The roofing membrane is one of the most important parts of a roof that protects it from various weather conditions. This layer of material is also called as a waterproof membrane or asphaltic membrane. It is generally installed over a roof deck or plywood to protect the inner layers of the roofing system from water damage and leaks.
What Is a Waterproof Membrane For a Roof?
It is an element that covers the roof completely, protecting it from outside elements such as rain, hail, or snow. This waterproof element protects the entire roof from weather conditions like strong winds and heavy rains. It also prevents any damages that may occur during heavy storms or hurricanes.
Waterproof membranes are made from different materials, such as plastic, rubber, or asphaltic materials, among others. The choice of material depends on its purpose as well as your budget. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, which you should know before making any decision on what type of waterproofing material to use in your home’s roofing system.
Why You Need It For Your Home
Having a properly installed waterproof membrane on your roof helps prevent leaks in your house’s walls and ceiling due to damage caused by water penetration through cracks or seams in your home’s roofing system caused by weather conditions like heavy rain or snow storms.
Waterproofing membranes can be made from several different types of materials, including rubber, polyethylene, and polyurethane. These materials are used in different applications to provide different levels of protection from water. Here is why you should consider using waterproofing membranes for your home:
To Protect Against Moisture
Moisture can cause damage to your home’s structure and its contents if not properly protected. Waterproofing membranes help to prevent moisture from getting into the walls or floors of your home by providing an effective barrier against rainwater, snow melt, and even condensation caused by radiant heat loss.
Protects Against Ice Dams
Ice dams are caused when ice forms on the eaves of a house during cold weather months. As this ice melts, it trickles down towards the foundation of your home instead of running off into gutters or downspouts where it belongs. Waterproof membranes help prevent this by preventing water from being able to seep through cracks in your roofing system.
Keeps Out Pests
Waterproof membranes are highly resistant to pests such as termites and other insects that like to burrow through wood and concrete surfaces, looking for food sources. If these pests do manage to get into your house through cracks in your walls or floors, they can cause extensive damage if left unchecked. By installing a waterproof membrane on top of your subflooring before laying down flooring boards or tiles, you will significantly reduce the risk of infestation by these pests.
Lasts For Years
Unlike other types of roofing materials, waterproof membranes have an almost indefinite lifespan — though they may need replacement after 25 years or so depending on factors like exposure to sunlight and environmental conditions such as wind and rain. They can also be repaired if damaged by punctures or tears in the material caused by hail or falling branches or tree limbs.
Perfect For Indoor And Outdoor Roofing
You can use this material regardless of whether you’re installing an indoor or outdoor roofing system. It’s also suitable for both flat and steep roofs, making it perfect for different types of buildings. Furthermore, if you have a leaky roof, installing this material will help you fix the problem quickly and easily without having to spend money on costly repairs or replacements.
Lowers Maintenance Costs
If you have a leaky roof or gutters that need repairs, those repairs can be expensive and time-consuming. By using a waterproof membrane on top of your existing shingles or metal panels, you will decrease the amount of maintenance needed over time because it will stop any leaks before they start. This means less time spent fixing leaks and more time enjoying yourself inside with family and friends!
Seamless Installation
One of the benefits of using a waterproofing membrane is that it can be installed seamlessly, which means that you don’t have to worry about leaving any holes in your roof when you install it. This means that it will look good and keep your home protected all year long.
Keep Heat From Entering The Building
Another reason why you should consider using a waterproofing membrane on your roof is that it will help keep heat from entering your home during summer months when temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). This means that you won’t have to worry about cooling down your home all summer long!
Conclusion:
There are numerous waterproof membrane materials on the market to choose from. However, each of them has a specific function that can limit its application. For instance, direct application membranes adhere to your decking only, while flashing membranes are meant to be applied under an existing roof deck and are placed around windows and parapets. The best waterproofing membrane for you will ultimately depend on what you’re trying to do, so you’ll need to consider your options carefully before making a choice.
