Indian houses usually have reinforced cement concrete (RCC) roofs and such structures always show signs of corrosion of steel bars and degradation of a matrix over time. Terrace proofing, otherwise known as waterproofing roof, is the best way to prevent water from corroding your roof and the bars that reinforce it.
Waterproofing is the best way to secure a surface from water damage. If you have a flat roof, called a terrace, it may be prone to waterlog and water leakage in the long run. In the case of sloping roofs, rainwater flows out through a drainage system and that keeps your roof from cracks, structural damage, and leaks.
So what do flat roof owners do? Follow these roof waterproofing solutions that will protect their beautiful terraces and give them a worry-free season.
Benefits of Roof Waterproofing
Before finding out the solution to waterproofing your roofs, let’s read more about what makes a waterproof sealant so important for flat roofs. Terraces face the burn of all climates and weather and eventually, they will crack and leak water. Here’s what roof waterproofing will help you in:
- Improves the durability of the structure: Moisture will seep in one way or the other and leave your structure reeking of cold. To make your building last longer, you need to seal your terrace with a waterproofing material.
- Reduces repair costs: With moisture making its way through the structure now and then, you will have to get it repaired frequently. Choose a one-time solution (waterproofing lasts for at least 50 years) and save all your impending repair costs.
- Offers energy efficiency: Insulation is another benefit of roof waterproofing as some of those solutions are capable of reducing the temperature by a good 8 degrees. This means your air conditioning bills are reduced and you live in a naturally cool house.
- Prevents health issues: Moisture in the building structure means mildew and mold. This can affect your health as the quality of indoor air reduces to nill. You might experience skin irritation, coughing, breathing issues, fever, eye infections, and more. A waterproofed roof will save you from these ugly affairs.
Improves the life of furniture and interiors: Mold and mildew can not only affect your health but also ruin the quality of furniture and decor. Once there is no moisture wicking away the quality of air in your house, your furniture and interiors stay as intact as new.
Traditional Roof Waterproofing Solutions
There are 3 methods of waterproofing your roof traditionally:
1. Brickbat Coba
This is one of the earliest methods of waterproofing a flat roof that is prone to waterlogging. Flat bricks are laid 15 mm to 20 mm apart from each other and fixed to the surface of the roof with cement. It must be allowed to dry and then sealed with a special mixture containing water sealant, water, and cement. The gaps between the bricks are also filled to create a leveled seal. Now the roof must be cured by water and left to dry for at least 2 weeks.
Cons of Brickbat Coba Roof Waterproofing
- This is an effective way of waterproofing but the drawback is that the bricks add a lot of weight to the roof.
- The entire process must be redone if the bricks get infected with water.
- Only a skilled person can seal the bricks without any cracks or holes otherwise the bricklayer will be prone to water infection.
2. Lime Terracing
This type of roof waterproofing is similar to the brickbat coba method. The only difference is in the mixture used to seal the laid bricks. Here the concrete is laid on the surface of the roof and every time a layer is spread, a mix of lime molasses is sprinkled on top of it. The finished roof is cured with water regularly for at least 2 weeks.
Cons of Lime Terracing
- This is not an effective way of waterproofing as there are chances of water or moisture seeping in.
- Once the moisture gets in, you may have to redo the entire process again.
- This hikes up your waterproofing budget.
3. Mud Phuska
Hotter regions in India use the mud phuska method of waterproofing, mostly to keep their houses cool. This is an eco-friendly method of waterproofing because of the natural ingredients used in it. Mud, cow dung, bhusa sand, and clay are used in the process to get a perfect waterproofed roof. Clay and bhusa sand are used to make molds (which act as bricks here) and plastered on the surface of the roof. The finished layer is sealed with cow dung and mud and left to be cured.
Cons of Mud Phuska Roof Waterproofing
- The natural ingredients are difficult to get in the cities.
- The mud phuska is a tedious process to make.
- The finished roof may put unwanted stress on the terrace.
Modern Roof Waterproofing Solutions
With the growth of the civil industry, methods of waterproofing have also taken a modern twist. As usual, they are more effective, less time-consuming, and have a clean finish. Here are 3 types of modern roof waterproofing methods:
1. Bituminous
Bitumen is a form of petroleum liquid that is viscous and sticky. It is the perfect material for waterproofing because of its natural properties. A roofing felt is soaked with this sticky form of liquid petroleum and rolled out on the roof. Fire is used to fix it to the roof and maybe other ingredients are added to make it more reliable.
Pros:
- The material is lightweight which means no added pressure on the terrace.
- It is also easy to fix as the membrane is quite flexible.
Cons:
- As we said, bitumen is a form of petroleum that is a combustible material.
- Bitumen is also not a sustainable material.
- When the bitumen layer is exposed to UV rays excessively, it may lose its waterproofing ability.
2. Liquid Deck
This type of modern roof waterproofing solution uses hydrophobic liquid to coat the surface of the roof. The liquid used is a kind of easy-to-use, stretchable, and flexible elastomer. Glass is added to the liquid to make it more strong and increase its waterproofing ability. You may apply this liquid on all kinds of surfaces like bitumen, asphalt, and concrete.
Pros:
- This method saves you money in the long run.
- You are saved from changing the roof entirely as is done in the other methods.
- The liquid membrane also sticks to all kinds of materials.
- This method will keep your roof waterproof for years to come
Cons:
- We didn’t find any drawbacks to liquid deck coating but if you do let us know in the comments.
3. Acrylic-based Roof Waterproofing
This is a popular method nowadays as it can be applied evenly with ease. The finish is also smooth and clean with high tensile strength. It is also UV resistant and resists the growth of all kinds of fungi, molds, and algae. Apply it with a roller and you are good to go. This non-toxic roof waterproofing method comes in different colors too (aesthetics, right?)
The Bottom Line: The Best Waterproofing Methods Can Be Chosen Based on Your Need and Budget
Planning to build a house? Roof waterproofing is something you need to take care of. A raw roof can make moisture seep in through the terrace and lead to excessive growth of mold. Mold can make your house’s air quality low and spoil your health (fever, wheeziness, infections, and whatnot). Flat terraces need to be waterproofed because they have no way of draining rainwater. Choose cost-effective (if possible, eco-friendly) ones that fit the material of the roof you have.
