Simply put, green roofs are a system that is installed on an existing roof top covered by plants and other vegetation. Green roofs are becoming more and more common as society turns to being more environmentally mindful. Not to mention it is aesthetically pleasing. Although there are hundreds of benefits to having a green roof, the installation process is very involved. Even with a professional contractor. Whether the green roof is installed in a residential settlement or on a skyscraper in town, there are a few vital features to consider.

Green Roof Layers:

• Waterproofing layer: Of course this is the most important process. You need an additional waterproof and root-resistant layer installed to keep the roof structure undamaged and safe. A green roofing system that ends up leaking into the interior of the building can be detrimental to the structure and the people inside.
• Drainage & Filter layer: The excess water on the roof needs to escape somehow as standing water can cause a problem in the long term. Be sure that the roof outlets are always clear of dirt and debris. You can add pebbles at the entrance of the outlets to ensure no vegetation makes its way into the drainage system.
• Soil Profile Layer: The perfect substrate for a green roof consists of low, lightweight nutrients. It should have a ratio of 30 percentage organic material and 70 percentage inorganic material. Soil that is too heavy, will contribute to the heavy load on the roof which you want to avoid as much as possible.
  

 

• Vegetation Layer: Finally, the fun part. The type of plant you choose is dependent on whether you installed an extensive or intensive green roof. An extensive green roof plant choice(grasses, herbs, sedums) needs little to no maintenance with no irrigation system. An intensive green roof consists of vegetation(small trees and other deep rooting plant species) that needs professional maintenance and an irrigation system. You can tailor your choice to attract certain species of bird, bee or any other wildlife.

A Green Roof Note

A green roof naturally acts as an acoustic insulation, thermal insulation and fire retardation. Since the sun’s UV rays never get to reach your roof surface, the electricity used in your home decreases, saving you money!

We give the green roofing system two thumbs up! They have great benefits but if not installed correctly, this can be a very costly repair. Contact our team at Apex Waterproofing for any questions or queries. It pays to work with waterproofing and roofing professionals.

Firstly, you are not alone. We see this occurrence at least a few times a month, so it is a very common dilemma. Since both professions deal with water in different aspects, it can be difficult for clients to determine who to call first.

Ask The Following Questions:

1. When does it leak (only when it rains, all the time, only when water is running through the taps, only when there is a lot of wind driven rain etc)?
2. What is above the leak area (balcony, shower, roof)?
3. Is there water supply or drainage pipes in the vicinity? It is common to find damaged drainage pipes/down pipes that are built into the wall.
4. Are there aircon units in the vicinity? It is also common to find aircon condensation on ceilings, especially in a commercial setting.

Depending on the answers to the above-mentioned questions, the following steps will then need to be taken by a waterproofing professional:

• Flood testing the area from the lowest point to the highest point (balcony, roof, bathtub etc).
• If no leak is reproduced, at this stage we would recommend a plumber who would carry out one of 2 things; a pipe pressure test OR chopping to expose any underlying issues.

In our experience, this is the most thorough and cost-effective way to ascertain where your water ingress problem is situated. If it is not the waterproofing and is in fact plumbing, a waterproofing professional might still need to be hired in certain scenarios as the plumber would chop up any waterproofing that may have already been installed to get to the problem pipe (ie. Shower leaks, balcony leaks etc).

Our team not only offer free on-site inspections but we also compile detailed reports of what the cause is and what our tailor-made solution is to repair it. Contact us today and let us be of service to you.

As a homeowner, you have a lot of responsibilities when it comes to maintaining your house. Anything can go wrong at any time. One of the most common problems are leaking roofs.

Juggling buckets and emptying them every few minutes can be tiresome and frustrating. And what happens when you’re not home when heavy rain sets in? That’s right – water damage! Which translates to spending all your hard-earned money on new furniture, floors and roof repairs.

It’s very seldom that roof leaks are just that. In most cases, it’s a sign of something much bigger. Blocked gutters, loose or broken tiles, damaged flashings, unclipped metal roof sheets, damaged roof ridges or general poor installation of materials are all reasons why your roof is leaking

Dangers of a Leaking Roof

Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away. In fact, here are 4 ways a leaking roof can affect you:

Mould Growth

Mould can be found in any damp area and is extremely harmful to your health. If you have respiratory problems, it will worsen the symptoms. If you don’t, mould will ensure that you do. Moisture also attracts a large variety of bugs such as cockroaches, mold mites, camel crickets and millipedes.

Fire Hazard

If your electric cables are exposed in your ceiling, water damage can cause a short in the wires which could cause a full-blown fire.

Slip and Fall Hazard

Pooled water caused by a leak anywhere in your home can cause you to slip and hurt yourself. This is especially dangerous when children and the elderly are present.

Further Structural Damage

Of course if the roof leak is not attended to within a reasonable time, this WILL lead to further structural damage (rotten timber, plastic underlay damage, rust to metal roof frames, major ceiling board damage and wall damp to name a few).

My Roof Is Leaking What Should I Do

The solution to any roof leak is to get in touch with professional roof repair contractors as soon as possible. We offer reliable and affordable roof repairs in Sandton and surrounding areas. Our experienced roofing technicians will do a full roof inspection to find the cause of the leak so you can have peace of mind that the problem will be sorted out completely.

To prevent roof leaks in future, we strongly recommend you call us for a thorough roof inspection every 3 years to avoid any costly damage. Even if you do not detect a leak, it is important you keep up to date with the status of your roof. For more information or a free quote, get in touch today!

Roof insulation has many benefits but the most important one is that it keeps your home’s temperature comfortable and consistent. It will keep your home cool in summer warm during winter without using appliances.

Your home’s temperature varies from room to room. Thus, your heating or cooling system has to work harder to regulate temperature. This will increase your electricity bill significantly during peak summer and winter periods.

By regulating the temperature inside your home, you’ll decrease the strain on your appliances. Thus, saving money on electricity bills. You will also put less pressure on South Africa’s already weak electricity infrastructure by using less electricity. So win-win for everyone.

How Does Insulation Work?

Insulation works by blocking cold air from entering and warm air from escaping through your roof. It’s typical for South African homes to only have a thin ceiling. Which doesn’t do much when it comes to stopping unwanted air from entering or leaving your home. Insulation acts as a barrier between your roof and ceiling.

We Offer Professional Roof Insulation for Any Type of Roof

Whether your home has a tiled roof, metal roof or flat concrete roof, we have the right insulation solutions for you. We are true Isotherm experts and have many satisfied clients to show for it. Our helpful and friendly team is always ready to answer any questions you might have so you can make an informed decision.

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly insulation solution for your home or business, we can offer the best product on the market at an affordable rate. For more information or if you would like to book a consultation, speak to the team at Apex Waterproofing today!

Roof coatings are becoming more and more necessary due to their quick application and standard guarantee awards. A roof directly exposed to the elements experiences continual cyclic thermal movement as the roof material heats up and cools down during the day. Not only does this movement occur between night and day cycles, but also as a result of passing clouds, wind, rain and condensation. Here is a list of 5 great advantages to applying a heat barrier roof coating to your roof:

5 Benefits Of Heat Barrier Roof Coatings

Extended Roof Life

Roof coatings create a resilient barrier between the elements and your roof (be it metal, tiled, concrete, shingles). The right roof coating increases your roof’s waterproof quality guarding your roof from harmful sun rays, prevents UV damage, and reflects heat away from the roof’s surface. This increases the longevity of your roof while lowering roof maintenance expenses.

Reduced Cooling Costs

Lower roof’s surface temperature and decrease your home’s interior temperature by an average of 8 – 12 degrees Celsius! This happens in two distinct ways:

• A reflective roof coating when applied to roofs help reflect more sunlight from the surface reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the structure, which then translates into reduced energy cost.
• Quality roof coatings reflect damaging ultraviolet and infrared sunlight away from your building. This is called thermal emittance. Therefore, allowing for cooler roof and building temperatures.

Fade Resistance

Help your roof maintain its colour over time improving the overall look of your roof as it ages. Roof coatings are reflective. Therefore, the colour of the roof is maintained for a longer duration. Thus, making your roof look more appealing, as per the images below:

Lower Maintenance

Lower thermal expansion of the roof means less movement of fasteners, joins, overlaps and structural elements. Thus, resulting in extended maintenance intervals. Additionally, prolonged roof life.

Roof Type Application

Roof coatings can be applied on all of roof types. Metal roofs, asphalt roofs, composite roofs, galvanized metal roofs, wooden roofs, tiled roofs, concrete roofs and others.

Roof Coatings Professionals

For a free inspection from the best Roof Coating Company in Johannesburg, get in touch with us today! Our staff are ready to assist you with all your roof coating needs.

DPC (damp-proof course) in-between the brick work of a building during construction helps to prevent rising damp. However, older buildings do not have this system in place. Therefore, a chemical DPC can be injected to create a continuous chemical barrier against rising damp. Other than the costly and risky process of re-installing a physical DPC. Which would require the breaking down of the damp effected walls and re-building them to include DPC in-between the brick work. Chemical injections are the only method of DPC re-reinstatement that has stood the test of time.

DPC Inject Process

Once the plaster of the damp effected area is hacked off to expose bare brick, a series of holes are drilled into the brick work. The number and pattern of the holes is determined by the construction of the wall and its thickness. The plaster is then replaced with a waterproof salt retardant plaster before starting the process of acrylic and painting.

This system is normally best suited for brick or block buildings, as these types of structures are generally more stable. However, it may not be effective if any gaps are left in the wall construction. Or if gaps form over time with material deterioration.

Damp in some older buildings may be caused by a leak or a defect in the wall construction (such as a cracking, rather than by rising damp). Therefore it is important that any defects are identified and corrected prior to accepting the cost and disruption of chemical DPC injection.

If you are facing any damp related issues and you’re not sure how to choose the right treatment procedure, get in touch with the team at Apex Waterproofing and Damp Proofing Johannesburg for a free quote today!

Damp is a common problem and nearly always visible in old houses and buildings.

Damp In Office Buildings

When damp is present in your commercial building, you might be exposing staff or customers to the side effects of damp. This includes black mould which is harmful to your health. Unpleasant smells as well as ruined furniture. So, if you suspect that your commercial property has damp issues, what can you do about it?

Since there are various types of damp, each one of them has a unique treatment plan. Damp types include Rising damp, lateral (or penetrating) damp and condensation. Nearly all damp issues – around 75% – are caused by condensation. While condensation seems to be harmless, it can lead to serious health problems and property damage.

The first step to take is diagnosing damp problems. If you suspect your property has damp, the best thing to do is to get in touch with a qualified damp specialist. They will carry out a thorough survey to find the origin of your damp problem as well as determine a solution to eradicate it.

Who Is Responsible for Damp Treatment in Offices?

Depending on the terms of your lease agreement, the landlord or owner will be responsible. Especially if the damp is caused by structural problems. But whoever is responsible, damp is something that needs to be dealt with urgently. Related issues like wet and dry rot can be detrimental to the property’s structure and black mould can make your office building unsuitable for inhabitance if left untreated.

Your employees deserve to work in a safe and secure environment which is why damp treatment in offices is crucial if you find you have a damp problem. For more information or if you need a consultation and free quote, get in touch with the team at Apex Waterproofing today.

Shower Leak. A leaking shower not only does damage to your house, it can cause unwanted smells, damage to surrounding areas, dampness and attract insects and other pests that enjoy moisture. Apart from that, it is also hard to keep clean as dampness and leakage can cause a build-up of dirt and mould in grout and on walls, that is not a very attractive look and hard to remove.

Understanding why showers do leak and what warning signs to look out for if they do can help prevent a leaking shower and at the very least, identify a leaking shower in an early stage and act before too much damage is done.

What Are The Common Causes?

1. Building movement, which can cause cracks in walls. Every building has a natural movement due to temperature changes and changing weather conditions.
2. Low quality sealants and silicones used to seal the shower.
3. Cleaning products that break down the sealants and grout.
4. Space between wall and floor due to vibration in the shower walls caused by the shower door and because of natural building movement.
5. Incorrect or poor plumbing.
6. Failing of the waterproof membrane underneath your shower floor.
7. Lack of knowledge by contractors regarding waterproofing techniques
8. Poorly installed tiles.

How Will I Know My Shower Is Leaking?

Regular inspection of your wet areas is a great idea, as the sooner a leak is identified, the better. What sort of signs should I look out for?

1. Shower walls and grout have a build-up of mould.
2. Smell caused by rotting timber, damp walls and/or wet carpet/flooring
3. Paint flaking off walls and/or ceiling
4. Cracks in shower walls
5. Grout falling out/missing

If you have a suspicion that there might be a leak in your shower, don’t wait and give Apex Waterproofing a call on 078 456 3442 or click here for an obligation free quote and expert advice.

The history of waterproofing. A fight against the elements has been a constant battle for homeowners since the dawn of civilization. The history of waterproofing stretches as far back as 13,000 years and is considered the third oldest trade (behind masonry and carpentry).

The Agrarian Revolution

The Agrarian revolution saw a decrease in small hunter-gatherer groups as many formed larger social units and stayed in more permanent locations. This resulted in agriculture and thus excess grain from the harvests needed to be stored and protected from moisture. Waterproofing was necessary to protect the farmed produce in the rooms they were stored in.

The Neolithic Revolution

The Neolithic revolution saw the rise of water transportation to allow exploration, fishing and trading. The primitive boats were sealed with bitumen emulsion from the surface of peat bogs, ensuring they were waterproofed.

Egyptians

However, the most ingenious of all in the history of waterproofing were the ancient Egyptians. Around 3600 BC, the ancient Egyptians built the first monolithic structures, and The Great Pyramid of Giza remains the largest man-made masonry building in the world. In the 1970s, archaeologists exposed the original waterproofing on the limestone foundation blocks. A bitumen emulsion had been applied in coats with dry reed fibre applied in cross layers. Each year, the Nile would flood and surround the pyramid, yet when it was opened in the 1800s, the tombs were completely dry.

Despite Egyptians showing amazing waterproofing skills millenniums ago, waterproofing failures in the 21st century are widespread. They are the biggest problem facing the construction industry and cost hundreds of millions every year to repair.

Waterproofing Note

Nearly 80% of all complaints against builders relate to water penetration and the resulting damage, and the majority of these are because of their failure to waterproof effectively.

Let one of the best waterproofing companies around help you keep your home safe from water damage. If you would like to learn more about us then contact us today. There’s never any need to accept anything other than the very best when working with our team. We look forward to providing you with all the information needed to make a fully informed purchase decision. And to help you keep your home water damage-free for many, many years to come.

Roof waterproofing contractors, or contractors in general have a bad name because of a few rotten apples. There are some rules to adhere to when hiring a contractor. You have to research them thoroughly before you sign on the dotted line to ensure they are who they say they are. Also, it’s never a good idea to choose the cheapest quote. Chances are shortcuts will be taken to recoup lost money and you’ll be at the receiving end of it. Here’s why you should consider hiring a professional waterproofing contractor instead.

1. It’s Not as Expensive as You Might Think

It is a common misconception that hiring any type of contractor is expensive when in fact, the opposite is true. If your waterproofing contractor has a solid reputation, their rates will be in line with their competitors. When attempting a DIY roof waterproofing project, you will pay consumer prices for materials while professional contractors pay much less. You’ll also have to rent or buy the equipment needed to complete the project. Contractors already own them. Fact is that hiring professional waterproofing contractors will be much cheaper in the long run.

2. You’ll Get Better Results

How much do you really know about roof waterproofing? Have you done it before? It might seem like an easy job but specific skills are needed to successfully finish the project. If you’re not into wasting money on failed attempts of waterproofing your roof, it’s best to hire a professional right from the start.

3. The Job Will Actually Get Done

Procrastination my old friend. You know what I’m talking about. By hiring a professional you know the waterproofing project will be completed in a few days and you don’t have to lift a finger to get it done.

For more information about roof waterproofing or if you require a free consultation and quote, get in touch with us today!