A faded, chalky roof is often the first sign the coating has stopped doing its job. In Pretoria's sun, roof paint breaks down quickly. Once it goes, tiles get porous, IBR sheets start to rust and flat roofs lose their UV protection. Our roof painting Pretoria service uses waterproof coatings, not decorative paint, so you get the new look and a roof that keeps water out.
Roof painting vs roof waterproofing paint: what's the difference?
Standard roof paint is mainly colour and UV protection. Roof waterproofing paint is a thicker, flexible coating, usually water-based acrylic or elastomeric and often fibre-reinforced. It bridges hairline cracks and moves with the roof as it heats and cools. On a roof that leaks, only the waterproofing paint does the real work.
| Roof type | What we do before painting | Coating |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete tiles | Clean, replace cracked tiles, re-point ridges, seal valleys | Primer + 2 coats acrylic roof waterproofing paint |
| IBR / corrugated | Treat rust, re-seat or replace screws, seal laps with membrane | Metal primer + 2 coats elastomeric coating |
| Flat concrete | Repair cracks and seams, clear outlets | Reinforced liquid membrane + reflective top coat |
Can paint fix a leaking roof?
Searches for "paint for leaking roof" and "leaking roof paint" are common, and the honest answer is: only partly. Waterproof roof paint will seal hairline cracks and porous surfaces. It won't fix a failed flashing, a cracked tile, a loose IBR screw or a split membrane seam. Those are repaired first, as part of the same job. If you only have one active leak, a roof leak repair may be all you need.
How we paint and waterproof a roof
- Inspect and mark every crack, lap, flashing and rust spot.
- Clean by low-pressure washing to remove dirt, moss and chalky old paint. Asbestos-cement roofs are never high-pressure cleaned.
- Repair tiles, screws, flashings and cracks, with membrane reinforcement where needed.
- Prime to suit the roof material.
- Coat with two coats of roof waterproofing paint in your chosen colour. Lighter colours reflect more heat.
Roof waterproofing paint price
Roof coating is priced per m² and depends mostly on preparation. A sound roof that needs cleaning and two coats costs far less than one needing many tile or sheet repairs first. Liquid coating systems typically fall in the R150–R350 per m² range in 2026 South African cost guides. See our waterproofing prices Pretoria guide, and get an exact figure with a free inspection.
Estate & HOA rules
Many Pretoria East estates set approved roof colours. Check your HOA or body corporate rules before choosing a colour; we can match approved colour codes.
Related: IBR roof waterproofing, flat roof waterproofing, pre-summer roof checklist.
Areas we cover for this service
We do roof painting & waterproof coatings across Pretoria East: