Paint vs waterproofing coating? What is the right choice for the roof of your house?

"Why does my roof leak even though I got it painted just a year back?"

"If I paint the roof will it stop seepage and discolouration on my ceiling?"

These are some of the most common questions that homeowners have about their roofs and ceilings. With time, every house is bound to have wear and tear, which would mean cracks developing in the ceiling through which water can seep in. Overtime the seepage causes the ceiling to develop mold or discolouration. Every homeowner would want their house to always look beautiful and stay strong, but a leak in the ceiling can be detrimental to that goal. There is a lot of debate if painting over the cracks is enough to resolve this or if a waterproof coating is necessary.

To solve your dilemma, we spoke to a construction expert to understand this in detail.

Protection against harsh weather conditions

When considering options on covering the cracks in terraces or ceilings, the highest priority needs to be given to a solution that can withstand different seasons. In India, most states and cities experience extreme weather conditions during all seasons – summers, winters, and monsoons. 

Cities in the Southern part of the country also have to battle humidity and constant moisture in the air, which further weaken the walls and the ceilings. House exteriors such as the terrace or roof are exposed the most to these harsh weather conditions, whether it is the scorching heat of the summers, heavy rains, or temperature drop during winters. As the seasons change, the ceiling goes through thermal expansion and contraction which causes cracks and leads to water seepage. 

Cover all corners of the terrace

To get the best results from the waterproofing treatment, you need to ensure that not just the surface of the roof, but the corners and parapets are also covered. Leaving out the edges and the walls would still allow moisture and water to seep in and cause damage, thus bringing the problem back to square one.

Paint or waterproof coating – which solution to go with?

To be able to treat cracks in the roof and stop water seepage, you need to treat the surface with a professional waterproofing treatment. A coating of paint might cover the cracks, but it will not be able to hold water out for an extended period due to low elastomeric properties. Over time the paint itself cracks and the water seepage problem starts again. 

A professional waterproofing treatment would include using a PU hybrid coating on the surface, walls and corners of your ceiling that has an elastomeric nature. This provides strength to the ceiling and stops the formation of new cracks, essentially putting a stop to the problem of water seepage. This treatment also lasts for a longer duration since it can withstand harsh weather conditions.

One such product available in the market is Dr Fixit Roofseal. Its PU hybrid coating makes use of nano-fibre technology that spread evenly on the ceiling for uniform coating strength. This treatment has also been found to absorb less heat, keeping the house cooler, as compared to other treatments or products.  

As a homeowner, make the choice to resolve the problem with expert waterproofing treatment, rather than just cover it up with paint.