Roofs are designed to withstand an impressive onslaught of extreme weather and external forces. However, while they are devised to deal with rough and often relentless conditions, the daily exposure to rain, hail, snow, sun, and other elements will eventually degrade even the toughest of roofs. When this happens, leaks will develop, letting in moisture from the outside environment.
Whether minor or severe, leaks can cause irreparable structural damage to your roof, walls, the foundation of your home/industrial or commercial property, and even your flooring and furniture. Ultimately affecting the entire structure and outlay of your property. The longer you leave leaks unattended, the more damage it will cause, ultimately costing you a lot of money to repair.
When waterproofing your roof, it is important to choose the roof sealant that will provide you with the highest quality, long-term results. But, with so many roof sealants on the market, it can be difficult to choose the best one for your specific needs. While some waterproofing products are able to seal off small and isolated leaks, other sealants are capable of creating virtually impenetrable barriers against water, sun, and other outside factors over your entire roof.
Whether you’re starting a new construction project, need to repair your roof, doing some much needed roof maintenance or renovation work, or looking to extend the life of your roof, doing a review, and comparing the various characteristics and benefits of different roof sealants is a great idea to help narrow down your choices.
The following considerations can help take the guesswork out of determining the best roof sealant to waterproof your roof.
- Purpose
- Type of sealant:
- Waterproofing
- Reflectivity
- Longevity
- Ease of Application
Roof sealants you can use to waterproof your roof
Liquid Rubber
RubberTech™ liquid rubber is expertly formulated to withstand South African weather conditions and the RubberRoofs™ solution gives your roof a new lease on life. RubberRoofs™ applicators are highly trained. Thorough preparation of your roof include high pressure washing, securing old nails, application of RubberTech™ premium membrane and RubberTech™ Clear Prep on joints, overlaps, edges and parapets. If relevant, removal of pre-existing waterproofing applications ie. torch-on or failed membrane is done, in addition to the application of Rostech™ rust converter, and in coastal areas, roof sanitizing with premium Algentech™ algae/moss remover and Algentech™ XE which helps prohibited future growth of organisms.
What makes liquid rubber a good roof sealant to waterproof your roof?
- Liquid Rubber is waterproof, vapour tight & non-permeable
One of the main components that makes RubberRoofs™ liquid rubber the best waterproofing product and roof sealant is the fact that it is hydrophobic and vapour tight. The second it is applied to a surface; the surface becomes entirely waterproof. Liquid rubber also boasts an impermeable membrane and an extremely low vapour transmission rate. The rubber coating creates an impermeable barrier between the substrate and the environment, completely sealing the substrate and blocking/preventing any moisture from getting through the membrane.
- It is highly adhesive & provides superior leak protection
As the rubber is applied in liquid form, it is able to penetrate and seal tiny cracks and crevices that other waterproofing sealants simply aren’t able to reach. This alone makes liquid rubber one of the best roof sealants to waterproof your roof.
RubberRoofs™ Liquid rubber is highly adhesive and adheres fully to the substrate whatever the material, effectively sealing it and keeping all corrosive elements away and preventing any moisture from seeping through. Liquid rubber also boasts perfect adhesion on light wet surfaces.
- Weather & chemical resistant
RubberRoofs™ Liquid Rubber is resistant to most corrosive chemicals such as, alkalis, acids, and solvents, both liquids and gases. It also contains anti-corrosion and rust-resistant properties, which protects a substrate from corrosive environments (this is particularly important when it comes to metal roofs) like factories or plants as well as chemicals in tanks. The fact that it is heat resistant, waterproof, salt resistant, and UV stable makes RubberRoofs™ Liquid Rubber extremely robust and long lasting.
- Strong & highly durable
Another one of liquid rubber’s top features is its superior durability. Liquid rubber can be applied evenly and seamlessly when done by a skilled and experienced waterproofing specialist. This ensures that there are no ‘gaps’ that will allow UV rays, water, and more to penetrate the roof and damage it over time. Liquid rubber is therefore regarded as a powerful guard against sun, rain, and any other external elements.
Liquid rubber isn’t just waterproof – it’s also non-permeable. This prevents contaminants like dirt, oils, leaves, twigs, and snow from filtering into the liquid rubbing, eroding it over time and leaving your roof vulnerable.
- Liquid rubber can be applied across all surfaces
Unlike other sealants, liquid rubber is one of the few (if not the only) waterproofing roof sealants that can be successfully applied to a variety of roofing materials and surfaces, including tiled surfaces/roofs, asbestos, metal roofs, concrete/insulated concrete, and more. In addition to waterproofing your roof, liquid rubber can also be used for concrete foundation repairs, waterproofing balconies/decks, wall and ceiling repairs, protecting parking lots and driveways from rainwater and/or oil/grease damage, and even sealing leaking or cracking pipes.
- Superior flexibility & elasticity
RubberRoofs™ Liquid rubber is remarkably flexible with an elongation capability of up to 900%. It has the ability to flex and stretch with a substrate through both heating and cooling and is incredibly resistant against large temperature fluctuations, ranging anywhere from -40°C to 160°C without damaging. Due to its enhanced elasticity and flexibility, liquid rubber is able to effectively guard against extreme temperature fluctuations which is regarded as one of the main contributing factors to why roofs warp and crack in the first place.
- Liquid rubber is UV stable
Liquid rubber remains flexible for longer periods of time compared to other waterproofing products and roof sealants. It also doesn’t embrittle, chalk, or lose strength as a result of UV exposure.
- Environmentally friendly & Energy Efficient
Another factor that makes liquid rubber one of the best waterproofing roof sealants across all surfaces is its energy efficiency and environmentally conscious approach. RubberRoofs™ is fully committed to the environment and doing everything it can to promote conscious environmentally friendly production, and overall sustainability. All of RubberRoofs™ liquid rubber products are Water Based and VOC Free, and pose no harm to humans or nature in any way.
Liquid rubber’s enhanced energy efficiency offers two major advantages. First off, it boasts an overall energy efficiency which brings about a whole range of benefits. The liquid rubber sealant is able to reflect the light and heat of the sun away from your roof, especially if you choose a lighter color of liquid rubber. This prevents the sun’s rays from penetrating into your home/property on a particularly hot day, aiding in keeping the temperature consistent.
Just as liquid rubber facilitates in reflecting the sun’s heat and light to keep your home cool and consistent, it also helps retain the heat from a fireplace or heater within your home or property during winter or colder temperatures.
Another major advantage of liquid rubber’s energy efficiency is that you will end up saving a great deal of money on utility bills.
If the temperature in your home or property is properly controlled and remains consistent throughout, you won’t need to use any extra aids to cool you down or heat up your surroundings. This includes fans, and air conditioning, as well turning up your heater to a higher setting.
Whether you’re an eco-conscious consumer or not, liquid rubber roofing sealant is absolutely something you ought to consider.
To top it off, it requires substantially less energy to make rubber compared to other kinds of roofing materials. Best of all, rubber is completely recyclable.
- Optimal safety
Liquid rubber is fire-resistant. If you live in an area that is prone to fires or if you’re hit by a sudden electrical storm, you can rest easy knowing that your home’s roof will help protect you while you wait for help to arrive.
Liquid rubber is a safe and often slip-resistant surface to walk across. This makes liquid rubber a great choice for individuals and self-proclaimed DIY professionals who frequently go up on their roofs to check if everything is in order, install decorations, check on chimneys and gutters, or simply prefer to do basic roof maintenance on their own.
- Lightweight & quick and easy application
Liquid rubber is incredibly easy and seamless to install and works remarkably fast. It often dries within just 2-3 hours after application depending on the size of your roof. Liquid rubber is also surprisingly lightweight. This means that all of its waterproofing protection won’t weigh down your roof in the slightest and cause your home / commercial or industrial property’s foundation to shift.
Other roof sealants
Besides liquid rubber, other roof sealants to waterproof your roof include:
- Acrylic roof sealant
- Polyurethane roof sealant
- Silicone roof sealant
- Sealant Tape
At RubberRoofs™, you will not only receive a 10-year warranty when waterproofing your roof with RubberRoofs™ Liquid Rubber, but our highly skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced team of waterproofing experts specialise in industrial, residential, and commercial waterproofing applications. Our knowledge team of waterproofing specialists are there to assist you every step of the way, ensuring that all your waterproofing needs and requirements are met to the highest of standards and that the job is done right the first time!
Click here to request a FREE online quote from RubberRoofs™ today. Alternatively, contact RubberRoofs™ on 087 094 8092 to find out more or to request a quote from one of our expert waterproofing specialists. You can also visit the RubberRoofs™ website for everything you need to know.
