Author: Julian Prinsloo

Which Waterproofing Method Is Best For Your Roof Type?

If you’re looking for industrial waterproofing contractors to waterproof your roof, Roof Surgeon is your best choice. Not only do we deal with industrial clients, but we are also one of the best commercial waterproofing contractors in Johannesburg.

We are familiar with just about every type of roof and have the necessary skills, tools, and experience needed to expertly waterproof your building.

Let’s take a quick look at the three most common commercial and industrial roof types around Johannesburg and the best waterproofing methods for each.

Flat Roofs

Flat roofs made of concrete are a common choice for many buildings around Gauteng. They are cost-effective and provide additional usable space on top of the roof, which is partly why they’re so popular. It is in this space that many businesses might install HVAC units, satellite dishes and solar panels.

To waterproof a flat roof, the best option is to apply bitumen membrane waterproofing using the torch-on method, which provides a continuous, seamless layer of protection. Once this is applied, an aluminium coating should be added to provide sun protection.

This durable waterproofing method can withstand intense sun exposure throughout the summer months while simultaneously standing strong against leaks and water ingress.

Metal Roofs

Corrugated metal roofs of various kinds are widely found among commercial and industrial buildings in most South African metropolitan areas. They are relatively affordable, extremely durable, and last a long time if well maintained.

The best waterproofing method for metal roofs is to use an acrylic or polyurethane coating. Polyurethane or acrylic coatings provide a non-porous membrane that offers great flexibility, excellent UV resistance, and strong adhesion.

Not only do these coatings waterproof metal roofing very effectively, but they also prevent rust and corrosion. This is crucial for the longevity and integrity of metal roofs over time.

Tiled Roofs

Throughout Johannesburg, you’re likely to see a lot of pitched tiled roofs, usually using either corrugated concrete or terracotta tiles. While these are common in residential applications, they’re also widely used in commercial buildings as well, such as office parks and shopping centres.

The best way to seal this type of roof is through the use of cementitious sealant, commonly referred to as roof cement. This is applied as a coating to the roof and is highly effective in closing up any cracks or gaps that may have formed over time.

If you are looking for expert industrial waterproofing contractors in Johannesburg who can waterproof any type of roof the right way, contact us at Roof Surgeon today!

13 June 2024
Factors Affecting Your Roof’s Waterproofing Frequency

If you find yourself searching for “waterproofing contractors near me” far too often because your roof is frequently experiencing damage and leaks, then it might be worthwhile looking at some of the factors that are causing this.

Let’s take a look at a few factors that, as a home or business owner, you can directly affect to determine the frequency of waterproofing repairs.

Repairs, Maintenance, And Inspections

Carrying out regular roof maintenance will decrease the degree of waterproofing repairs that you need to implement.

This could include things like cleaning out your gutters, removing debris, inspecting for damage, and carrying out minor patch-ups on a regular basis. This can help you identify potential issues early on and prevent small leaks from turning into massive problems down the line.

Good maintenance can extend the lifespan of the roof and minimise the number of waterproofing repairs that you need to implement.

Addressing Drainage Issues

Maintaining adequate drainage on your roof is essential to avoiding water buildup and structural damage. This means clearing clogged gutters on a regular basis, installing gutter extensions, and correcting any slope or drainage problems if there are any.

Cutting away trees and foliage that drop debris on the roof and clog up the gutters can also help prevent drainage issues from occurring and reduce the incidence of gutter blockages.

Taking proactive measures to address drainage issues, such as installing gutter guards or regrading areas that have poor drainage, can help you minimise the need for frequent waterproofing.

Roof Material And Installation Quality

Having high-quality roofing materials installed correctly at the outset can make a massive difference to the degree of waterproofing that needs to be carried out over the life of the roof.

If you have a roof that was poorly installed and/or has low quality roofing materials, it might be worth your while to invest in hiring experienced professionals to redo the roof. They will refurbish the roof with more durable materials and install it more soundly to prevent the need for frequent waterproofing going forward.

Here at Roof Surgeon, we offer expert waterproofing services along with a wide array of other roof repair and installation services.

If you’ve been searching for “waterproofing contractors near me”, then contact us now. We’ll get the job done right!

22 April 2024
How Roof Care Keeps You Covered By Insurance (And Saves You Money!)

Keeping your roof in good condition by hiring commercial roof repair services to look after it for you can help save you a lot of money in the long term and keep your insurance coverage intact.

Regular Maintenance Can Prevent Damage

As they say, prevention is better than cure. Ensuring that your roof care routines are kept up to date means that you can help prevent small issues from turning into expensive problems. Carrying out regular inspections, replacing damaged tiles, repairing small issues, and cleaning gutters can help ensure that your roof remains intact for longer.

Avoiding maintenance will result in you running into expensive damage, leading to much larger and more costly repairs.

Insurance companies will also often reward proactive maintenance, giving you leverage to negotiate lower premiums or deductible reductions.

It Mitigates The Risk Of Weather-Related Claims

When your roof is well maintained, it is better equipped to withstand harsh weather conditions, such as storms, which are common during Gauteng summers. Such heavy rains, thunder storms, and hail can do significant damage to your roof if it is not properly looked after.

Therefore, by ensuring that your roof is in good condition, you can reduce the incidence of insurance claims. Generally, insurance providers will view those who implement good maintenance as being less risky, which might result in lower premiums.

Maintenance Validates Your Insurance Coverage

If you are extremely neglectful of roof maintenance, it could potentially lead to your insurance coverage being voided or your claims being denied. This is because, generally, insurance policies require a degree of reasonable maintenance to ensure that unnecessary claims are avoided.

If a roof failure occurs and expensive damage is incurred, the insurance company might refuse to cover the costs if negligence can be established. Therefore, implementing regular roof care is essential to ensuring that your insurance policy remains valid and intact, providing you with the necessary financial protection when it is most needed.

Here at Roof Surgeon, we offer commercial roof repair services to help you ensure that your roof remains in good condition for as long as possible. Contact us today to find out more about our services and how we can help you.

15 April 2024
Why DIY Roof Waterproofing Is A Recipe for Trouble

If you’ve noticed a leak in your roof and want to fix it, it might be tempting to attempt applying waterproofing solutions yourself. However, unless you have extensive experience and training in roofing, DIY waterproofing is not advisable.

Here are the reasons why:

Lack Of Professional Expertise

Professional contractors have the necessary experience to know exactly what materials to use in which circumstances and have the necessary experience to make these discernments. Properly waterproofing a roof requires a deep understanding of the different nuances of roofing materials, the way surface preparation should be handled, how to properly apply waterproofing agents, and which tools to use.

A proper waterproofing expert will have the necessary tools to do the job correctly and to ensure that the right materials are applied in the right manner.

Safety Concerns

Working on rooftops is inherently dangerous as it involves working at a height. Without the proper training and equipment for working high up, you could be at serious risk of falling, which can result in severe injuries or even death.

A professional contractor will be well-trained in work-at-height safety protocols and will have the necessary equipment. They’ll also know how to identify and avoid other hazards, such as unstable surfaces or electrical wiring.

Risk Of Costly Property Damage

If you try to waterproof your roof yourself and get it wrong, you could inadvertently cause expensive and extensive damage to your property.

Waterproofing is a critical part of ensuring that the structural integrity of your home remains intact, as leaks can cause water to seep into walls, ceilings, and more, leading to mould growth, mildew, rot, and the general deterioration of building materials.

These not only cause illness for inhabitants, but can also result in expensive repairs needing to be done to rectify the water damage and restore structural stability.

Therefore, investing in a professional roofer will ensure that the job is done correctly the first time, helping you to avoid costly damage to your property later down the line.

The team at Roof Surgeons is primed and ready to provide a world-class array of robust waterproofing solutions for your roof. Whether residential or commercial, we can get the job done right. Contact us today to request a quote!

25 March 2024
What Makes An MBA-Certified Roofer Different?

Getting an MBA-accredited roofing specialist to repair, maintain, or refurbish your roof is essential to ensuring high standards of quality workmanship and professionalism.

What Is A Master Builders Association (MBA)?

One of the primary functions of an MBA is to ensure that the reputation of the construction industry is maintained to a high standard, so as to ensure its growth and that of the whole economy.

Many countries have MBAs. In South Africa, the national MBA is called Master Builders South Africa and comprises several smaller member associations for different regions of the country. These include the MBA North (representing Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo), the MBA Eastern Cape, the MBA Free State, and the Kwa-Zulu Natal MBA, to name a few.

These associations all essentially do the same job for their jurisdictions, fulfilling various functions ranging from providing training and networking to providing legal support for those who are members.

Why Is An MBA-Accredited Roofer Different?

In South Africa, there are thousands of fly-by-night, self-styled handymen who may have had a bit of on-the-job training at some point and now sell their services – often for very low prices. While the low cost might seem attractive, you get what you pay for.

When it comes to roofing, these unaccredited handymen pose a serious risk to your home or business. Roofing that is done incorrectly can lead to seriously expensive damage later on. And what’s worse, you will never be able to hold the inept amateur roofer responsible, as he will be in the wind by then.

However, if you hire a professional MBA-accredited roofer, you know you’re getting someone with serious experience and verifiable expertise with a track record you can trust. This kind of roofer will follow industry best practices for both workmanship and safety, ensuring the job is done right.

What’s more, you’ll be able to hold them accountable if the job is not done right! So, you can rest easy knowing that your roof is in good hands.

Here at Roof Surgeon, we are proudly MBA-accredited roofing specialists with years of experience and a stellar reputation for delivering top-quality work. Contact us today for all of your roofing repair, maintenance, and refurbishment needs!

11 March 2024
How Proper Gutter Installation Protects Your Johannesburg Home

If you live in Gauteng, you know the fury and wonder of our summer rainstorms, which range from violent half-hour thundershowers to five-day-long gentle showers. To protect your home from suffering damage during the rainy season, proper gutter installation in Johannesburg is essential.

Let’s take a look at how a good gutter can help.

Protecting Your Home’s Foundations

When most people think of gutters, they most likely only consider how it will save their roofs from flooding. However, gutters also play an important role in directing water torrents away from your home’s foundations.

When water pours in one place consistently, it can erode the soil and begin to seep into the foundations. This can lead to erosion, cracks, and even structural damage forming over time.

This kind of damage can cause major structural instability in your house, which could lead to an eventual collapse if left unattended. Naturally, foundational damage is difficult to address and can result in enormously expensive repairs.

Preserving Your Garden

When you don’t have proper gutters installed, uncontrolled water flow from your home’s roof during rainstorms can lead to erosion and soil instability in your garden. When this happens, you undermine the ability of your garden to grow by depriving the beds of topsoil.

In the case of smaller plants, such soil erosion will simply cause them to become uprooted. In the case of larger plants, including trees, you risk causing structural instability, which can lead to trees toppling. This poses a significant safety hazard, risking injury or damage to your property.

Protecting Your Home’s Exterior

When water continually pours off your roof in an uncontrolled manner, it can cause significant damage to the exterior of your house. At best, it can cause your exterior walls to develop unsightly stains. At worst, it can cause your exterior walls to become sodden, leading to mould and structural instability.

Not having properly installed gutters can also result in water finding its way into gaps and cracks in the exterior, particularly around doors and windows. When this happens, your home’s interior can become flooded, causing water damage that is expensive and complicated to repair.

Hopefully, this article has highlighted why it’s so important to have proper gutter installation in Johannesburg to protect your home. Here at Roof Surgeon, we do the sealing and replacement of gutters and downpipes. Contact us now to get help.

26 February 2024
The Importance of Proper Ventilation for Your Roof: Tips and Best Practices

Roof ventilation in your industrial facility is essential for ensuring moisture control, temperature regulation, better indoor air quality, and prolonging the roof’s longevity.

As one of the leading roof contractors in Johannesburg, we here at Roof Surgeons have seen both excellent and terrible industrial roof ventilation, so we thought we’d share some best practices and tips to help you ensure that your roof ventilation is up to par.

Regular Maintenance Is Crucial

All too often, industrial roof ventilation installations are not properly maintained. Over time, roof ventilation vents can become blocked or damaged owing to their exposure to the elements and nature. Birds and rats could make nests in them, they could become clogged with leaves, or violent wind and rain could cause physical damage and rust.

This means that exterior ventilation installations need to be inspected regularly to ensure that everything is in good working order and that they’re not blocked up.

Seals Need To Be Checked And Repaired

Wherever ventilation installations are present on your facility’s roof, it’s critical to ensure that the seals around them are properly checked and maintained. These seals come loose and peel back over time due to exposure to the elements, and therefore need repairing and reapplication.

When seals around ventilation installations come loose, it allows water infiltration, air leakage, and the intrusion of pests or debris into the building’s interior. This can cause damage to the interior of your facility and compromise the effectiveness of the ventilation system.

Don’t Forget About Security

Sadly, crime in South Africa is a reality we all have to deal with. However, gates and burglar bars on the windows might not be enough to prevent intruders from getting into your facility if there is a way to access the building on the roof.

When installing roof ventilation, it’s important to ensure that it’s secure. Various ventilation solutions are available on the market that can ensure security while still providing ample airflow. Wind turbines, for example, are a popular and secure solution enjoyed by many businesses.

If your building cannot accommodate a wind turbine or if it has some other kind of opening for ventilation, ensure that it’s sealed off with a security mesh. Moreover, all ventilation structures should be installed using tamper-proof bolts.

Here at Roof Surgeons, we care about the integrity of your roof. As one of the leading roof contractors in Johannesburg, we can help you ensure that your ventilation solutions are properly sealed and maintained for maximum effectiveness. Contact us today!

19 February 2024
Elements To Include On Your Commercial Roof Inspection Checklist

Ensuring that your roof is in good condition is critical for ensuring that your facility doesn’t suffer from water damage during rainstorms. With the rainy season in full swing, it might be necessary to do a commercial roof inspection so that your business remains protected.

While you can do a rudimentary inspection yourself, it’s best that you call in a commercial roofing professional to do a proper job. By bringing an expert commercial roofing inspector in, you can ensure that any problems are identified early on and can be repaired before they cause additional damage. Working with a MBA (Master Builders Association) compliant Roofing Company, such as our team, leaves little room for uncertainty as MBAs only partner with reputable companies.

Here is a checklist of things that should be inspected when doing a commercial roof inspection.

Surface Condition

Whether your commercial roofing surface is made up of tiles, corrugated steel, or something else, the first point of call is to check for any visible signs of damage. Cracked or broken tiles and dented or damaged steel, among other things, need to be detected and their extent determined.

Roof Membrane Condition

Many commercial roofs use membranes. If these exhibit tears, punctures, or blisters, the roof might need repair, as the waterproofing might be compromised. It’s important to note these and address them as soon as possible.

Surrounding Vegetation

It is crucial to make sure that any trees and other vegetation that surround the building are trimmed back away from the building. Trees that hang over the roof can cause damage, particularly if a branch falls.

Flashing And Sealant Condition

Wherever there is flashing on edges, joins, and around penetrations, it is imperative to ensure that they remain intact. When flashings are compromised, leakages can quickly occur. The sealant used should be inspected to ensure that it is still in good condition.

Expansion Joints Condition

If the roof has expansion joints, these should be examined thoroughly to ensure that they are still properly waterproofed. These joints are prone to movement and are frequently weak points where leaks develop if not well-maintained.

For expert commercial roof inspections, contact us at Roof Surgeon today. We can send out a commercial roofing inspector to help determine with accuracy the extent of repairs needed to protect your business. Get a commercial roofing professional to check out your roof today!

28 January 2024
What Is Included in Roof Maintenance?

Roof maintenance is critical for ensuring the longevity of your roof. Your roof provides protection to your home or business against the elements, and when it fails, your property becomes exposed, leading to costly damage. What’s more, if roof maintenance is not carried out regularly, your insurance claims could be rejected when you try to claim.

Fortunately, leaks and collapses can be prevented, as well as the loss of insurance payouts, by making sure that you hire a professional roof maintenance service to identify issues and take appropriate action before they worsen.

Let’s take a brief look at what your typical roof maintenance in Johannesburg entails.

Visual Inspection

The first step in doing roof maintenance is to carry out a thorough visual inspection, noting any problem areas that require further investigation and extensive repairs. Things to look out for include broken or missing tiles, dents or ruptures in steel roofing, bubbling or tears in roofing membranes, compromised flashing, sagging, or visible wear.

Cleaning Gutters

Blocked gutters and drains can be a serious problem, causing water to pool up on the roof. When this happens, the roof wears more quickly, leading to potential problems with sagging or the waterproofing becoming compromised.

Check Flashing

Flashing around joins, corners, and penetrations is frequently subject to failure, so it should be checked carefully. Wherever the flashing has started coming loose or the sealant is deteriorating, it needs to be repaired promptly to prevent leaks.

Roof Coating Inspection

If you have a steel roof, it needs to be properly coated to prevent rust. Other types of roofing also often have a protective coating. These coatings need to be inspected to ensure that they haven’t started to wear away. If they are in bad shape, then it might be necessary to reapply the coating.

Check For Rust

If your roofing has metal components, such as bolts, they need to be checked for rust and corrosion. Steel roofs are particularly prone to rust. Any part of the roof that appears to be rusting needs to either be treated, coated, or removed and replaced if the rust is bad enough.

If you’re looking for expert roof maintenance services to ensure that your roof remains in good condition, then contact us at Roof Surgeon today. We provide roof maintenance in Johannesburg.

8 January 2024
Answering Common Waterproofing FAQs

With the rainy season upon us, many people are looking to fix leaks in their roofs. A water leak in your roof can lead to significant damage to your home and can result in issues like mould growth, structural deterioration, and compromised indoor air quality.

As you search for the best torch-on waterproofing contractors in Johannesburg to help you secure your roof against the rain, here are some commonly asked questions and answers regarding waterproofing.

Can I Waterproof My Roof Myself?

While it’s possible to do some minor repairs and maintenance tasks yourself, proper waterproofing should be done by professionals. Not only is working on the roof dangerous, but professionals possess the experience and expertise necessary to identify leak-related issues that might not be immediately obvious to the layperson.

Which Types Of Waterproofing Solutions Are Available?

The three most common and widely used roof waterproofing solutions in South Africa include torch-on waterproofing, bitumen sheeting, and polyurethane liquid membrane.

Polyurethane liquid membranes are highly effective but can be expensive and complicated to apply. These membranes are best suited for flat roofs and are not suitable for sloped roofs.

Bitumen waterproofing solutions are more cost-effective and have been proven to be highly durable. These membranes are applied using a torch, producing an effective seal that lasts.

Other waterproofing methods include cementitious waterproofing and sealants, which are generally used around joints, seams, and gaps.

How Often Should My Roof Be Waterproofed?

Generally, waterproofing can last several years at least. However, the rule of thumb is to conduct an inspection once a year, if possible, once the rainy season has passed.

Does Waterproofing Require Maintenance?

Most waterproofing solutions do not require any specific maintenance outside of generally ensuring that the roof is kept clean from debris and that the roofing membranes are repaired if damaged.

Is Waterproofing My Roof Rarely Necessary?

Waterproofing your roof is highly necessary, as water that seeps into the house can cause significant damage to your interior.

Even if the water leaks are not directly visible but remain trapped in the ceiling, they can still cause mould and mildew to grow, which can pose potentially serious health hazards for your family.

If you are looking for torch-on waterproofing contractors in Johannesburg who can ensure that your roof is free from leaks this summer, contact us at Roof Surgeon today.

29 December 2023