Waterproofing Services

A roof keeps most water out. Waterproofing handles the details that regular roofing misses.

Your shingles shed water. But what about around your chimney? Around vents? In valleys where two roof sections meet? Those spots need waterproofing.

Think of roofing as the main defense. Waterproofing fills in the gaps. Every roof needs both to really keep water out.

Most roof waterproofing happens at transitions and penetrations.

Anywhere something comes through your roof needs waterproofing. Chimneys, vent pipes, skylights, exhaust vents. These are weak spots where water can sneak in.

We use flashing, sealants, and membranes to make these areas watertight. Not just water-resistant. Actually watertight.

Valleys also need extra waterproofing. Water concentrates there and flows fast. If the waterproofing fails, you get leaks. Edges and eaves need waterproofing too, especially in areas prone to ice dams or wind-driven rain.

Chimneys are leak magnets. They're big penetrations through your roof and they're often built in ways that make waterproofing hard. Proper chimney waterproofing has multiple layers - base flashing, step flashing, and counter flashing. Each piece needs to be installed correctly and sealed properly. We also seal the chimney crown and apply water repellent to the masonry.

Skylights are beautiful until they leak. The problem is usually the flashing, not the skylight itself. We install skylight flashing the same way we do chimney flashing - multiple layers working together to direct water around the skylight and down the roof. We also check the skylight seals. Fixing a leaking skylight usually means redoing all the waterproofing, not just adding more caulk.

This stuff is amazing for waterproofing critical areas.

Ice and water shield is a rubberized membrane with adhesive backing. It sticks directly to your roof decking and creates a waterproof barrier. We use it in valleys, around chimneys and skylights, along eaves, and anywhere else that needs extra protection.

It self-seals around nails. If water somehow gets under your shingles, the ice and water shield stops it. On coastal homes or homes in harsh weather, we sometimes cover the entire roof deck with it before installing shingles. That's expensive but it makes the roof basically leak-proof.

Valleys are where two roof planes meet. Water from both sides runs into the valley. That's a lot of water moving fast. Valleys need extra waterproofing beyond just shingles. We use ice and water shield in valleys - it's a self-sealing membrane that sticks to the decking. Even if shingles fail, the membrane keeps water out.

Flat roofs need serious waterproofing because water doesn't run off. It sits there looking for ways in. The entire roof surface is essentially a waterproof membrane. The membrane is only as good as its seams and edges. That's where most flat roof leaks happen. We seal all seams properly, make sure edges and penetrations are watertight, and ensure proper drainage so water doesn't pool.

Living near the ocean is great. But that salt air and wind-driven rain create special challenges.

Wind pushes rain sideways. It gets into places that wouldn't leak in normal rain. Coastal homes need extra waterproofing at edges and walls. Salt air corrodes metal. We use materials that resist corrosion or we treat metal to protect it.

Fog creates constant moisture even when it's not raining. That moisture works its way into any gap it can find. We've waterproofed hundreds of coastal homes. We know what works here.

The best time to upgrade waterproofing is during a roof replacement.

Everything's already torn off. We can install ice and water shield everywhere. We can upgrade all the flashing. We can add extra protection in vulnerable areas.

It costs less to do it during a replacement than to come back later and redo things. We recommend taking advantage of roof replacement to really waterproof your house properly.

Water stains on ceilings or walls mean water is getting in somewhere. Musty smells, especially in attics or crawlspaces, indicate moisture intrusion.

Visible mold or mildew means there's been water present for a while. Peeling paint on exterior walls can mean water is getting behind the siding. Damp basements or crawlspaces often mean foundation waterproofing issues.

If you see any of these signs, call us. The sooner we waterproof, the less damage water causes.

If water is getting into your house, or if you want to prevent it from ever getting in, we can help.

RoofTop Company has been waterproofing homes and buildings on the Central Coast for years. We know what works and what doesn't.

Call us for an assessment. We'll look at your situation and tell you what waterproofing work makes sense. Then we'll do it right so water stays outside where it belongs.