Roof Coatings

Roofs can be constructed from an amazingly broad variety of bulk materials, including metals, plastics, rubbers, fibers, glass, wood, rocks, ceramics and the list goes on. But as the world is progressing, many revolutions in the construction field have been observed as well. New technologies have been evolving to make the human living more secure and safe. It’s the need of time that the roofing contractors must also be familiar with roof coating. Roof coating is a monolithic, fully adhered, fluid applied over the roofs and has elastic properties that allows it to stretch and return to their original shape without damage.

Finding just a roof coating is not sufficient; the requirement is to find a good coating for your roof that will maximally protect your roof from the weakening factors whether they are the UV rays or extreme weather conditions. There are many types of roof coatings available and there are pros and cons of each of these types. Which type of coating you choose depends on your selection criterion that what is your primary purpose of using the roof coating, whether it is to provide maximum solar protection or roof leak repair etc.

Some of the most common roof coating product categories are:

• asphalt cutbacks and emulsions
• polymer-modified acrylic elastomers and polyureas
• silicones
• high-performance urethanes
• SPF

It is important to select the coating to be compatible with the roof, and the roofing contractor must follow the manufacturer’s preparation and application instructions exactly. If these guidelines are properly followed, the end results will definitely be fruitful.

Roof Repair Coatings

Liquid Rubber Coatings

Coating Leaking Roof

Metal roofs have been associated in the past with tin-covered storage sheds or copper-domed cathedrals. But today's panels of corrugated aluminum or galvanized steel are practical and attractive options. Roofing is one of the most dangerous home improvement jobs.

Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is usually manufactured in steel, copper, aluminum or stainless steel and installed as panels, even if it looks like individual tiles, shakes or shingles. It can be coated in a many different types and colors of paint and other materials. Modern metal roofing frequently carries warrantees of 50 years--if properly installed.

Elastomeric coatings seem like a great idea. A new chemistry that promises to both seal your roof and stop roof leaks, while it reflects sunlight and lowers your air conditioning bill. The home owner can apply it themselves with a paint roller and long handled extension, without ever having to climb around on the roof.

It's too bad, but in my experience, it seldom works this way. The products stick well to bare metal and maintain their reflective qualities. I don't think they hold up well where they have been applied over other patching material. While they have some ability to stretch (that's why they are called elastomeric).

If you choose to try these products you will want to make sure your roof is clean with no loose material from previous patches. You may want to apply primers with mesh around vents and other roof penetrations before coating the roof with an elastomeric product. If you do that, give these repair a few weeks to set before you try covering them with the elastomeric coating.

Elastomeric coatings are applied with a roller. You can do that from a ladder alongside the house if you have a long roller handle. That is probably safer (for both you and the roof) than crawling around on the roof with a short handled roller.

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Coating your leaking roof with elastomeric coatings

EPDM Coatings

Liquid Rubber Coatings

Functions of Roof Coatings

Roof coating is a roofing membrane made of either elastomers (elastomeric roof coatings) or fully adhered monolithic fluid. The roof coating is the outermost layer of the entire roofing system, as it is 20-40 dry mils thick. Therefore, it is the most exposed layer of protection for a roof, and receives the strongest beating from the sun and UV rays, rain and hail, wind, debris, and all of Mother Nature’s most damaging effects.
Roof coatings work in several ways:

1. Roof coating reflect the sun and weather, thereby reducing cooling costs and the need for extensive cooling systems.
2. Roof coating’s elastic properties allow it to stretch and shrink without lasting damage (known as elastomeric roof coating).
3. Roof coatings act as an additional form of waterproofing, while at the same time allowing trapped moisture to escape.
4. Roof coatings can be applied in a range of colors to suit all roofing styles and designs.
5. Some roof coatings are even designed to prevent the growth of moss and algae, and are environmentally friendly.
6. Other roof coatings are capable of preventing corrosion, and are flame-resistant.

Source: Roof Coatings

Why Caulks in the First Place?

Caulk is relatively inexpensive and easy to apply. Caulk serves several purposes:

• It seals cracks which rob your home of conditioned air, making it more energy efficient.
• Different materials expand and contract at different rates and at different temperatures. Flexible caulk can seal the cracks that result from this movement.
• It provides a moisture barrier and seals water away from areas which could be damaged by rot or by the expansion of water as it freezes.
• It prevents insects from crawling through cracks into your home.
• It provides an attractive finish in corners and at the joints of unlike materials.

For further details please visit: http://www.fixallroofs.com/roof_coatings/roof_repair_caulks.html

Polyurethane caulks stands up to traffic

Polyurethane can be dangerous. Not only is polyurethane stringy and odorous, but it also is toxic and potentially hazardous to your health.

So why bother with polyurethane? Because polyurethanes are the only sealants that can stand up to abrasion. Forget that polyurethanes are paintable, flexible, and weather resistant. There is almost nowhere in residential construction that a safer product cannot be substituted -- except for those high-traffic areas. But if you need to seal joints on a floor, on a driveway, or in a garage with frequent foot or vehicular traffic, break out the rubber gloves, the respirator, and the polyurethane sealant.

Polyurethane spray foams cure rigid and have an R-value up to 4.5 per in. But polyurethane foams are tricky to use because they expand as they cure. Polyurethane foams come in low, moderate, and highly expanding formulas, but even minimally expanding polyurethanes grow
up to 300% before they cure.

For further details http://www.fixallroofs.com

Butyls are water resistant

Butyls are exceptionally messy. They stretch like chewing gum and have little or no ability to recover. And they have an unattractive tar like appearance.

But as far as caulk technology has come, butyl is still the most water-resistant product available. For this reason, butyls remain viable. Gutters are a good example of the right place to use butyl. Butyl resists water, and because it never hardens completely, butyl can stand up to the random movement of a shear joint. A shear joint is where two substrates overlap. Roof flashing is another example of a shear joint, and another place where butyl is the best choice. Butyl's resistance to moisture also makes it the best caulk to use on foundations or anywhere a sealant may be needed below grade.

For further details: http://www.fixallroofs.com

RV Roof Repair

RV roof repair can be a complicated job. However when you are talking about RV roof repair you will usually be dealing with dry rot. Many months of wet weather and/or storing your RV in a poorly ventilated garage can necessitate a bit of running roof repair, and the good news is that unless the damage is widespread or severe, you should be able to do this kind of RV roof repair yourself. It’s especially useful if you have a few tools and a friend who can help you with the lifting which is almost inevitable in RV roof repair.

Things to Consider

When you have to make an RV roof repair you first of all have to think about how big an area is damaged. If you can see water damage inside your RV roof repairs are necessary right now, but ideally you will check the outside of the vehicle to avoid that urgency.

How to do DIY RV Roof Repair

First you need to take off all the fixtures and edge moldings from the roof like air conditioning and plumbing vents and a heat gun may be of help with this as you may need to make the roof coating softer for easier removal of these fixtures. Then you should be able to get at the staples holding on the RV roof and remove those. Just be careful if you want to re-use the metal from the RV roof; you should be able to roll this off. Once the roof is off you will be able to see the RV roof insulation; get rid of it if it’s at all wet.

This is where DIY RV roof repairs get a little more complicated, because now you’ll see where all the wires go. You’ll of course need to replace all the wires in the right places, but they are color coded. If you don’t have a wiring diagram, make sure you make one now before you uncouple any wires. Better still – get your digital camera out and take a photo. Only then should you remove any lights or electrical fittings.

Ready to Repair

Now you’ve stripped out your RV roof repairs are made easier. If the damaged area is small you should be able to cut out the damaged piece. The roof should be screwed down so easily removed in panels. Of course, you should make sure any panels you replace are again well secured to the RV framework. Cover any joints with battens that slide in, so the roof is again weather-proof and strong. Remember to cut the holes needed for any roof vents before you do this though!

Then your RV roof repairs are almost done. You need to re-install the wiring and insulation and make sure the roof is completely screwed to the side walls but you’ll then be home – and dry – with your RV roof repair.

For Details visit: http://www.fixallroofs.com