Flat, commercial rooftops take beatings over the years. 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.

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.

What is the best way to prepare the roof?

Prepping the roof for recoating is key to ensuring the roof coating material will adhere. Delay the recoating if rain is in the immediate forecast. Optimum conditions to facilitate the drying of the commercial roof coating materials include low humidity and moderate temperatures.

Extreme weather, such as a hot summer’s day or a cold, winter afternoon, warrant rescheduling the recoating. Issues with cure times and product quality are inevitable under extreme climatic conditions. As a guideline, avoid recoating below 50 degrees and over 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

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.

What roof coating materials are available?

Roof coating materials are available as either water-based or solvent-based options. Urethanes and silicones are examples of solvent-based coatings—and have industry-wide reputations for lasting far longer. Solvent-based coatings are much pricier and require expert care during the application process.

Silicone coatings are often used where precipitation is heavy, since silicone coatings resist moisture from rain just a few hours after application. Urethane coatings feature great tensile strength. Urethane’s molecular spring makes it durable, flexible and able to resist scratches.

Water-based coatings, while less expensive, have a higher failure rate. Acrylic is one type of popular water-based coating. Acrylic coatings are colored white and, therefore, contain reflective properties. While easy to work with, acrylic coatings break down when extensive ponding occurs.

Cost comparisons can direct commercial property owners to the best decision. A silicone sealant ranges from $1 to $1.50 per square foot; the installation ranges from $0.50 to $1 per square foot. Acrylic costs $0.15 to $0.75 per square foot with installation from $0.50 to $1 per square foot.

Although acrylic materials are less expensive to start, recoating the roof will have to be done more frequently. In contrast, high-end silicone usually comes with 25- or 50-year warranties. Humidity levels, UV rays and roof contraction and expansion also influence how often a roof should be recoated.

What are common recoating pitfalls?

Even upon choosing the right roof coating material, unanticipated problems can arise and compromise the coating’s ability to perform optimally. For instance, while many coatings offer waterproofing properties, roof coatings are not designed to seal leaks. Repair leaks and irregularities prior to recoating.

Another issue is the presence of moisture under the coating. Wet areas can result in blistering and delamination. Insulation can become wet and rigid when moisture becomes trapped between the roof’s plies. Plus, the coating cannot seal correctly unless primer is applied first.

The clear solution to possible dampness under the coating is to ensure the roof is completely dry prior to recoating. Remove all moisture from the roof, and scrape away any lingering debris. A dry, clean surface facilitates the proper application of coating materials.

What are the benefits of roof recoating?

Coating a roof may done upon installation, while recoating is done for several advantageous reasons. Waterproofing a roof so that it withstands ponding is a major benefit of recoating a roof. Certain sealants, like silicone, perform better under ponding conditions.

Reflecting heat from the commercial building is another draw. The reduction of indoor cooling costs results from the coating’s ability to reflect solar radiation. The interior air temperature can be reduced by more than 20 degrees with coatings, such as silicone or acrylic, that come in white.

Recoating a well-functioning roof on a regular schedule also extends its life. While all manufacturers claim that their coatings lengthen a roof’s lifespan, industry experts agree that silicone and polyurea perform better in this regard. As mentioned, property owners will pay twice as much to use silicone.

Have Your Roof Recoated by a Professional

A commercial roof should be recoated every five years as a standard maintenance procedure. When your roof is ready to be recoated, call in the experts from Reliable Roofing. They are licensed, bonded and members of the National Roofing Contractors Association.

As the area’s most trusted local roofing contractor, Reliable Roofing will recoat your roof as well as perform any requested roof maintenance services. Our commercial roofing services are comprehensive, and include repair, installation, construction, sheet metal roofing and roofing product selection.

Reliable Roofing services are cost-effective yet high quality. We serve countless area commercial properties, such as retail stores, hospitals, schools, restaurants and office buildings. No matter what type of commercial roof you have, Reliable Roofing has the experience to help preserve its integrity.

Problems with a commercial roof require immediate attention. Reliable Roofing recognizes the urgency, which is why we respond to calls for emergency services within 24 hours. Plus, you’ll receive the benefits of working with skilled professionals who can identify weak points and prevent major deterioration.

Schedule an appointment with Reliable Roofing for your upcoming commercial roof maintenance, installation or repair. We commit to using the highest quality materials in combination with expert workmanship. Our roofing crews are proud to serve local businesses in the Chicagoland area.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.