Liquid Roofing
Get a QuoteLiquid roofing creates a continuous waterproofing membrane by applying a liquid system directly to a prepared roof surface.
The material cures in place, allowing the waterproofing to follow roof details, upstands, outlets and penetrations without relying on the same arrangement of laps found in sheet-based coverings.
We provide liquid roofing across the UK for commercial, industrial and residential buildings, including roof refurbishment, waterproof overlays and new roofing projects.
Liquid Applied Roofing Systems
Liquid applied roofing is a method of waterproofing rather than one single roofing product.
Different systems can be specified according to the roof construction, substrate, existing waterproofing and intended use.
Liquid roofing can be considered for:
Flat roofs
Low-pitched roofs
Commercial buildings
Industrial roofs
Existing felt roofs
Metal roofs
Concrete roof decks
Roofs with complex detailing
New roofing projects
Roof refurbishment
The existing roof should be assessed before deciding which system and build-up are appropriate.
How Does Liquid Roofing Work?
A liquid roofing system is applied across the prepared roof and cures to form a continuous membrane.
The process generally follows the relationship:
Existing roof → inspection → preparation → detailing → liquid membrane → waterproof finish
Preparation and application requirements vary between systems.
Primers, reinforcement and multiple layers may be required depending on the product, substrate and project specification.
Seamless Roof Waterproofing
One of the defining characteristics of liquid applied roofing is that the membrane forms in place.
This makes the system particularly useful where a roof contains numerous details.
Liquid waterproofing can be applied around:
Rooflights
Outlets
Pipes
Vents
Upstands
Plant
Kerbs
Changes in level
Other penetrations
These areas should be incorporated into the complete waterproofing specification rather than treated separately from the main roof.
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Liquid Roofing for Flat Roofs
Flat and low-pitched roofs are common applications for liquid waterproofing.
The system can create a continuous membrane across the main roof area while following perimeter details and penetrations.
Before installation, the condition of the roof needs to be established.
Existing defects, drainage, moisture and the suitability of the substrate can all influence whether the roof can be overlaid or requires more extensive work.
Liquid Roof Overlay Systems
Complete removal of an existing roof covering is not always necessary.
Many liquid applied membranes can be installed as overlay systems where the existing waterproofing and underlying roof construction are suitable.
This approach can be particularly useful for refurbishment because the existing roof can remain in place while a new waterproofing layer is formed above it.
However, overlaying should follow an assessment of the existing roof.
Wet, unstable or unsuitable materials should not simply be concealed beneath a new membrane.
Liquid Roofing Over Felt
Ageing felt roofs can develop problems around laps, joints, previous repairs and detailed areas.
Where the existing construction remains suitable, a compatible liquid roofing system may be used as an overlay.
The surface first needs appropriate preparation, with defects addressed according to the selected system.
Compatibility between the existing felt and proposed liquid membrane should be established before installation.
Liquid Roofing for Metal Roofs
Industrial and commercial buildings frequently use profiled metal roof sheets.
Over time, water ingress can develop around sheet laps, fixings, penetrations and other details.
Liquid applied waterproofing can be considered for suitable metal roof refurbishment projects.
The specification needs to account for the existing roof condition, corrosion, movement and the details requiring treatment.
Liquid Roofing Over Concrete
Concrete roof decks can also receive liquid applied waterproofing systems.
The substrate should be assessed for its condition, moisture and any defects that could affect the proposed membrane.
Cracks and other damaged sections may require preparation or repair before waterproofing begins.
The liquid system can then form the waterproofing layer across the prepared roof and associated details.
Commercial Liquid Roofing
Commercial buildings often contain larger flat roof areas together with plant, rooflights, outlets and service penetrations.
Liquid roofing can accommodate these features by forming around the individual details.
Potential applications include:
Offices
Retail buildings
Schools
Healthcare buildings
Leisure facilities
Apartment blocks
Public buildings
The roofing specification should reflect the construction and condition of the individual property.
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Industrial Liquid Roofing
Industrial roofs can contain large areas of waterproofing together with ventilation equipment, services and other rooftop installations.
Liquid systems can be used for suitable industrial roof refurbishment and waterproofing projects.
Factories, warehouses and manufacturing facilities may also benefit from refurbishment methods that reduce unnecessary removal of an existing roof where an overlay is technically appropriate.
The roof still needs to be surveyed to determine whether the existing construction can remain in place.
Roof Refurbishment With Liquid Membranes
An ageing roof does not automatically require complete replacement.
Where the existing roof remains suitable for refurbishment, a liquid membrane can provide a new waterproofing layer over the prepared surface.
A refurbishment project can involve:
Inspecting the existing roof
Identifying defects and problem details
Assessing the substrate
Cleaning and preparing the surface
Completing necessary repairs
Priming where required
Reinforcing details where specified
Applying the liquid waterproofing system
Completing the final membrane according to the system specification
The precise installation sequence depends on the selected product.
Roof Leaks and Liquid Waterproofing
Water ingress can occur through several different parts of an existing roof.
Common problem areas can include damaged coverings, failed details, laps, outlets and penetrations.
A leak should be investigated before assuming that coating the visible area will solve the underlying problem.
Where deterioration is more widespread, refurbishing a larger roof area with a continuous liquid system may be more appropriate than repeatedly carrying out isolated patch repairs.
Waterproofing Roof Details
Roof details are an important part of any waterproofing installation.
A large main roof area can remain in reasonable condition while weaknesses develop around penetrations or changes in level.
Liquid applied membranes can be particularly useful for detailing because they form around the geometry of the roof.
This can include waterproofing around:
Rooflights → kerbs and upstands
Pipes → penetrations and interfaces
Outlets → drainage details
Plant → bases and supports
Perimeters → edges and upstands
The exact detailing method should follow the requirements of the specified roofing system.
Cold-Applied Liquid Roofing
Many liquid roofing systems are cold applied.
This means the waterproofing can be installed without the flame-based application associated with some traditional roofing methods.
Cold application can be particularly useful around complex details and on sites where avoiding hot works is an important project consideration.
Individual products still have their own handling, preparation and application requirements.
Roof Preparation
Liquid waterproofing depends on the condition of the surface to which it is applied.
Preparation should therefore be treated as part of the roofing system rather than an optional preliminary step.
Depending on the roof, work can include:
Cleaning
Removing loose material
Addressing contamination
Preparing existing membranes
Treating corrosion on suitable metal substrates
Completing local repairs
Preparing cracks or defects
Priming the surface where specified
The required preparation depends on both the substrate and liquid roofing system.
Roof Drainage and Ponding Water
Water needs an effective route away from the roof.
A waterproof membrane should not be used as a substitute for addressing unsuitable drainage.
Outlets, gutters, falls and areas of persistent standing water should be considered when the existing roof is assessed.
Where ponding occurs, its cause and the requirements of the proposed roofing system need to be established before refurbishment.
Liquid Roofing for Complex Roofs
Roofs containing numerous penetrations can be difficult to waterproof using systems that require extensive cutting and jointing around every detail.
Liquid membranes form directly around the shape of the substrate.
This makes them particularly relevant for roofs containing dense arrangements of plant, outlets, pipes, rooflights and other features.
The result is a waterproofing specification that can treat the main roof area and complex details as part of the same system.
New Liquid Roofing Systems
Liquid applied waterproofing is not limited to refurbishment.
Systems can also form part of new roof constructions where they are appropriate to the proposed build-up.
The complete roof specification may need to consider insulation, vapour control, deck construction, waterproofing and drainage.
These elements should be designed as a roof build-up rather than selecting the waterproof membrane independently.
Choosing a Liquid Roofing System
The appropriate liquid membrane depends on the roof it will be installed onto.
Important considerations include:
Existing roof covering
Roof deck
Condition of the substrate
Roof size
Number of details
Drainage
Moisture
Movement
Required roof build-up
Access
Building use
Whether the project is new-build or refurbishment
These factors establish the project requirements before a particular liquid roofing system is selected.
Liquid Roofing Contractors UK
We provide liquid roofing installations across the UK for flat roofs, commercial buildings, industrial properties and suitable residential projects.
Work can include roof surveys, preparation, liquid waterproofing, roof overlays, refurbishment and detailed waterproofing around rooflights, outlets, upstands and penetrations.
Send us photographs of the existing roof, the approximate roof area and information about the current covering or known problems. This helps establish the likely requirements before a detailed specification is developed.