips on how to maintain your liquid roofing system to maximise both its performance and service life.
However, like any roofing system, it requires regular maintenance to ensure that it continues to function effectively and provide protection to the building.
Here are some tips on how to maintain a liquid roofing system:
Tip 1: Schedule regular roof inspections. As with any other flat roof, liquid roofing systems all need to be inspected regularly. It is essential to schedule a flat roof survey to inspect the overall condition of the roof in to your diary. We recommend doing this at least twice a year. You may get away with once a year on a small domestic roof but on large commercial roof twice per year is the bare minimum. The best times to schedule these inspections is one during spring and once in the autumn. It is also highly advised to schedule an inspection in the aftermath of any extreme weather events. Examples of this could be after a severe storm or after heavy snowfall where snow has remained on the flat roof for a period of several days. Problems which are likely to be picked up on inspections are, debris on the roof, clogged guttering and splits or tears in the roofing membrane. Once any issues are identified it is vital to fix them immediately.
Tip 2: Make sure your roof is clean. As mentioned above debris is a common problem found on flat roofing. In the autumn, this is often found in the form of leaves. And after a storm this is often in the form of branches. Keeping the flat roof surface clean is essential for keeping a liquid roofing system in good working order. Do not wait for a roof inspection to tell you, there is a debris build up on your roof. If you identify any debris building up on your roof, sweep it off as soon as possible. The presence of debris causes water to pool and sit on the roofing membrane. Over time this will likely lead to water ingress and leaking.
Tip 3: If damage is identified act swiftly. Any damage found on a liquid roofing system must be fixed promptly. The most common type of damage to be found on a liquid roofing membrane are tears and cracks. These are more common on flat roofs which withstand heavy use, such as loading bays. Fortunately, liquid roof repairs are easily carried out and are not disruptive to the functioning of the building. It is important to find a reputable roofing contractor who has a good knowledge of liquid products to ensure the repair is finished to a high standard.
Tip 4: Ensure the flat roof drainage system is in good order. Effective drainage is a key factor in ensuring a liquid roofing system functions correctly for the duration of its service life. If drainage ceases to operate efficiently water can begin to pool on the roof. This can lead to the membrane breaking down over time. The consequence of this would be water ingress then leaks. The way in which to prevent pooling water due to drainage issues is to regularly clear gutters and downspouts of any debris. And testing the drainage system is functioning properly. If there are any issues with the drainage systems such as blockages they should be rectified promptly. It must be noted drainage issues would cause problems for any flat roof. And this problem is not just unique to liquid roofing systems.
Tip 5: Schedule regular roof maintenance. As mentioned above regular roof inspections are vital to the longevity of a liquid roofing system. The same can be said of regular roof maintenance. This includes roof sweeping, re-applying a top coat if it becomes worn down for heavy traffic and checking for defects. The most common place you can find defects on a liquid roof are around the guttering, complex detailing and where the roofing system meets a wall.
Tip 6: Use a professional for any inspections. When getting your roof inspections conducted you should make sure you use a professional roofing contractor or a professional roofing surveyor. They will have an excellent knowledge of liquid roofing systems and flat roofs. This will enable them to find problems which a standard surveyor may not find. Not only this they will be able to advise you on the most cost effective way to remedy any issues found. And give you advice on how to maximise the service life of your roof.
Although some may find it a monotonous subject. The maintenance of a liquid roofing system is an essential component of having a roof which stands the test of time. By avoiding maintenance, the effectiveness of the waterproofing membrane will not be optimal. This in turn will lead to reduced protection for the building below.
To summarise successful maintenance of a liquid roofing system involves all the following; regular inspections using a professional, keeping the flat roof clean, carrying out repairs promptly, ensuring the flat roof drainage is operating as it should and scheduling in regular maintenance works (no matter how small). Following the 6 tips mentioned above will maximise the probability your liquid roofing system will hold up throughout its expected service life. And even possibly exceed it.
Maintenance of your liquid roofing system is an excellent investment for any property manager or building owner. And will pay dividends as time goes on.
If you are a building owner, contractor or property manager who would like any advice on the maintenance of liquid roofing systems, please do not hesitate to get in touch. You can contact us through our web form or by calling us on 01277 503 110, one of our liquid waterproofing specialists will be happy to assist you.
