Waterproofing Concrete Flat Roofs – For Homes and Buildings

Understanding how flat roofs are built can help you identify the best methods for waterproofing them.

Concrete flat roofs are increasingly becoming popular in building designs for both homes and commercial development due to their additional spaces that can be used for utilities (eg. water tanks, pumps, antennas, motor rooms, etc.) and recreation facilities (swimming pools, open decks, etc.). Unfortunately, flat roofs also cause big problems to homeowners and building managers – all of which stem from waterproofing issues.

It is this very reason that flat roofs are no longer allowed to be built on new government buildings.

Identifying the right waterproofing method is not as easy as one thinks; we must first have a basic understanding of how flat roofs are constructed.

1. The base of flat roofs is mainly constructed with concrete slabs. 
2. Once the base is constructed, contractors then proceed to install waterproofing and heat insulation materials on top of these concrete slabs.
3. Then, a 5cm thick layer of cement screed is applied over the materials to protect them against the harsh Malaysian weather. 
4. Finally, control joints on the cement screed are cut and sealed with elastic bitumen or sealant to guard against cracks.

Left unmanaged, water ponding causes expensive damage to buildings that may have extensive consequences.

With this info in mind, let’s take a look at some of the obvious and not-so-obvious technical pitfalls of flat roofs in homes and buildings.

Visible Problems	Invisible Problems
1. Bad Workmanship Poorly designed flat roofs without adequate drainage or even surfaces lead to water pooling on the flat roofs.	1. Water Ingress Flat roofs leak over time because buildings deteriorate over time. In the event of damage, the building is more susceptible to water penetration as the concrete or cement breaks down from sun and rain damage and erosion.
2. Ponding The formation of puddles on flat roofs is referred to as pooling, and it causes mould and weeds to grow in the drainage and cracks.	2. Heavier Dead Load of Building This causes the concrete decks of the building to deform, deflect, and crack under pressure.
3. Accumulation of Dirt Without slanted roofs for dirt and leaves to fall onto the ground below, flat roofs encourage unsightly depositions of small and large debris that can obstruct drainage if not properly cleaned and maintained.	3. Sharp Temperature Fluctuations The average temperature on a flat roof in Malaysia is 82°C at 1.30 pm and 17°C at 4.00 am. This sharp fluctuation causes intense stress to the flat roofs due to heat-induced expansions and contractions, accelerating wear and tear.
4. Slip Hazard Under wet climates or rainy seasons, flat roofs are slip hazards to people.

Drainage systems may look simple, but require complex calculations for them to be effective and safe for residents of the building.

So, what should you be looking for in sourcing the best waterproofing system to use for concrete flat roofs?

Homeowners and building managers are looking into alternatives for waterproofing their flat roofs due to the intrusive, noisy, messy, and costly nature of hacking up and replacing the existing cement screed and other components.

Thus, coatings and membranes have become the preferred waterproofing method due to their ease of installation.

However, convenience aside – homeowners and building managers must also take into consideration the following factors when evaluating the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of their preferred waterproofing method for concrete flat roofs:

1. The waterproofing method should accommodate the unique degradation mechanisms of your existing building.
2. The initial acquisition costs and life-cycle costs must be accounted for.
3. The contractors involved should have control over the quality of the materials and detailing to ensure optimal performance of the outcome.

Nano-G’s hospital-grade nanotechnology waterproofing solution is proven highly effective in solving water leakage problems on flat roofs.

On top of meeting all three aforementioned requirements in the section above, we have solved several hundreds of water leakage issues in hospitals, hotels, commercial buildings, skyscrapers, bungalows, and more. Our advanced nanotechnology waterproofing solutions are certified Low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) and are thus recognised as safe and trusted for use by the Ministry of Health in our Malaysian government hospitals.

How does Nano-G’s no-hacking, no noise, mess-free waterproofing method work? Here’s the science and wonder behind our solutions.

NanoVerify is amongst the many accreditations of Nano-G’s nanotechnology waterproofing solutions.

Some of our flat-roof waterproofing projects we have completed for our government hospitals are as follows:

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What can you expect from Nano-G’s nanotechnology waterproofing solution for your flat roofs?

We have a strong team of highly experienced experts who have offered consultations and advice for homeowners and building managers of various kinds of buildings over the years. When you engage in our FREE consultation, you can expect the following procedures to be carried out on your premises:

1. Our technical experts will conduct checks on the building with a FLIR thermal imaging camera to locate the source of water leakage.
2. Our experts will diagnose the problem and inform you about the extent of the damage, the techniques that will be used to rectify the issue, and inform you about the step-by-step rectification process.
3. Date and time will be set for the rectification process to be done.

The above is an example of the FLIR thermal imaging camera we use to locate the source of water leakage.

We offer a money-back guarantee and warranty to all our customers. Your satisfaction is our priority.

Discover the testimonials of our satisfied clients across Klang Valley:

At your wit’s end for flat roof waterproofing concrete flat roofs? Give Nano-G a chance.

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Nano-G has helped many building owners overcome water leakage problems resulting from poorly maintained flat roofs.

Whether you’re a homeowner, building owner, or manager of a commercial building, you’re entitled to a FREE inspection of your premises. Secure an appointment now, and don’t delay the diagnosis of the issue before it progresses to further damages.

Facebook m.me/nanogmalaysia
WhatsApp nanog.wasap.my
Or give our hotline a call at 1800-18-6266

Is there a water leakage issue somewhere else in the building, such as your car porch? You may want to give this a read: