TPO ROOF
WATERPROOFING

You’ll often hear that because of TPO roofing’s watertight seams they don’t require any additional waterproofing protection. The truth is not so simple nor convenient. It’s true that TPO’s watertight nature means it supports better waterproofing from the get-go, but that only tells half the story; because like any roof, without a secondary means of protection, they can be damaged over time to see cracks and leaks that compromise the seam-based water repellent functionality. Moreover, TPO roofs are more susceptible to certain types of degradation, such as through seam separation. The heat-welded seams that hold the roof together can separate over time, removing the means by which your TPO roof was watertight. Additionally, TPO roofing can pull away around the edges since there’s only material on one side, but leaks at the edges are just as hazardous as those anywhere in the center. Lastly, because TPO is a thermoplastic, it shrinks and expands more than non-polymeric materials. The consequence of more frequent and extensive fluctuations can cause cracks or reveal other openings in your roof. The point is, when your roof is newly installed and recently inspected, you can expect your roof to remain watertight. However, with age it’s likely your TPO roof will begin to suffer the consequences of prolonged exposure to one thing or another, leading to damage and subsequent water incursion. That’s why employing the help of a dedicated waterproofing material like ArmorThane’s polyurea can help ensure that you can make the most out of a TPO roof’s benefits without having to worry about throwing a sudden pool party in your living room.