The heavy rainstorm has finally stopped. Or maybe a long winter has finally ended.
What’s the most common damage after a storm?
While good weather may seem like a relief, the potential for water damage may just be the beginning. Stormwater runoff can quickly overwhelm natural and manmade systems, leading to flooding and property damage. The most common damage from a storm is to roofing and retaining walls, which often results in water leakage that leads to interior water damage and possible mould.
For homes that are connected or semi-detached, damages on the roof or within the walls can also cross property lines. In a natural environment, stormwater runoff is absorbed by soil and vegetation, evaporates into the atmosphere or flows into bodies of water. Urban development has dramatically changed this natural system. Rainfall is nowadays directed rapidly by roofs and roads into pipes and channels leading into wells or other water storage facilities.
Storms are one of the most common causes of roofing leaks. Water can enter your home from various areas and you need to be vigilant before a minor leak gets bigger. Many damages are the result of poor DIY works or the use of low-quality materials that do not withstand climate change and structural movements.
Who can provide you with a tailor-made waterproofing system?
The help of qualified experts in these situations is of utmost importance. Only a qualified roofer can provide you with a tailor-made waterproofing system that suits your needs. The steps you take today to prepare your home and terraces with proper waterproofing and an appropriate drainage system can help you avoid time-consuming and costly repairs when the bad weather does blow through.
The good news is that there are products and techniques that can withstand UV rays, high winds, sea salt corrosion and water stagnation and can save you the ordeal of constant maintenance and vigilance.
How Can You Protect Your Home from Storm Water?
Most of the water intake from retaining walls are simply related to the use of non-elastic and non-UV resistant paint that becomes rigid and starts to flake and peels off when subjected to Sun rays and building movements. An easy way to avoid these types of problems is by using a certified UV Resistant and Elastic waterproof paint. These certifications must be clearly shown on the cans and are usually found only on CE certified products. If in doubt consult the product data-sheet that nowadays are easily available on the internet. The application is important as the product itself, we tend to believe that two coats of the product are sufficient to withstand our Mediterranean climate and in many cases, the primer is left out. For optimal results, the application of a consolidating primer is required to strengthen the sand and cement plastering, together with a minimum of three coats of product for average consumption of 500g-1kg per square metre.
Roofs are no exception and before we apply any form of protection we have to put into the equation many factors such as its size, the location (by the sea or inland) and its use (BBQ and leisure).
Salt, wind and hail can easily damage plastic/acrylic-based membranes, while traditional carpet bitumen membranes and cement-based membranes are too rigid and fail very easily when subject to structural movements.
What are resin membranes?
Resin membranes on the other hand are proving to be the future; they are designed to meet our harsh hot summer and sudden climate change. Their application is simply by roller, brush or sprayed and can be applied easily in corners and obstructed areas. The final result is completely seamless, elastic, resistant to heavy traffic, can withstand direct bonding of tiles if desired and is guaranteed to last for years due to their resistance to UV rays. They are light in weight compared to other materials and can become stronger when they are reinforced with fibreglass net-type matt 225. Resin membranes also help to reduce heat intake inside buildings due to their thermal ability to reflect natural radiation.
We all know that delicate works that involve waterproofing must be carried out by professionals who are able to identify the problems and address them with the best possible materials and solutions possible. The problem is how to identify the good installers from the bad ones. The answer is simple, always make sure that the roofers are members of the Malta Professional Waterproofing and Resin Flooring Association. This guarantees good work, traceability and trustworthiness.
Serious roofers are in possession of the Association’s Installers Card for the peace of mind of their customers. Always ask the roofer if he is a member of the said association and to show you the Installers card prior to any works.
What do The Malta Waterproofing and Resin Flooring Association provide?
The Malta Waterproofing and Resin Flooring Association provide technical knowledge and professional formation to all Maltese installers who wish to improve their workmanship or start a carrier in the waterproofing business. The Association also assists its members by providing the services of a professional advisor when facing challenging situations or other difficulties during their work. The Association also provides its qualified members with the Certified Installers Card. This is done to reassure the general public that the person is able to carry out the requested job at its best. All this is being made possible thanks to Resin and Membrane Centre and NAICI International Academy. For further information with regards to the Malta Professional Waterproofing and Resin Flooring Association visit our website at www.maltawaterproofing.com or call on 27477647.
Antoine Bonello
The Resin and Membrane Centre.