Jeff Fitness | Renovations...

LET'S TALK ROOFING

Jeff Fitness: Managing Director, SealCo Waterproofing Systems

What are the key things you look out for when undertaking a Reno job?

Mainly to see if the product plus the existing structure (including the design) is suitable and will it actually add performance value to the property. In most cases, the answer is ‘Yes’. With some older properties we will suggest adding other upgrades to make everything more efficient (ie windows, flooring etc).

Any signs of problems that homeowners can spot?

Degradation of the existing roof is an obvious sign. If you are able to easily and safely access your roof, then look for signs such as rust, holes, leaks, heat loss, warped roofing sheets or flashing damage. If you are unable to access your roof then we have trained installers nationwide that are skilled at looking at, repairing, replacing and overlaying roofs with the WarmSEAL insulation and membrane system. Often issues are extremely difficult to identify so it is likely engaging a skilled installer will be the best option. 

Can you work with existing roofs?

We can install over existing substrates from membrane roofs, steel roofs and others.  It a very common practice to apply our WarmSEAL system over existing roofs and it works extremely well and is a most cost effective way to remediate your roof. Our skilled installers are able to provide site advice on what system may work best for both efficiency and costs plus our Sealco team are on hand to provide detailing and design support to ensure our system and the detailing are being used in the correct manner.

Types of roofs that are not ideally suitable are ones that are too far gone (ie damaged or rusted too far) and may need steel replacement or products such as tiles where they will likely have to be removed and replaced with a similar product.  Ideally the WarmSEAL membrane roof system is ideally suited for low pitch roofing where there is currently either a steel tray (or corrugate) roof or an existing membrane roof. This is where our WarmSEAL system proves its worth is costs, performance and longevity.

Our installers are also trained to identify other potential problems that may affect the installation of the WarmSEAL roof. This can be issues such as structure (framing etc), or fixing concerns (ensuring the system is fully fixed down).

Other issues could be things like ventilation and aesthetics or even connecting into other roof areas, windows or doorways but these can often be overcome with clever design from the Sealco technical team.

The option to overlay a roof is often seen as a cost-saving exercise plus this comes with more benefits such as not exposing the structure to the elements while working on the roof, uninterrupted insulation over the full roof plus the added speed of the overlay in comparison to removing and replacing your existing roof.

Are there any specific issues with certain types/era of houses?

There aren’t any specific types or era of houses that we can pinpoint to having issues however, often the older houses (generally over 30 years old) are a prime case where they have simply aged to the point that the existing roof (whether membrane or metal) has just worn out to the stage where it has started to leak. Then, often when there is one area of leaks, the rest of the roof may be on its way out. These can often be in the classification of “Leaky Homes”. If the strength of the existing roof (being not too rusted) is still intact, then this would be a prime candidate for a WarmSEAL overlay option.

Other types of roofing systems that are common for us to be installing WarmSEAL over are low pitch steel roofs (mostly tray roofs) because many years ago, they were installed at such low pitch, after some time the roofs have started to sag or create ponding in the trays and the ponding water starts to rust them out.

Our membrane system over the WarmSEAL insulation is able to handle very low pitch roofs and is ideal for some ponding water areas but we also have the facility to provide insulation in wedge shapes to create falls to the roof, giving better water-shed to the drains.
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Are there any misconceptions/bad practices re roofing and Renos?
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Yes, the main misconception is all about the issues with the performance older membrane system as historically some people have had membrane leaks for whatever reason and this has caused some anxiety to some home-owners about the option of membrane overlays and they will often say “will never have another membrane roof”.

It is important to note that membrane roofing systems have come a significantly long way in the past 20 years. Sealco is the first company to introduce the EcoTUFF TPO membranes into New Zealand in 2004 amidst the leaky building times. This was a milestone event and shook up the membrane market in NZ as the TPO, being a welded and reinforced system, proved to homeowners, installers, designers and builders that membranes can be installed consistently in a safe and watertight manner. Along with the introduction of the EcoTUFF TPO system, Sealco also introduced better overseas methods for detailing and installation of the membrane effectively and efficiently giving the industry the confidence it needed in membrane systems. Just a few short years later, Sealco introduced the WarmSEAL system and this was then another great leap forward in membrane roofing and re-roofing systems. Literally millions of square meters of EcoTUFF & WarmSEAL systems have been installed throughout the country since 2004 with amazing results.
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KEY PRODUCTS
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• EcoTUFF TPO

Introduced to New Zealand in 2004. The EcoTUFF TPO thermoplastic polyolefin membrane is aco-polymer of polypropylene and ethylene propylene rubberthat has been formed into a membrane sheet and reinforcedwith a heavy duty polyester scrim. This means you get aflexible rubberised material with the ability to be heat weldedfor permanent secure detailing.
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• WarmSEAL 

A roofing system that has the insulation installed above the structure with the waterproofing membrane installed directly over the insulation. The system is designed to keep the outer of the building insulated and “warm” from the external elements, and to keep cold or hot external climatic conditions isolated, while ensuring desired temperatures inside the building. It is especially suitable where there may not be any space for the standard internal insulation system within a roof design. The WarmSEAL PIR Insulation also will meet the new H1 insulation codes.
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• FlameSEAL

A modified bitumen roofing membrane, reinforced with 180 gsm non-woven polyester fabric. Features include superior quality tensile strength, elongation and tear resistance, making it an ideal durable solution for waterproofing requirements. A comparison of product data sheets shows FlameSEAL to have the highest mechanical properties of any modified bitumen available. FlameSEAL has good flexibility at both high and low temperatures, and is also available in a heavy grade option, making it the ultimate choice when selecting a torch-on membrane.
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• GreenSEAL

Garden Roof System has decorative benefits, and also can provide food, temperature control, hydrological benefits, architectural enhancement, habitats or corridors for wildlife, recreational opportunities, and in large scale it may even have ecological benefits. Cultivating food on the rooftop of buildings is sometimes referred to as rooftop farming, usually done using GreenSEAL green roof systems, hydroponics, aeroponics, air-dynaponics, and even container gardens. GreenSEAL also slows down the effect of rain and stormwater flowing into city waterways, assisting with drainage systems.
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• DekMASTER 

A high quality, fully cured PVC vinyl material, impregnated onto a non-woven polyester fabric back. An aesthetic trafficable and waterproofing membrane all-in-one, it is regarded as one of the best trafficable PVC membranes available in New Zealand to protect your home and provide a watertight exposed deck membrane system. DekMASTER is long lasting, UV and mildew resistant, non-skid, puncture resistant, welded application, easy to clean, cooler to the touch than most other membranes, and soft underfoot.
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• ShingleLINE

Italian asphalt shingles and metal-line bring beauty and life to your structure, with numerous styles and colours available. The shingles are resistant to any climate and extreme weather condition, don’t deteriorate over time, are quiet, light and stable, plus easy to install and maintain. There’s also a full range of accessories and services providing a true “roofing system”, with snow catchers, vents, condensation barriers, etc, made exclusively with “certified” components.
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