How To Apply An Elastomeric Roof Coating System To A Pitched Roofing Surface
As a manufacturer of water based, eco-friendly elastomeric roof coatings we get asked often about the application processes on our products. These products are nonhazardous and user friendly with easy water cleanup after the job is complete. We are going to cover in the following blog the major steps to applying an elastomeric roof coating on your roof for the best results.
Step 1: Visual Inspection and Replacement of Damaged Building Materials
The substrate and roof to be coated must be in SOUND condition. Physically inspect and repair or replace all damaged areas back to sound and solid condition. Check for drainage to insure no ponding water on lower slope roofs and make sure the roof is adequately vented.
Step 2: Pressure Cleaning
Pressure clean entire roof surface using a water and chlorine solution to remove all surface contaminants. When roof is completely cleaned, rinse with water only and let it dry for at least 12 hours before continuing with project. These coatings have excellent topside mildew protection but will not kill mildew already on the surface.
Step 3: Repair Surface and Patching Imperfections
Patch and Caulk using PERMAPATCH on all cracks, crevices, fractures etc.
Step 4: Taping Seams
Step 5: Primer Coat
Step 6: First Coat of Roof Coating
Step 7: Second Coat of Roof Coating
Step 8: Final Evaluation
Clear Off The Debris And Scattered Leafs
A leaf blower, thats the trick, but a broom can serve the purpose too. Move around the roof and get every particle, leaf, litter, mildew, lichen, fungus, and debris off the roof.
The preparatory cleaning done before is not enough. The wind might have blown particles on the roof, and those particles will hinder the next step. With a leaf blower, the job is fascinating.
You can use reversed vacuum cleaner as well to get rid of the loose dust on the roof.
Does High Solids Silicone Last Longer Than Solvent
Newer to the industry than traditional solvent-based silicone is whats called High Solids Silicone.
Without getting too technical into what the differences are between them, roofing contractors are noticing the high solids showing fewer signs of deterioration that the solvent-based silicone does.
Some tendencies include an increased rate of wear and chalking.
Roofing contractors are using high solids more and more every day. At West Roofing Systems, we are at an approximate rate of 90% high solids/10% solvent-based.
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Apply Products To The Surface
Here comes the major stroke. You need to get the elastomeric roof coating all over the surface of the roof, and you dont want to be stingy about it.
Using the extra product is better than using less. This is what about the color toning magic. Apply sufficient product using a paint roller, preferably a roller with a long handle.
A roller with a short handle will have you bending over again, something you have already done before, and you can avoid it. Use the roller horizontally to fit the shingles pattern and take around five shingles with a stroke.
You will surely want to get this done well once and for all. A roof coating can be slippery, and you dont want to keep stepping on the coated surface to rework poorly coated parts.
Can Elastomeric Roof Coatings Last Longer Than Their Warranty
Yes, and most of them do. It isnt extraordinary to see a 10-year warrantied roof still be in great condition after the warranty has expired.
Brian Chavalia , has seen this personally. He has inspected a roof 15 years after restoration and saw that the topcoat still had all the granules embedded.
If the granules are still embedded, all that coating is still underneath, otherwise, the granules would be gone.
An important fact to note is elastomeric roof coatings will last longer with proper annual maintenance and inspection of the roof, especially after weather impacting events, such as bad thunderstorms and hail storms.
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Best Elastomeric Coating For Your Project
There are many elastomeric products on the market, and not all will be best suited to your roofing needs. When you work with a manufacturer representative like RoofSource, our team of experts can evaluate your project and needs to help you choose from a wide range of excellent coating products from trusted brands.
Protection Against The Elements
Different areas of the country are susceptible to gale force winds, hurricanes, and othersevere weather. Roofing systems with seams provide wedge points that could result inportions of the roof prying off in punishing winds. Elastomeric coatings are a seamlessoption to help prevent rainwater from entering the substrate and, subsequently, leakinginto your ceiling.
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Clean And Prepare The Roof
Mix 4 cups of liquid trisodium phosphate with 5 gallons of water in a large bucket. Spray the roof down with water from a garden hose. Place plastic drop cloths over vegetation below to avoid contact with the TSP.
Pour some of the cleaner on the roof in sections and scrub with a push broom. Rinse each section as you go.
Inspect the roof for loose nails, screws or flashing as you go. Repair as necessary by hammering in nails, tightening screws with a screwdriver and bending flashing back into place with a gloved hand.
Measure the length and width of the roof that needs covering with a measuring tape. Calculate the number of gallons you will need by dividing the total square feet of the roof area by 100. This will give you the actual number of gallons of product needed.
Give the roof 24 hours to dry. Leave the drop cloth in place for the next part of the project.
The Benefits Of Roof Coatings
Roofers Guild is a national network of qualified commercial roofing contractors, each of which utilize Conklin roofing materials. A great number of benefits are associated with roof coatings and restorations. To begin, an elastomeric roof coating can be applied directly on top of your current roof. Additionally, the roof materials of an average business take centuries to degrade, and by keeping that waste out of dumps, youre helping protect the environment.
An elastomeric coating also generally costs much less than a completely new roofing system, and requires a shorter application time. Coatings repair small leaks and damaged areas, while adding waterproof protection. A building owner can even choose a white elastomeric coating for more energy conserving advantages. To schedule an elastomeric roof coating, give us a call at . Not convinced elastomeric is for you? Our expert contractors can help you choose from acrylic, silicone, and polyurea coatings, and pick the one that best works for your budget
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Apply The Elastomeric Coating
Open the container of elastomeric roof coating and mix well using a paint stir stick. Pour a generous amount into a paint pan.
Apply an even layer approximately 1/4-inch thick over the entire roof. Carefully coat the roof edges well.
Give the product 48 hours to dry. Check the roof for any spots that might have been missed. Re-coat those areas if necessary.
Benefits Of Multiple Coats
Once we are all set with the main checklist of elastomeric roof coating in Karachi, we can apply multiple coatings over the roof for providing it more strength into the heat proofing solution.
The coating is nothing but reapplication of the same elastomeric roof coating in Karachi chemicals over the already applied chemical.
Since the main science behind the heat proofing solution is the sunlight reflection, so the better the chemical is more sunlight will leave over the roof.
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One: Collect All The Appropriate Tools And Equipment
You will need to collect the right tools and equipment before you begin working on your roof. For instance, equip yourself with a trowel or roller to evenly spread the elastomeric roof coating material.
You should also choose an appropriate sprayer compatible with the product you are using, as it will save time by not having to stop and clean the equipment continuously.
How Long Will Elastomeric Roof Coatings Last
Are you wondering how long elastomeric roof coatings last? You may be surprised to note that they can last as long as twenty years before a new roof coating is needed. The number of roofing inspections and maintenance that you get over the years will also have a positive impact on the longevity of your roof. Without regular roof maintenance, your elastomeric roof coating may only last ten years. The best way to ascertain the current condition of your roof is to call a qualified roofing company for a roof inspection.
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Clean And Pressure Wash The Roof
Preparation is key to a successful coating application. Before applying the coating, the roof must be clean, dry, and structurally sound.
Remove all debris and dirt from the roof. For heavily soiled areas, loosen the dirt with a broom or brush. Clean the entire surface using a power washer capable of 2,500 to 3,500 p.s.i. with a 30-degree cleaning tip. Keep the tip about 18 inches from the roof surface and spray with a gentle sweeping motion. Use a push broom to push standing water toward the drains.
Allow the surface to dry completely before moving to the next step.
Wait And Reapply Roof Coating
Under preferable weather conditions with temperatures between 15 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius, most elastomeric roof coats will take between 12 hours to 24 hours to totally dry.
After the product is properly dry, apply the elastomeric coating again to wrap up the process. Let the new coat dry off and watch your roof properly toned and protected.
If you notice some parts were not evenly taken care of, you can always reapply the coat till you are satisfied. Generally, applying the coat twice never fails if your product is authentic.
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Elastomeric Roof Coating Reviews And Ratings
From the feedback weve heard from our own clients, plus the customer reviews weve read online at sites like Home Depot, AMES, and others, the general consensus is that people love how effective elastomeric coating is and they like its relatively low price point.
Several reviewers have also pointed out how they really like that it prevents leaking and directs rainwater properly off the roof.
Most of the complaints people bring up are a results of improperly applying the coating, such as applying it too thin or not mixing the solution properly before applying it. Of course you can avoid those problems by hiring an experienced professional.
What Are Elastomeric Coatings
The word elastomeric is basically a fancy word for elastic or stretchy.
An elastomeric coating is a liquid-applied coating that is several times thicker than paint. When applied to roofing systems, it forms a highly resilient waterproof top layer that can easily expand and contract with the roof itself as it responds to temperature changes and weather conditions, all without cracking or tearing.
Elastomeric coatings are typically used on roofs, but they can also provide protective coatings for walls and other applications. Many elastomer types are available on the market, but the most common types for roofs are made from acrylic, urethane, or silicone.
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What Is An Elastomeric Roof Coating
An elastomeric roof coating is a liquid-applied coating that cures into a durable, highly elastic membrane when it dries. The elastic quality makes it easy to apply to most roof surfaces and highly adaptable to a wide range of weather conditions.
Elastomeric roof coatings can be applied over new roofs to provide an extra layer of weatherproofing, or they can be applied to older roofs to seal leaks, reinforce the roofs integrity, and extend lifecycle expectancy.
Repair And Reinforce The Roof
Any areas of damage should be repaired before applying the elastomeric roof coating.
Use Polyglass PolyBrite polyester fabric and mastic to reinforce these repaired areas, as well as around any roof penetrations, curbs, and rooftop equipment.
To address inside corner details:
Apply a generous coat of Polyglass base coat to the inside corner, then embed reinforcing polyester fabric into the corner.
Once the fabric is smoothed into the corner and adhered to the base coat, apply more base coat to seal overlapping pieces of fabric, then cover the fabric area with a saturation coat.
To address outside corner details:
Apply a generous coat of Polyglass base coat to the outside corner, then embed reinforcing polyester fabric over the corner to adhere it, then apply a saturation coat. Then connect the details with an additional 12-inch piece of polyester fabric, applied in the same manner.
To address pipe penetration details:
For pipes, stands, drains, and scuppers that penetrate the roof surface, cut the polyester fabric for the finger flashing so the fabric can cover and overlap the pipe by at least 3 inches.
For the target flashing, cut an opening so the fabric can slide down over the drain pipe. Apply a base coat around the penetration area and work outward horizontally from the penetration point as well as up the pipe. Apply the finger flashing around the pipe, then apply an additional base coating to secure it. Fit the target piece over the pipe and apply a saturation coat.
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Will Elastomeric Roof Coating Stop Leaks
And Elastomeric coating is a material stretches and returns to its original dimensions, like a rubber band. It comes in an acrylic and a non-acrylic nature that is either rolled out or sprayed on commercial and industrial roofing as a single-ply Elastomeric coating membrane. Elastomeric coating is extremely protective from harsh weather elements, the suns UV rays, and foot traffic that is common on many commercial and industrial structure.
To be applied to an existing roof with the intention of stopping leaks, the original roofing material will determine if Elastomeric coating is the right product. A professional commercial roofing contractor will inspect the current roof and make that determination.
So, yes, an Elastomeric coating is waterproof and is used to stop roof leaks and lengthen the lifespan of an aging roofing system. For example, elastomeric coating for metal roofs is common and for a layered asphalt roof, or most single-ply membrane roofing systems. When applied by professional commercial roofing contractors, Elastomeric coating as a restorative coating will seal most any problematic seams, creating a leak-proof barrier on the roof.
Important Considerations When Spraying Elastomeric Roof Coatings
With all this information it can seem a bit overwhelming so we have simplified the airless sprayers that will usually make sense based on the tip size your elastomeric coating recommends before making a decision though you will want to verify via your technical data sheet for your coating or by chatting with us.
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How Long Does It Last
Once applied, elastomeric roof coatings can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, depending on the thickness of the coating and how well you maintain your roof after application. Regular inspections by roof coating experts as well as a combination of regular cleaning and care can keep your roof coating in good condition and maximize its protective qualities for as long as possible.
Spraying Elastomerics And Roof Coatings A Complete Guide
Elastomeric roof coatings serve to protect the underlying roof from rain, sun, and more. To provide this protection roof coatings are typically a thicker material and are often applied in thick coats. The thickness of elastomeric coatings creates unique challenges in applying them. In this guide we will cover what you should know when considering spraying elastomeric roof coatings.
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How Do Roof Coatings Work
Roof coatings are made of silicone, acrylic, or urethane and are designed to reflect heat off of the roof’s surface while also acting as a barrier for wear and tear that might eventually cause leaks or other damage. Highly reflective white silicone coatings are among the most popular, thanks to their weather resistance, cooling properties, and extended durability.
Roof coatings can be applied to many different roofing materials and on roofs with a variety of different pitches and slopes. Almost all types of roofs can be coated, including flat roofs, metal, modified bitumen, BUR systems, and more.
Evaluate And Repair Any Damage
Thoroughly evaluate your roof for any seams or cracks. You can make repairs with a fiber mesh mat or fiberglass. More extensive damage may require patching. Be on the lookout for blisters, cracks, and other problem areas needing attention.
An acrylic roof sealant is a good solution for this step. You can use a trowel or roof brush to apply the patching compound.
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Apply The Initial Coat Of Roof Coating
Begin by reading the directions of the coating product of your choice. Pay particular attention to whether it is appropriate for the slope and material of the roof. Apply the elastomeric roof coating.
You can generally apply coating in one of two ways, depending on the projects particular needs. You can roll many products with a roller or apply it with a paintbrush in smaller areas. Also, there are other products you can apply with a spraying device.
Maintaining a wet edge at all times is imperative when working with a roller. Work from one side from the outer edge, inward and toward the opposite side. Seal any edges around pipes and other roof fixtures.
How Much Does Elastomeric Roof Coating Cost
The cost to have a roofing professional apply this coating typically ranges from $1,000-$2,000 for residential roofs and from $1,500-$3,000 for commercial buildings that have a much larger surface area.
To get an accurate price, its best to ask a local commercial roofing company for a quote. Some companies offer a free inspection and quote.
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