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DOES YOUR FLAT ROOF NEED COATING?
Even more so than other roofs, flat roofs require maintenance in order to last. This maintenance typically comes in the form of coating the flat roof. A lifespan of an un-coated flat roof is around 10 years but coating it every five years or so can extend this enormously. Recoating a flat roof should be performed every five years. The recoating process helps to lengthen the roof’s lifespan. Furthermore, recoating at least twice a decade maintains the rooftop’s heat reflection properties. The process is also important to ensure the roof remains waterproof. Coating a flat roof can also save money on costly repairs down the line. How often you need to coat your roof, and which coating is the best, depends on a few factors. The natural elements, such as the blistering sun, the freezing ice and heavy wind gusts wear out a roof. Recoating a roof, however, serves as an effective defense, protecting it from harsh UV rays and reducing energy costs.
In order for the roof coating material to stick, the rooftop must be clean. Sweep the entire roof to remove debris and dirt. If seam repairs are necessary, perform them before applying the coating. Roofing experts also recommend applying a primer to the roofing surface.
The condition of the rooftop should be inspected prior to recoating. Thermal scanners are used to determine areas of wet insulation or weakness, if any. Recoating a damaged roof will not extend its lifespan. Roofs with 25 percent or more wet damage require replacement rather than recoating.
Can You Tell Your Flat Roof Needs Coating?
Flat roofs are not usually actually flat, but instead have a very slight slope. Because of this, the main issue which affects flat roofs is drainage issues. It’s far better to coat the roof as a pre-emptive measure rather than wait for drainage issues such as ponding or leaks and then attempt to correct them. Ponding can also lead to fine cracks in PVC called crazing. Any signs of structural damage are a sure sign your roof needs coating. However, even if you do not have signs of damage and it has been five or more years since your roof was last coated, it’s still worth coating your flat roof.
Alligatoring – One of the surest signs that your flat roof needs replacement is a phenomenon called alligatoring. What happens is the asphalt used to build your flat roof has aged and lost its elasticity, causing it to crack and bubble and look something like the skin of an alligator. Unfortunately, this means that your asphalt flat roof has deteriorated past the point of no return, and will need replacement.
Leaks and moisture – Probably the most common problems with flat roofs, leaks and lingering moisture are issues that can be dealt with effectively, as long as you stay on top of them. Just like any roof, a flat roof will develop leaks, but since it’s flat, the water doesn’t have anywhere to go but straight down. This means that moisture can seep into the roof itself and cause problems that may lead to mold and fungus. The best way to deal with this is to make sure that you have your roof inspected regularly, and maintenanced every time you find an issue.
Buckle in membrane – Most asphalt flat roofs are constructed similarly to shingled roofs in that they are made up of a membrane soaked in asphalt, and then laid across the top of the building to make the roof; unlike shingled roofs, however, the membrane on a flat roof is all one piece. This means that over time, as your house shifts and settles, so too will your roof. Excessive movement can cause buckles in that asphalt membrane, which signals the end of your flat roof’s life. A roof that is buckling is not safe to live under, and can cause major problems down the line. It’s a good idea to get it replaced as soon as possible.
Pooling water – Since your roof is flat, when it rains or snows, there’s nowhere for that precipitation to go. As your home settles over time, the roof itself will shift a bit, meaning it might not be as level as it was when it was first installed. This may cause water to pool in divots and dips in your roof. While most materials are manufactured to hold up to water, you should drain these pools as soon as possible and check to make sure that water didn’t seep into lower layers of the roof. If pooling is allowed to linger, it’s likely to deteriorate the exterior of your roof, shortening the lifetime of the flat roof.
Crack in roof – Flat roofs tend to have more pressure exerted on them, since they are flat instead of slanted. Sometimes this pressure can build up, and if the pressure and stress become excessive, it can cause your roof to crack. In the event that your roof does crack, you should call a professional immediately. In addition to exposing your home to precipitation, a crack in the roof is often a sign that your roof is structurally compromised, and it’s time for a new one.
Flashing – Just like most other materials, asphalt flat roofs tend to expand and contract with changing weather and temperatures. Over time, this continued expansion and contraction can cause the flashing to pull away from the edges and corners of your roof, leading to leaks and moisture that can get trapped inside your roof. The best way to avoid this is to inspect and maintain your flat roof regularly. Once the leaks become significant, or if you have a lot of deterioration in the flashing, you’ll be forced to get a new roof.
Aluminum Coating For Flat Roof
A popular way to coat flat roofs is to use a reflective roof coating. These can include aluminum or silver roof paints. These paints help keep a home cooler in the summer, which saves on energy bills. A flat roof’s silver coating will not likely be made of actual silver–it is more likely to be aluminum based. These paints also don’t look metallic and, in fact, dry white, which gives them a much more subtle effect. They also inhibit fungal growth and are usually self-priming, which makes them a quicker choice for flat roof coating.
Aluminum roof coatings are a great way to protect flat asphalt and rolled roofs from deterioration and costly overheating. Despite their high-efficiency performance, most of these products are a cinch to apply. Start by sweeping the roof to remove accumulated dust and debris, using a pressure washer to eliminate stubborn messes if needed.
How To Coat Your Flat Roof
The first step towards coating your roof is to thoroughly clean it. There is no way to ensure a coating properly adheres unless your roof is thoroughly clean.
It can also be a good idea to use a primer on your roof before painting. Primers will help coating thoroughly adhere. Conversely to what you may think, coatings tend to adhere better to rougher surfaces. Check with your coating manufacturer for primer recommendations.
You can paint on your silver coat roof seal yourself. However, if there are underlying issues such a leaks or ponding, it may be better to use a contractor for a more thorough job. If you do undertake the task, remember to take adequate safety precautions. Make sure your ladders are stable and in good condition, and never work in adverse weather conditions.
