Benefits Of Roof Waterproofing

Long-Term Benefits of Roof Waterproofing

If you think roof waterproofing is a waste of money, think again. Yes, we realise that consumers get scammed into spending money on useless services and products all the time because of clever marketing strategies but this is not one of those tactics. Waterproofing your roof offers many benefits and even if it requires an investment on your part, should be seriously considered. Here’s some benefits on roof waterproofing:

1. Roof Waterproofing Will Save You Money in the Long Run

Water leaks, if left untreated, can cause serious structural damage. By waterproofing your roof you will save time and money as well as the inconvenience of replacing rotting roof trusses, allowing you to live with a higher level of security and comfort.

2. Roof Waterproofing Will Increase the Value of Your Property

By taking the necessary precautions to protect your home from water damage, you will also increase its value. Excess moisture causes damp and damp is tenacious. If not taken care of quickly and properly, the problem will persist. When you use professionals like Apex Waterproofing for damp proofing your home and waterproofing your roof, potential buyers will be more comfortable with their purchase, and more willing to pay what you ask.

3. Roof Waterproofing Will Decrease the Risk of Health Issues Caused by Mould Growth

Did you know that damp in your home can have a negative effect on your health? If you or one of your family members suffer from allergies or asthma, damp will worsen the condition. If you already have mould growth in your home, once you get rid of it, everyone’s health will improve significantly.

As you can see, it is highly beneficial for you to waterproof your roof. For a free quote from the best Waterproofing Company in Johannesburg, get in touch with Apex Waterproofing today! Our staff are friendly and knowledgeable and ready to assist you with all your roof waterproofing needs.

Water Stains on Your Ceiling?

If you notice water stains on your ceilings, you need to act fast. Typically it suggests that water is entering your home through your roof. These stains are typically brown in colour and can cause significant damage to the structure of your home. It can also decrease your home’s indoor air quality and make your family sick.

Below are some reasons why you need to act right away when you notice water stains on your ceilings:

Ceilings Might Collapse and Water Damage Will Weaken Your Roof Structure

If your ceiling collapses, you’ll risk injuring yourself or one of your loved ones. Additionally, it can damage your furniture and end up costing you a lot of money. It will allow pests like rats and small insects to nest in your roof due to the dampness. Not to mention the high chance of having to fork out tens of thousands for a roof replacement.

Along with Water Damage Comes Damp and Mould Growth

You might think that mould is merely the cause of a musty smell and isn’t harmful, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Mould is toxic and can cause or worsen respiratory illnesses. Mould spores multiply extremely quickly and if you have water damage in your home, you’ll have a bigger problem on hands than you realise.

Don’t risk the well-being of yourself and your family by not taking care of water damage quickly. Waterproofing is a must to make sure you don’t have to deal with it again. If you wish to hire one of the best waterproofing companies in Johannesburg, speak to the team at Apex Waterproofing for a free consultation today!

3 Reasons You Have to Waterproof Your Home

What is Waterproofing?

Waterproofing is a process of making a structure waterproof or water resistant. Whenever you waterproof an object or structure, you follow a specific process in order to make it water-resistant. Thus, it will remain unaffected by water or the entry thereof. When you waterproof your home, you decrease the chances of water causing damage to your home.

waterproofing your home

Water or damp can be caused by many sources; rainwater leak into the roof, poor ventilation, a burst pipe or the absence of damp proof course. Below are the top 3 reasons why your home needs waterproofing:

It Will Cost You If You Don’t

The damage water can cause will blow your mind and leave your pockets empty. You might not have a problem now but it’s not to say you won’t have one come the next storm. Better be safe now than sorry later. Have your roof inspected prior to the first rains of the season to avoid this.

Avoid Health Hazards

Water and damp causes mould and bacteria growth. Mould isn’t only a sight for sore eyes, it’s bad for your health too. Excessive mould growth can cause respiratory issues and asthma. Especially in the elderly or individuals with weak immune systems.

Your Safety Could Be at Risk

Waterproofing defends the structural integrity of your home. Water can cause large foundation cracks or bowed walls which is extremely frustrating to repair. But it can be devastating to your home if ignored for a long time.

Water can become a property owner’s worst nightmare if you consider how water damage can affect your home or business. Don’t take chances when you hire a professional like Apex Waterproofing to waterproof your home. Get in touch with the team today!

Waterproofing Commercial Buildings

Waterproofing Commercial Buildings

Waterproofing commercial buildings is an absolute MUST. Waterproofing products have evolved tremendously in the last 30 years so the first thing to understand is the structure of a conventional corporate building, and which parts are most vulnerable to water damage:

  • Ponds & Fountains
  • Roofs, And Especially Flat Roofs Without Adequate Drainage Solutions
  • Balconies And Terraces
  • Water Tanks
  • Expansion Joints
  • Basements
  • Retaining Walls
  • Planter Boxes
  • Lift Pits
  • Cellars

When you are conducting a check, your focus should be on these areas. That does not mean you should neglect the rest of the building areas.

Why Does Your Commercial Building Need To Be Absolutely Waterproof?

  • Prevent loss of rent.
  • Prevent damage of property – the last thing you want as a building owner is to have your property uninhabitable.
  • Cockroaches, rats, and other pests are attracted to damp areas, which not only poses a major health risk for the occupants but also an ongoing cost for the owner, who must bring in exterminators.
  • The safety of your staff – As the building owner, you would be held liable for any damages or injuries incurred by your tenants or employees.
    • Mould and mildew can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems
    • If wiring is exposed to water due to insufficient waterproofing, a fire may break out or electrocution could occur.
    • Sagging ceilings and unsteady balconies can cause collapse and therefore major injuries may occur.
  • For structural reasons.
  • For hygiene reasons.

Preventative Checks

Regular, comprehensive check ups are absolute key for preventing a small leak or break from becoming a health hazard. As part of your regular workplace safety list, you should thoroughly check the entire building premises and fault points for any water ingress problems or any safety cautions.

Try to do a simple check biannually or whenever you feel that you haven’t for a while. Do a thorough check once per year at absolute minimum.

Being able to tell where water is seeping during heavy rains can be the only time certain cracks may manifest. Even during some lighter precipitation, there may not be enough water build up for areas to flood or to let in enough water through a small crack.

It’s a lot cheaper to fix an issue that hasn’t formed yet, and even more so when it comes to waterproofing. Some forms of waterproofing can be installed directly over pre-existing waterproofing. However, in extreme cases, you’ll be looking at cracks, structural damage, and other factors which may prevent a ‘quick fix’.

For more information on commercial waterproofing, get in contact with us and we will assist you where we can.

Your Leaking Balcony. My Damaged Ceiling.

Who pays for the leaking balcony and damaged caused? Who pays to install the waterproofing? Leaking problems arise very often when a balcony’s waterproofing is damaged or deteriorates. Thus, causing water ingress problems into the apartment below. The question is, who pays for the damage?

leaking balcony

In complex’s and apartment blocks, balcony waterproofing installation is to protect the property underneath each other. Not to benefit the balcony itself. Often the leaking balcony is of no fault to either apartment owners. However, it is often a result of poor work by the developer or building contractor trying to reduce costs at the time of construction.

Defective balcony waterproofing can cause water to seep through screed and slab and into the unit below. Thus, causing damaged ceiling, plaster, paint work and encouraging mould growth. Not to mention the risk of structural collapse.

Leaking Balcony Solution

The solution is to waterproof the balcony. Fixing the leaking balcony includes lifting all the tiles on the balcony floor and walls (if there is a skirting tile). Thereafter, removing the old waterproofing and installing a new torch on waterproofing system. Afterwards, installing new tiles and grouting.

An important factor to keep in mind is the type of slab that the balcony is cast from(Cast-in-situ or block & rib slab). Certain waterproofing systems cannot be used on the block & rib slab system.

Who Covers The Cost Of This Waterproofing?

Unfortunately body corporate do not cover this type of leak. If the apartments are older than 3 – 6 months, the building contractor will not cover it either.

Luckily, the team at Apex Waterproofing offer payment plan options for leaking balcony. We understand the cost is sometimes more than originally planned.

For more professional, free advice please feel free to contact us.

Home Ready For Storm Season

Get Your Home Ready For Storm Season!

Get Your Home Ready For Storm Season. Storm season is around the corner, so making your home storm safe should be a high priority. Thunderstorms, hail, floods and damaging winds cause major damage every year so start spending some time getting your home fully prepared.

Things to do include:

  • Cleaning out drains, gutters and downpipes. If water backs up, it can enter your home in a number of ways and cause major damage from your roof top to your interior walls and floors.
  • Prune overhanging tree branches that could be dislodged during a storm, particularly near your home and vehicles.
  • Get your roof flood checked NOW so that if there are any leaks, you can attend to them before you experience the major flooding when a real storm hits. Here at Apex Waterproofing, we do offer free flood checks.
  • Roof tiles. Loose roof tiles are blown off roof tops causing water to enter the open roof and leaving a trail of damage to windows, cars and causing injury to people standing outside. To prevent this, call us to assess your roof tiles free of charge.
  • Check your window sills. Window sills are often not considered when a leak occurs but this is a big mistake. Ensure your window sill seals and joints are not damaged or loose.

For more information, please feel free to contact us and we will happily assist you with any questions or queries you may have.

Damp Proofing Johannesburg

Common Signs of Damp

Damp is more problematic than just chipping or bubbling paint on your walls. If left untreated, it can pose serious health risks. Mould growth is the outcome of ignored signs of damp.

If you don’t already know this, mould can cause or aggravate respiratory issues such as allergies or asthma. It’s especially hazardous to infants and the elderly.

There are various types of damp and no two damp cases are the same. To save you time and money on solutions that might not solve your damp issue, it’s better to hire a damp proofing company like Apex Waterproofing SA for assistance.

Types of Damp

  • Lateral Damp
  • Rising Damp
  • Penetrating Damp
  • Condensation

Damp Treatment will depend on the type of damp you’re dealing with.

Signs of Damp in Your Home

  • Mould growth on walls, floor or furniture
  • Musty smell
  • Bubbling or chipping paint
  • Stains or dark patches on walls
  • Condensation on walls
  • Rotting skirting boards
  • Salt stains on outside walls
  • Rusty nails on skirting boards
  • Damp patches on the floor
  • White substance on the ground

Tips to Prevent Damp and Mould in Your Home

  • Ensure good ventilation inside your home to limit excess condensation by opening windows.
  • Invest in a dehumidifier to reduce moisture in the air.
  • Ensure your gutters and downpipes are correctly installed and not leaking.
  • Good drainage around home.

Apex Waterproofing SA is a damp proofing company in Johannesburg. We can easily identify the type of damp in your home and offer a solution to resolve it. Not only are we reliable but we’re extremely affordable as well. Get in touch with the team for a free quote today!