Roof Coatings: 4 Qualities Your Commercial Roof Should Have
Roof coating is an economical way to improve commercial roofing longevity and is an excellent alternative to roof replacement. Most types of roofing systems are suitable for roof coatings, however, it must have qualities. In this blog, Fortenberry Roofing shares what these qualities are.
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Solid Outer Roofing — The outer roofing needs to have a surface that works with liquids, which means gravel-covered roofs and similar types of roofing are unsuitable. Single-ply roofing, such as EPDM and TPO, has to be thoroughly inspected for punctures and repaired before coatings can be applied. The roof needs to be thoroughly inspected, keeping in mind that whatever the roof’s condition is will be sealed under the coating.
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Substrate in Good Condition — The substrate is the layer that the outer roofing material is fastened to. Residential and commercial roofing systems typically have oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood substrates. The substrate has to have absolutely no signs of moisture damage and has to be repaired if it does, otherwise the roof coating would be sealing it underneath. Areas that require flashing, such as transitions between parapet, wall, or exhaust pipes, also have to be thoroughly inspected for signs of water intrusion.
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No Ponding Water — The roof needs to have proper drainage. This means ponding water needs to be addressed before coatings can be applied, as standing water can weaken the roof coating. Standing water that doesn’t dry out after 48 hours need to be drained to prevent algal growth. Once the slope and drainage issues are addressed, roof coatings can be applied.
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Old, But Not Too Old — Roof coatings are not suitable for brand-new roofs. It takes a few years for a commercial roof to “settle,” which may cause cracks on the coating. A roof that’s about at half or three-quarters of its lifespan is ideal. By this time, issues related to installation errors, manufacturing defects, or the outer roofing settling on the substrate will already be addressed.
If you need the leading commercial roof contractor in West Texas, call Fortenberry Roofing at 1-806-385-6761 or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Morton, Anton, and Plainview, TX.
