Roof Coating and its Benefits

Roof coatings are made up of a specialized material that is used as the additional protective layer on the finished roof. As roofs nowadays are made up of several materials including aluminum and other metals that may be subjected to corrosion because of repeated exposure to sunlight and rain and other adverse weather conditions. So the roof coatings acts as the layer of defense between the roof and the weather outside. It varies in thickness. It can be thinner than a paint coat and can be thicker than paint coat as well. So it depends upon the condition of the weather that they may have to deal with that determine its thickness and other factors, such as the quality of the material they are made. They vary in quality and prices. If the coating is applied effectively and correctly, it appears seamless, i-e it does not appear as a separate coating on the roof.

It is said that the most critical and difficult weather element to control is water. The last line of defense that is used for waterproofing of the roofs is roof flashing. Roof flashing is simply a metal sheet usually made up of aluminum that is placed between the walls and roofs in order to restrict the water to enter into the inside of house walls and roofs and cause damage. One of the major benefits of Liquid EPDM is that this layer helps the flashing material to bind with the asphalt to provide more concrete waterproofing.

So one of the most practical aspects roof coating is the waterproofing of the roof. So it not only makes a roof waterproof but it also reduces the exposure rate of the roof to the humidity and rain that may enhance the rate of metal or roofing material corrosion. Another such material that can be used for the waterproofing is liquid rubber coating. It can be easily applied to any roofing material including metals, fiberglass or concrete. It is also long lasting and very durable. The time after which you may have to change a rubber coatings, is far greater than the ordinary coating.

Alongside with the waterproofing, the coating also helps protect the roof from the intense exposure to sunlight that may cause damage to the roof. It absorbs most of the ultraviolet rays and slows down the damage rate of the roof. However coating also has a life period after which it gets damaged and may not remain as effective. Still it is a good option to coat your roof as to change a coating is much less costly and difficult as compared to roof changing.

Moreover coating possesses an elastic nature. As with the changing weather, there may be a change in the size and shape of the roof as it expands in summer and retracts in winter. The coating has the ability to expand and retract with the roof. In this way it remains intact and firmly attached to the roof without the danger of getting ruptured broken.

The procedure of applying roof coating is same as the procedure of applying paint. Apply the coating in successive layers. Allow the layer beneath to dry completely before applying the new layer. You can apply as many layers as you want until you achieve the desired thickness.

According to an estimate, the application of roof coating increases the life of your roof by 20 to 25 years.

For product information or ordering Visit their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/liquidepdm or call them at 855-281-0940.

Spring Roof Inspection

Here we are Feb 9th and for many of us north, spring can't get here quick enough.  Just like we did in the fall when spring does arrive we should conduct a roof inspection.  For those of us who get snow we all know too well the damage caused by pooling water and ice and how it can get up and under your shingles.  Also wind and gutter damage are the main culprit’s that can lead to costly repairs down the road. Walk the roof and look for ripples or loose seams or other signs of distress.  Look particularly at the corners and edges since most leaks will occur in these areas. 

Besides the roof itself we should also be inspecting the interior of the homes.  Attics in particular, look for any signs of water stains, then on walls and within corners of the walls all could be pointing to a roof leak be sure that you have a qualified roofer conducting the inspection. Something many of us overlook is our vents and chimneys.  These areas are prone to mold caused by water getting in between and trapped in your vents. 

Also check your warranty to see if repairs are possible that do not conflict with restrictions of the warranty.  When looking for a roofer be sure you choose one that has proven themselves as an established roofer in the area.  Your local BBB is good place to start.  Ask your neighbors or people in any clubs you belong to for a referral.  Having a roofer catch a problem now will prevent hundreds if not thousands of dollars later in expense. 

Liquid EPDM Rubber Coatings are aftermarket roof sealants

A number of aftermarket roof sealants are available, including urethanes, acrylics and liquid rubber. Liquid EPDM rubber is by far the most durable of the sealants available and has the widest range of applications.

It is more water resistant than other rubbers, including neoprene. It is more resistant to swelling and has a wider range of acceptable temperatures. It can be applied directly to practically any roofing material other than asphalt and can even be used on wood that has been primed.

Liquids have an obvious advantage over sheets. Sheets have seams. Seam sealers eventually deteriorate and water gets through the seams and under the sheeting.

Liquid EPDM can be used on top of neoprene, although some pre-treatment of the surface is required. Just knowing that the liquid rubber is recommended for use on top of the other type of rubber should be an indication that the material is more durable.

Liquid EPDM can also be used on top of polyurethane after a light sanding. It is somewhat surprising that urethanes are still used as aftermarket roof sealants. It is known that the structure is damaged by UV light and that discoloration occurs relatively quickly. Anyone who has made the mistake of using urethane as a roof sealant should consider applying liquid EPDM to truly protect the roof.

The liquids can also be used to seal existing leaks. They are self-adhering and fill up tiny fractures that let water through. It is a good idea to use a thick coat and cover the entire surface instead of attempting to only cover the leaky area.

When covering the entire roof, the liquid rubber reduces heat buildup. Not only does the roof stay cooler, but the interior of the building or the vehicle will also stay cooler. This benefit may reduce heating costs and keep the occupants more comfortable.

Liquid EPDM has become the most popular choice for RV roofs, because of all the above-mentioned advantages. It extends the lifespan of the roof and requires less maintenance. It lasts up to three times longer than any other aftermarket RV roof sealant and also reduces noise from rain.

As far as price goes, most sealants are similar in price. Depending on where you buy, EPDM may be a little more expensive, but because primers and additional coats are not usually necessary, and because it lasts so much longer, owners who choose this aftermarket roof sealant save money in the long run.

THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN USING LIQUID RUBBER

1)       Catalyst must be added prior to use.  Scrape sides of container with a Liquid Rubber spatula to ensure catalyst distribution.

2)       Xylene or Mineral Spirits Solvents may be added to adjust viscosity or for clean-up. 

3)       Easiest way to spread the rubber on a flat surface is to broadcast material with a rubber squeegee then roll using a short nap roller.  Product is self leveling.  A flat spatula can be used for small areas. 

4)       Product has a long pot life after catalyst has been added; 4-6 hrs. depending on temperature. 

5)       Only temperature affects the rate of cure.  Relative humidity has no influence. 

6)       Product is hydrophobic (sheds water) so substrate to be coated must be dry initially.  The uncured rubber can get wet or even have ponding water, with only a cosmetic effect after application, and will still cure.

7)       The rubber will penetrate into porous substrates such as wood and poured concrete.  A primer/sealer should precede application of rubber. 

8)       The chemical reaction of the catalyzed rubber can be arrested by freezing the material.  This can keep material usable for weeks or months.  To use again simply allow it to reach room temperature and apply.

EPDM Ambient Curing Systems

The industry has been trying to develop a cure mechanism that would make it possible to crosslink EPDM polymers at ambient temperature for some time.   One such polymer became commercially available in 1990 resulting in the development of EPDM Liquid Rubber as a commercial product. 
           
The chemistry in the liquid version is substantially similar to that of the EPDM single ply sheet.  A pendant group grafted to the polymer chain and the cure mechanism are the major differences.
          
The cure mechanism in the EPDM Liquid Rubber can be described as a free radical initiated polymerization.  Organic peroxide was chosen as the catalyst because it produced the best cured properties as well as a long pot life after mixing.

Cured films of EPDM Liquid Rubber have excellent weatherability, are not thermoplastic, can withstand high temperatures (up to 300° F), remain flexible at very low temperatures (brittle point is –62° F), have resistance to acids, alkali’s and polar solvents, and can withstand total water immersion indefinitely. Compatibility and performance should be the main criteria in choosing a liquid coating.  The following comparison lists the pros and cons of various types.

Application of Liquid EPDM Rubber

Liquid Rubber® may be applied at any temperature that permits it being spread onto the surface. It will waterproof immediately upon application. The solvent will evaporate at a rate governed by temperature but will not be affected by relative humidity. Exposure to freezing temperatures before cure has taken place will not damage the film. The time necessary to reach cure should not be a concern as this process will occur automatically. Exposure to sunlight will accelerate the curing process. The final film properties of the cured membrane will be the same regardless of the time required to achieve cure.  EPDM Liquid Rubber® will provide long term protection even under extreme exposure conditions.  It is resistant to temps of 300 degrees F and minus 62 F.  Liquid rubber is water resistant even in an uncured state.  An unexpected rain shower shortly after application will not wash it off.  The slow cure and non-polar nature of EPDM Liquid Rubber® gives it outstanding surface wetting properties.  The product does not fill cracks and crevices but will produce an even film penetrating even the smallest surface irregularities.  When EPDM Liquid Rubber® is applied over porous surfaces such as poured concrete, pinholes will appear on the surface as the material slowly displaces the air in the pores.  This surface wetting feature enables the product to be applied in a SINGLE COAT and the still results in complete film integrity.  EPDM Liquid Rubber® can be applied to hot surfaces encountered during the summer.  The solvent in the system will flash off rapidly but the polymer will remain soft long enough to permit overlapping even after 1-2 hours.  The cure rate is still controlled even at temps up to 120 degrees.  The product can, therefore, be applied on the hottest day.  The controlled cure rate also results in a longer pot life, giving the applicator more than adequate length of time (4-6 hours depending on temperatures) to use the mixed quantity of material.  Adhesion will increase over time.  Polar surfaces such as metal, concrete and wood result in stronger adhesion than non-polar surfaces such as asphalts.  Most weathered surfaces including single ply and thermoplastic membranes will have enough of a surface profile to anchor the EPDM Liquid Rubber®

By itself, the EPDM Liquid Rubber® membrane will exhibit the characteristics of its EPDM chemistry i.e. U.V. ozone stability, excellent ponding water resistance and long-term retention of flexibility.  EPDM Liquid Rubber® applied over generally sound singly ply EPDM can extend its life another 20 years.  The useful life of metal roofs will also benefit greatly when EPDM Liquid Rubber® is applied. It is recommended that a corrosion inhibitive primer first be applied to areas where severe rusting has occurred.  EPDM Liquid Rubber® does not contain any corrosion inhibiting pigments but it is such an effective moisture barrier that it can be applied directly over light rust without a primer.  For more information contact epdmcoatings.com at 866-311-3736 or visit their website at http://www.epdmcoatings.com.  They also have a blog filled with discussions from customers as well as valuable information on the product at http://liquidroof.blogspot.com/

EPDM Roof Coatings are the best option for flat roof repair

EPDM is a black synthetic rubber single-ply roofing system that is typically mechanically fastened to the roof deck with screws and plates. They are sometimes covered with a layer of gravel or ballasted rock. Some of the problems with EPDM roof include moisture gain under the membrane itself, poor self-attachment at the seams and around pipes and other fixtures, UV radiation causing sealants to dry out and crumble, tenting, and punctures. EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a synthetic rubber waterproofing commonly used on roofs.

Once thought to be incompatible with (electric field vector mapping system), due to too much black carbon interference, now has compatible grey and white versions! What does this mean? It means that if you want to use EPDM waterproofing under your green roof you can also have the peace of mind by having one of the most accurate leak detection systems installed as well! In many cases the leak detection system is cheaper than the waterproofing warranty as well.

 There are lots of types of roofs that a house can be designed with. The most usual type is the ridged roof, composed of a sheet made of different materials and laid on an inclined rafter. This is the most practical type of roof while it has sufficient slope to catch and release precipitation. These are common to most residential houses but are rare among skyscrapers and slab-ended buildings. However, there are buildings and houses that have flat roofing design. This type of roof has no proven benefits over the typical ridged type and is even vulnerable to collection of precipitation.

They only use this type of roof for architectural purposes. Because it is relatively flat, there is a small chance of water to freely slide through the slope and escape when there is ice formation blocking alongside eaves. Houses with flat roofs are prone to leaks during rain. This is a major problem unless immediately repaired. In cities like Shelton, there are roof repair companies that offer adequate roof repair methods that can be applied for various cases including leaks on a flat roof. However, roof repair method for flat roofs includes the following steps that can be done by the owner of the house without the help of a professional.

There are plenty of great things about EPDM commercial flat roofing that will protect you cash, especially in the long run. This kind of flat roof investment is flawless for individual buildings that have odd structures which typical roofing materials cannot fit well above. With EPDMs flexibility, it could fit on just about anything you deploy it on! This brings on in easier and cheaper installations, better waterproofing, along with a roof that lasts longer.

Repair costs are a huge issue with many businesses and might result in financial crises, but with EPDM Roof Coatings most repairs of punctures and tears are so cheap and easily done that you’ll hardly notice them. With very few repairs and maintenance jobs required for an in depth period after its installation, EPDM has demonstrated for being the single most inexpensive and protective roofing materials you should purchase.