When you’re trying to manage a business, there is sometimes nothing more inconvenient than the roof springing a leak. Whether your building is for customers and stock, office spaces and tech equipment, or specialist heavy machinery, a leak can equal damage, expenses, and hassle.
Many believe that a leaking flat roof needs to be repaired or replaced, at great cost to the building owner, but fortunately, that isn’t always the case. In this article, we’ll discuss how liquid roof coating can often be used to repair a leaking roof to save you money, time, and stress.
In order to answer this question, it is first important to understand what a liquid roof is.
What is a liquid roof?
A liquid roof, or liquid roof coating, is a product used to add a durable, waterproof layer to a flat roof, acting as a protective membrane. As it is fluid, the product cures into a seamless layer, resulting in no gaps along edges, overlaps, or other roof contours that allow water to enter. It’s also easily applied around vents, draining points, and other roof features. The visual effect is similar to a well-applied coat of paint across the existing flat roof material, but the formula itself is thicker and designed to act as both a strengthening and defensive layer.
Liquid roof coating is often formulated with properties that allow it to flex. This means that the natural and subtle movements of the building over time won’t result in the liquid roof layer cracking or flaking. Instead, it will stretch and contract with the structure, maintaining its integrity and protective qualities.
How to identify whether a liquid roof coating can fix your leak
Whether a liquid roof coating can repair the leak depends entirely on the leak itself.
First, the location should be identified. If it’s surface-level damage, such as in flashing details, joints and seams, or the overall membrane, then liquid roofing could be the ideal solution. If the leak is caused by a hidden problem or structural damage, then liquid coating may not be sufficient.
Next, check the substrate. If the surface of your flat roof is sound and stable, a coating will adhere to it to help fix and prevent leaks. If the substrate is rotten or sagging, then it is likely past the point of getting leak-proof support from a roof coating. Look for large or numerous blisters in the material, as well as large cracks and peeling.
Finally, see if your roof allows for drainage. While a liquid roof coating can repair minor damage and leaks, if your flat roof suffers from ponding, then there is only so much the coating can do before the standing water causes damage. Ensure your building’s roof has low spots, unblocked and properly sized drains, or a slope to assist with drainage, allowing liquid roof coating to perform as it’s designed to.
While a liquid roof coating can repair many leaks, it cannot fix all types of roof damage. If your roof has suffered extensive damage, the structure or materials have lost their integrity, or the cracks or holes caused by the damage are too large, then a liquid roof coating will not be enough, and the roof will need to be repaired or replaced.
How liquid roof coatings work to repair leaks
A team of roof coating specialists will apply the liquid product onto your flat roof surface, which, once cured, will form a watertight barrier. Not only will joints and seams be covered in a continuous layer to prevent entry spots for water, but it will also adhere to and cover existing small cracks and corrosion damage. Water will be unable to penetrate the protective membrane, halting the existing leak or leaks. A professional roof coating system eliminates weak points often suffered by traditional flat roofing materials.
As well as sealing the damaged areas causing small leaks, an application of liquid roof coating supports and improves the durability and longevity of your roof. By doing so, you’re left with a roof that is better able to withstand damage that could cause future leaks. Roof coating products offer protection against corrosion, weather, UV damage, and general wear, ensuring your roof is leak-free for longer.
A strong, real-world example of liquid roofing in action is the work we did at the Birds Eye factory in Lowestoft, Suffolk. The existing felt coating was cracked and splitting, allowing water to ingress into the evaporation room below it. We pressure-washed the surface to clean it and remove all moss, algae, and vegetation, then applied a roof coating product by industry-leading manufacturers Tor-Coatings to seal the roof and stop the leaks.
Can you get a liquid roof coating instead of replacing a roof?
Unless the structure is no longer sound or the damage is significant, a liquid roof coating is the ideal solution to a leaking flat roof.
In many cases, a professional application of a high-performance liquid roof coating is a far more effective and economical alternative to getting your roof extensively repaired or entirely replaced. This is because liquid roof systems are applied straight onto the existing roof surface, leaving you without the burden of replacing the existing materials. A roof coating provides a strong and waterproof barrier to essentially renew the worn or damaged material.
Not only will it save you the cost of replacement, but it will also save a significant amount of time. Roof replacements are noisy, create waste, and require sites to be closed off and operations halted.
Roof coating, on the other hand, can generally be applied quickly and efficiently, causing minimal disruption to your business. At Cladspray, we’re also able to work around and outside of your operating hours to get the job done with zero knock-on effects to your customers or staff.
Liquid roof coating services from Cladspray
We carry out a free site visit and survey before working on your liquid roof solution. This is to ensure the correct system is chosen for your roof type and its condition. We deep-clean the roof with steaming, degreasing, and high-pressure washing equipment to give us an unspoiled surface to work with, then we repair any small damages that may need to be taken care of before application. The result you’ll be left with is a leak-free, waterproof roof with increased durability and longevity, requiring minimal maintenance and offering you peace of mind.
To arrange your free site visit by one of our experienced specialists, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
