Waterproofing and roofing

Why roofs and balconies fail in Cape Town

Cape Town’s weather is hard on a building. Most of the rain falls in winter, often driven sideways by strong wind, and the summer sun then heats the same surfaces. Close to the coast, salt in the air also wears on metal sheeting, fixings and flashings. Over the years that cycle opens cracks at roof ridges, lifts the sealant at wall junctions and wears through the surface of flat roofs, balconies and decks. A small gap that lets in a little water one winter tends to let in more the next, so repairing early is usually cheaper than waiting for the ceiling or the wall below to be damaged.

What waterproofing and roofing covers

This is our main line of work, and it covers four related jobs. Waterproofing uses liquid-rubber, membrane and cementitious systems on roofs, balconies, decks, walls and under tiles. Roof repairs and installations deal with leaks and with new flat and pitched roofs in tile and metal. Asbestos roof replacement removes old asbestos sheeting and fits a new roof. Roof painting coats tile, concrete and metal roofs in liquid-rubber paint in the colour you choose. Because one company handles all four, a leak can be traced, repaired and sealed without passing the job between trades.

Homes, complexes and commercial buildings

A homeowner usually calls about one leak or one tired roof. A body corporate or managing agent has a different question: which roofs, balconies and walls across the whole complex are due for work, and what will it cost? We inspect the property, list what we find and put the scope and price in one written quotation that the trustees can approve. For commercial and industrial buildings, large flat roofs and metal roofs get the same approach: inspect first, quote in writing, then do the work.

How we quote, and what is guaranteed

Every job starts with a site inspection, and there is no call-out fee. You then receive an official written quotation. Waterproofing prices depend on the area, the condition of the surface, the access and the system used, so we quote each project on its own. As a guideline, our supply-and-install average is R350/m². Be wary of any contractor who quotes without looking at the problem area. Complete roof coatings carry a 10-year manufacturer’s guarantee, which can be extended to 20 years with a maintenance coat every four to five years.

Asbestos roofs

Asbestos is removed to Department of Labour regulations and replaced with the Safintra Saflock roofing system.