Most waterproofing in Cape Town lasts somewhere between 8 and 20 years. The exact figure depends on the system used, where it is on the building, and how much sun, wind, and standing water it has to deal with.
Three things make the biggest difference. The system itself, because a thick torch-on membrane and a thin acrylic coating are not built to last the same length of time. The position, because a flat roof that holds water after rain works far harder than a sheltered wall. And the exposure, because Cape Town's summer sun and the south-easter are hard on anything left in the open.
Foot traffic matters too. A balcony or a walkway that people use every day will wear sooner than a roof nobody walks on.
As a rough guide, and assuming the work was done properly on a sound surface:
If you are weighing up which system to use, our piece on torch-on versus acrylic waterproofing goes through where each one suits.
Waterproofing rarely fails because the material simply wore out. It usually fails early at the details: a join, a corner, an upstand against a wall, or a drain outlet. Poor surface preparation, skipping a primer, or laying a membrane over a damp or dusty surface will all cut years off the job.
Movement is the other one. If a roof or screed cracks underneath, the waterproofing on top can split with it.
A yearly look over the roof before winter catches most problems while they are still small. Clear the gutters and outlets, check the upstands and joins, and deal with any lifting or cracking before the rain finds it. A small repair is a fraction of the cost of redoing a whole roof and the ceiling underneath it.
If your waterproofing is past its expected life or showing signs of wear, we are happy to come and have a look. See our waterproofing work or get in touch for a quote.
Tell us what you are seeing and we will come and take a look, no charge.
