Chris Fletcher, Technical Services Chemist at Thompson’s, takes us through some useful products designed to reduce the effects of rain damage this winter.
As the harsh weather hits, much of the trade’s focus moves from improvement to repair. Few people’s idea of fun – having a good selection of waterproofing and repair products in the back of your van can at least ease the pain, helping you get the job done as quickly as possible and achieving a long-lasting result.
Whether it’s external walls exposed to hard driving rain, or low garden walls susceptible to water penetration or freeze-thaw damage, there are water seal products available that can be brushed or rollered on to brickwork, concrete or stone to provide long-lasting waterproof protection. Water-based alkyl polysiloxane resins, such as Thompson’s One Coat Water Seal, offer the benefit of being just that – just one coat is required, which can be applied to damp surfaces to offer protection against rain damage within hours. Just always make sure the entire surface has been coated and no small patches have been missed – and job done.
For roofing repairs, it pays to understand the most suitable product for your needs. Acrylic resins are great to fill and bridge small gaps and holes, as they can be applied directly to damp surfaces, flex with the natural movement of the roof and protect against UV damage. Look for products with a high-solids formulation – and for a solution for all weathers, make sure to choose products that can be applied in the wet and work immediately, such as Thompson’s Emergency Roof Seal, which is ideal for small repairs on all roofing types including felt, asphalt, slate and tiles. Simply brush away any ponded water from the area of repair and apply a thick layer of the coating.
If you’re faced with deeper cracks, compounds with a very high viscosity, high-solids formulation work best – and look for those with specially selected ingredients that repel water. Products such as Thompson’s Emergency Roof Repair Mastic can fill and bridge gaps, drying immediately to leave a watertight repair, even in heavy rain or under ponding water. A trowel or pallet knife is needed to work the mastic and for larger cracks and voids use a scrim bandage to reinforce the repair.
Aerosol products are a nifty way to prepare leaking gutters and downpipes quickly – particularly any hard-to-reach areas. Thompson’s Emergency Instant Repair Aerosol is a great example. It can be applied to damp surfaces and is effective immediately. A scrim bandage is also included for deeper cracks and repairs.
Of course, ‘emergency’ repair products are for just that – and should only be seen as a temporary measure. More permanent repairs should be completed within a month of initial application. Seek out flexible products that can move with the natural movement of the roof – and resistance to UV rays is also important. For this, Thompson’s 10 Year Roof Seal is definitely worth a look. Its combination of acrylic polymers, fillers and pigments outperforms standard bitumen paint and the fast-acting formula is rainproof in just six hours.
Last year, research by Aviva found that 6.4 million homes experienced damage from extreme winter conditions, with the most common damage to roofs. Having the right products to hand makes it easier to ‘pop’ to do those quick repairs, helping your customer in their time of need – and adding more profit to your bottom line.
For further information on Thompson’s visit https://www.thompsonsweatherproofing.co.uk/
