No building is complete without a quality roof making it a proper shelter. So if your building’s roof is currently suffering from issues that compromise its reliability, you should move quickly to address them. Roof restoration may seem like a challenging task, but it’s actually quite easy so long as you have a quality coating on your side.

Considerations before Beginning

Before you get started, there are a few things you need to consider. First, roof coatings aren’t a good idea for roofs made of gravel or foam or those above cathedral ceilings. You also want to avoid using them on roofs that are experiencing issues with puddles forming. Any other high-risk issues should involve the opinion of a contractor before starting.

In terms of weather, it’s ideal to apply roof coatings on a nice cool day. Working on a roof can be a hot endeavor when the sun is high in the sky, which is why it’s best to install your coating during the spring or fall. At the very least, if you have to do it in the summer, begin in the early morning.

Prepare the Roof

While roof coatings are easy to install, they won’t bond with the surface of your roof if you don’t first prepare it. This means cleaning the roof thoroughly. Any speck of debris left will cause issues.

Be sure to inspect the roof as well for any areas that may need repairs. While you may already know about one repair—perhaps the one that prompted you to begin the coating process—now’s a good time to check for other issues. Plasters, caulk, sealants, and more are a good way to handle cracks and leaks, but this is also why you should inspect your roof early on. Those materials will need to set and dry before you can put any roof coating materials over them.

Before applying the coating, make sure the entire roof is dry, especially as you should have been using water and other chemicals to clean it off.

Apply Your Coating

How exactly you apply your product will depend on the roof coating manufacturer you went with. Be sure to read the directions. However, most roof coatings can be applied with a simple paint roller attached to an extension pole to make things easy. Pour the coating out into a dipping pail and then apply a top coat first. You want about 100 square feet of roof covered for each gallon, so pace yourself accordingly (again, check your brand’s instructions to confirm).

After that, apply two more coats. Make sure you’re not over-rolling the material either, as this will make it too thin to be effective. You want nice thick coats and the 100 square foot/gallon pace should achieve that.

Throughout the year, wash your roof regularly if it’s important for you to keep the reflective property it provides. Otherwise, just be sure to monitor it for any maintenance it may need.

Roof coatings are just that easy to apply. Making them an even more attractive option is how cheap and effective they are too.

If you’re in the market to bolster or fix your roof, hopefully you’ve already heard of liquid roof applications that use EPDM. While this material may be one of the most popular on the market, there are still some things you should know about it before applying it to your roof.

It Works Best on Flat Surfaces

One of the many benefits of liquid rubber is that it’s so versatile. You can use it on your home, your company’s building, your boat, your RV, etc. However, while people have used liquid rubber for vertical applications, it really works best on flat surfaces.

You Need to Clean Your Roof First

Furthermore, before applying your liquid roof product, it’s essential that you clean the surface until it’s bare and free of all debris, dirt, foliage, etc. If you’re using liquid roof repair products, be sure that you have addressed the damaged area first. Otherwise, the liquid roof will have a hard time bonding with the surface and pieces of the broken roof could fall away and leave an unsupported layer of EPDM. Caulk any areas that my need a seal but be sure you use a non-silicone option to do it, otherwise you’ll have issues with the rubber.
Just like with painting, cleaning the surface will probably be the most time-consuming portion of the installation, but it’s no less essential.

You Should Avoid Some Materials

No matter how flat or clean your roof is, some materials just don’t work very well with liquid rubber. If a contractor is handling the liquid rubber floor coating on your roof, they should know whether or not their EPDM will work for your building. Otherwise, check the label. Generally, though, the following don’t work well:

• Glass
• Stainless Steel
• Modified Asphalt
• Asphalt Shingles
• Decks, Porches or Other Highly-Trafficked Areas
• Wood

That still leaves a world of popular roofing options though. Everything from most metals to fiberglass to concrete is still possible. Liquid roof RV repair has even become common because most vehicles are made with materials that respond well to EPDM.

It’s for More than Just Repairs

Something like 90% of EPDM liquid rubber roofing solutions are sold to help repair an area that has broken down. While liquid rubber is definitely a great way of handling a section of your roof that has become compromised, don’t forget that you can also apply it long before a problem occurs. When properly applied, liquid EPDM will last for decades, meaning you don’t have to worry about repairs for a very long time—if ever.

It’s Affordable

Whether you buy and install the liquid roof yourself or pay a contractor to do it, you won’t break the budget with EPDM. Despite the many ways it creates a superior roof, it’s still one of the most affordable solutions on the market.

Keep the above in mind and choosing liquid roof and/or having it installed will be an easy process. Best of all, by understanding which conditions best suit this amazing material, you’ll experience its full benefits too.