Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

cristalhombre

Sep 6, 2004, 10:46 PM

Post #1 of 8 (6131 views)

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waterproofing the roof?????

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Question for the "construction" brain-trust.

I own a home in Ajijic (20 years old) with the traditional tile roof and boveda ceilings (I think that is the correct name). I have heard that you must remove the tiles and coat underneath these with a water proof sealer. My assumption is that this is likely a bituminous mix (tar like). The questions are .....1. Is this a true?? how often do I have this done? Do I do this a preventitive measure, or wait for the drips?? My house is about 1500 square feet (one level) with easy roof access. what might the cost be? how long does it take to do the job (assuming someone works consistantly)?? any recommendations of someone in the Chapala/Ajijic area who does this work.

thanks

Brad in Vancouver USA

"NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST...."

Brian

Sep 14, 2004, 12:12 PM

Post #2 of 8 (6070 views)

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Re: [cristalhombre] waterproofing the roof?????

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I hope someone knowledgeable will respond to this question. I have a leaky boveda ceiling. The exterior tiles over the boveda are azulejos and I assume it would be a very extensive job to remove and reinstall them. I was thinking of just foregoing the beautiful azulejo effect and slopping waterproofing over them. Hope someone has a better idea.

abq

Sep 14, 2004, 1:12 PM

Post #3 of 8 (6063 views)

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Re: [Brian] waterproofing the roof?????

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I have a bovida ceiling that is painted on the outside with white impermiable paint. I have this done once a year. No problem with leaks.

ccwtr

Sep 14, 2004, 1:41 PM

Post #4 of 8 (6056 views)

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Re: [cristalhombre] waterproofing the roof?????

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Hi
My name is Eddie Palmer,my wife Jeannie & i have a small
casa @ Vista del Lago & had to reseal roof ,dec.2003.
Go to the caddy shack at the Golf Club
Ask for guy named Chewy,he done a perfect job.
At a fair price.
My email is aqua544@yahoo.com
I hope this works as a reply
as for 3 years i have only read post'
Eddie Palmer

jreboll

Sep 15, 2004, 10:01 PM

Post #5 of 8 (6010 views)

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Re: [abq] waterproofing the roof?????

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I have used this white paint on my house. The brand name is Fester and you can find it any paint store in Mexico.

jennifer rose

Sep 16, 2004, 1:10 AM

Post #6 of 8 (6005 views)

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Re: [Brian] waterproofing the roof?????

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Contact a professional such as Fester. Waterproofing's their business, and many of these companies will guarantee their work for 5-7 years. It involves more than just slapping some impermabilzante over the roof and hoping for the best.

esperanza

Sep 16, 2004, 6:12 AM

Post #7 of 8 (5999 views)

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Re: [cristalhombre] waterproofing the roof?????

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Several years ago my gardener went up to the mirador to water the potted plants--and the water cascaded into my office. Time to call the roofers--past time.

When the estimate (2000 pesos, if I recall) was given, it was to scrape off the several prior layers of sealant and start from scratch (a well-chosen word, as it turned out). Two days later the crew showed up and started scraping off the old layers. The boss knocked on my door with a sad look on his face. "Véngase pa'arriba, señora, nos dio una sorpresa." (Come upstairs, we got a surprise.)

In the places where the old sealant had been scraped off, the roof tiles were visible. The boss bent over and scratched at the grout with his fingernail: sand. I went to another spot and scratched on the grout myself: same story. The heat of the sun had turned the grout (which apparently had been made from an inferior mixture to start with) to nothing.

The result was that I had to call for other estimates to replace the entire roof; we ended up spending about ten times more than what had originally been thought, but the roof has held--so far.

Moral of the story: until you get up on the roof and find out what really is going on, don't plan on merely slapping some sealant on it. It could just need a new coat, and it could need a complete overhaul.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

abq

Sep 16, 2004, 6:12 AM

Post #8 of 8 (5999 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] waterproofing the roof?????

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If the guarentee is only 5-7 years, I hope they don't charge too much. Otherwise, I'd just stick to the impermiable paint myself. I think the bovida ceilings are more common here in SMA and they are almost always just painted over on the outside after having been initially covered with stucco.