Fixing leaks in Edgemead’s original 1970s and 1980s homes
Edgemead was laid out in the 1970s and 1980s, and a large share of its single-storey homes still have their original concrete tile roofs. After forty-odd winters, the mortar on ridges has cracked, flashings have lost their seal and the felt or underlay under the tiles, where there is any, has perished. Waterproofing contractors in Edgemead mostly deal with this slow decline rather than sudden failures.
NPC covers Edgemead along with nearby Bothasig and Monte Vista. We find out where the water is coming from, explain what is worth repairing and what is near the end of its life, and quote accordingly.
Plenty of Edgemead owners have lived in their homes for decades and have already had a patch-up or two done. Old repairs are part of the picture: a layer of bitumen slapped over a flashing, silicone in a valley or a sheet of plastic under a few tiles. We note these during the inspection, because they often hide the original fault and sometimes create new ones.
Waterproofing contractors in Edgemead: typical roof problems
The roofs here are simple in shape, which works in your favour: there are fewer junctions to go wrong. When they do leak, it is usually at the same handful of places. The jobs we see most often are:
- Chimney and wall flashings that have pulled loose or cracked
- Valleys where debris has built up and water overflows
- Ridge and hip mortar that lets rain blow in
- Lean-to and patio roofs added later with poor joints to the house
- Flat-roofed garages and carports with tired membranes
Rising damp and garden walls
Homes of this age were built with damp-proof courses, but bridging is common. Raised flower beds against the house, paving laid above floor level and plaster carried down to the ground all let moisture climb past the barrier. The result is flaking paint and salt deposits along the bottom of interior walls. Fixing it usually means removing the bridge first and then treating the wall, rather than just repainting. We also check that gutters and downpipes are discharging away from the walls, as overflowing water at ground level keeps feeding the problem.
Garden and boundary walls in Edgemead also take a beating, especially where soil is banked against one side. Treating the earth-retaining face stops the white bloom and blistering paint that keep coming back on the other.
WHY US?
Some great reasons to choose NPC Painters & Renovators for your next project
What to expect from us
A consultant visits, inspects and then sends a written specification and price that follow the product supplier’s requirements. We use proven systems from Sika, a.b.e., Optima Coatings and BASF. Our teams are BIBC and FEM registered and health and safety compliant, and the owners of NPC keep a close eye on each project. To see how this fits into our broader work, read about our approach to waterproofing on every type of building.
Water coming through the ceiling of your Edgemead home? Ring 021 981 0864 and we will set up an inspection.
RELATED SERVICES IN EDGEMEAD
Residential
Painting
Commercial Painting
Renovations & Alterations
Roof & Airless Spray Painting
Roofing & Roof Repairs
HOW IT WORKS
After a prospective client contacts NPC, we will set up an appointment with one of our consultants at a time that is convenient to the client.
The consultant will come out to your premises to conduct a thorough site inspection. This will also give you the opportunity to discuss any pertinent details with him.
A personalised specification and quotation will be drawn up and submitted to the client for their approval. All the specifications will be based on the relevant supplier requirements.
For large projects, we can request the client’s preferred paint supplier to compile a comprehensive specification.
Upon acceptance of the quotation, a proforma invoice will be sent to the client. Among various other details, it will indicate the deposit required before the project start date can be confirmed.
QUALITY CONTROL
For our clients’ peace of mind, NPC can request one of our suppliers or an independent consultant to do a site inspection and compile a site-specific specification that clearly indicates which products are most suitable for the project and the precise preparation procedures that should be followed.
Regular site inspections by the supplier or consultant and the client can then be scheduled at various stages of the project to ensure that all procedures and standards are being adhered to.
Did You Know?
We can bring our own non-potable water
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
My Edgemead roof is over 40 years old. Should I repair it or replace it?
Many original concrete tile roofs still have sound tiles, so targeted repairs to flashings, valleys and ridges can give years more service. If tiles are porous, battens are rotting or leaks are appearing across the whole roof, replacement may be better value. We give you an honest assessment of both options after the inspection.
Why does paint keep peeling at the bottom of my Edgemead lounge wall?
That is a classic sign of rising damp, often caused by soil, paving or a flower bed outside sitting higher than the damp-proof course. Moisture carries salts into the plaster, and the paint lets go. We identify the bridge, recommend removing it and treat the wall so that new paint holds.
Can you waterproof the flat roof over my Edgemead garage on its own?
Yes, small flat roofs over garages, carports and enclosed stoeps are a common request. We check the slab, the falls towards the outlet and how the roof meets the house wall, because that junction is often where the water gets in. The right membrane is chosen once we know how the surface drains.
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