Painted dark grey tiled roof in West Beach

Liquid Rubber Roof Coating in West Beach, Cape Town

Liquid rubber roof coating is one of the most popular ways to waterproof and renew a roof in Cape Town. We recently coated a tiled roof in West Beach with grey liquid rubber, and the result is a clean, even, dark grey roof. Here is what liquid rubber roof coating is, why it works, and what the job involves.

Freshly painted dark grey tiled roof in West Beach with solar geysers and white parapet walls
The finished roof in West Beach, painted dark grey with the white parapet walls and solar geysers.

What is liquid rubber roof coating?

Liquid rubber is a waterproofing paint that is applied to the roof as a liquid and dries into a seamless, flexible rubber layer. Because there are no joins, there are no seams for water to get through. Because it stays flexible, it moves with the roof as it heats up and cools down, instead of cracking like a rigid paint.

It can be used on tiled roofs, metal sheeting, flat concrete roofs and many other surfaces, which is why it is also widely used for roof repairs. EcoTuffSA’s own paint company, EcotuffSA Paints, makes the FlexiPro liquid rubber range at our premises in Killarney Gardens.

Dark grey painted tiles around two solar geysers on a roof in West Beach
Painted tiles around the solar geysers.

Benefits of liquid rubber roof coating

  • Waterproof and seamless. The coating forms one continuous layer over the roof.
  • Flexible. It stretches and moves with the roof instead of cracking.
  • Fresh, uniform colour. Faded or patchy tiles look new again, in the colour you choose.
  • Protects the tiles. The coating shields the surface from sun, wind-driven rain and salt air.
  • Cheaper than replacing the roof. If the roof structure and tiles are sound, coating costs far less than a new roof.
  • Heat. Lighter colours reflect more heat, which helps keep the house cooler. Darker colours, like the grey on this job, absorb more heat.
White parapet wall and painted dark grey roof tiles on a house in West Beach
The painted roof edge and parapet wall.

How a liquid rubber roof coating job usually goes

  1. Inspect and quote. We inspect the roof and send a written quotation. There is no call-out fee.
  2. Repair and clean. Cracked tiles, ridges and junctions are repaired and sealed, and the roof is cleaned so the coating bonds properly.
  3. Prepare the surface. The surface is prepared for the coating.
  4. Coat. The liquid rubber is applied in coats, in the colour you choose. On this West Beach roof it was grey.
  5. Walk-through. We go through the finished work with you. Complete roof coatings carry a 10-year manufacturer’s guarantee.

Want to see another roof done in liquid rubber? Our Newlands project on the projects page shows a liquid-rubber roof waterproofing job with a before-and-after slider.

Close-up of a solar geyser on a tiled roof painted dark grey in West Beach
A close-up of the coating around a solar geyser.

Is liquid rubber right for your roof?

Liquid rubber suits roofs that are sound but worn, faded or leaking at joints. It is not a fix for a roof that is structurally damaged or has broken tiles throughout, and it should not be applied over an asbestos-cement roof without the proper approach. An inspection shows what your roof needs. See our roof painting, liquid waterproofing and waterproofing pages.

Questions about liquid rubber roof coating

How long does liquid rubber roof coating last?

Complete roof coatings from EcoTuffSA carry a 10-year manufacturer’s guarantee. How long a coating lasts in practice depends on the condition of the roof, the preparation and how many coats are applied.

Can liquid rubber be applied over roof tiles?

Yes. Liquid rubber can be applied over tiled roofs once the roof has been repaired and cleaned. This West Beach job was a tiled roof coated in grey liquid rubber.

When is the best time to coat a roof in Cape Town?

Summer, when it is dry and each coat can cure in the sun. Leaks show in the winter rain from May to August, so many people call then. We can inspect and quote in winter and plan the work for the dry months.

Can I choose the colour?

Yes. Liquid rubber roof paint is available in a range of colours. Remember that lighter colours reflect more heat than darker ones.

Related reading

Get a quote for your roof

EcoTuffSA offers a free site inspection and a written quotation in Cape Town. Call 021 300 9899, WhatsApp 061 518 4148 or request a quote online.

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