Author Archives: Greg Kaz.

How You Could Be Saving Money with An Elastomeric Roof Coating

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Is your business’s roof in need of replacing? Has it aged past its sell-by date and needs a good facelift before it starts to leak into the property? Before you go about cashing in your business insurance for a completely new roof, have you considered refreshing your roof with an elastomeric roof coating? Rather than paying for an entirely new roof, you could be saving money by applying an elastomeric coating and adding years back to your business’s rooftop.

What Is An Elastomeric Coating?

In short, an elastomeric coating is a coating of elastic. It seals your roof from sun exposure and the elements and helps prevent leaks from developing. Adding an elastomeric coating keeps your roof from aging any more than you want it to and can even fix pre-existing damage.

Reason Why It Will Save You Money #1 – Avoid a New Roof

The first and most expensive cost you won’t have to pay for by using an elastomeric roof coating is the price of a new roof. Having your old roof completely removed and replaced is pricey and time-consuming, and unless you have proof of damage, your insurance might not pay for it. The hours of labor and massive volume of materials quickly raises the price of a brand-new roof into the tens of thousands of dollars. Comparatively, laying down an elastomeric roof coating costs near pennies. You’ll be finished soon with more money left in your pocket, and your roof will be as good as new, nonetheless.

Reason Why It Will Save You Money #2 – Save on Energy

Every family has that one parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle who refuses to touch the thermostat even when it’s boiling hot. That’s because energy bills are expensive! Fortunately, elastomeric roof coatings can help cut your electricity bill without sacrificing your comfort. That’s because these coatings are colored with your environment in mind. Think of it this way—on a hot summer’s day; you wouldn’t go out wearing a black because you’d end up sweating to death. So why do we use black roofs? With an elastomeric coating, you can switch your roof from black to white, thus reflecting the sun’s rays off your home and cutting your home’s temperature drastically. 

Reason Why It Will Save You Money #3 – You’ll Save on Installation

Going back to what we said about installing a new roof, one of the main costs is labor. A total roof replacement takes more than a few days, and you won’t likely be able to do it yourself. Paying a team of roofers to work all day for several days quickly adds up. On the other hand, though, elastomeric roofs take about 60% the amount of time. You’ll spend less on labor and less on equipment, and you’ll lose less business from having to stay shut for repairs. In short, an elastomeric roof coating is a far more economical choice than a new roof.

Conclusion

If your commercial roof is looking lackluster, it might be time to make some repairs. But before you go and have the roof completely replaced, consider a better option. Rather than paying tens of thousands of dollars for a tear-out job, think of the benefits of an elastomeric roof coating. In a day, you’ll have all repairs done, you’ll have saved on a new roof, and you’ll be set to continue saving on your power bill down the line. Who knew a new roof could be such a money saver? With an elastomeric roof coating, there isn’t anything to lose.

Getting the Most Out of Your Liquid Rubber Roof Application

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Looking to boost how much protection your roof offers? Dealing with a leaky roof can spell the beginning of a long road to repairs, and if you’re a business owner, you know that those repairs can put you out of business until they’re finished. But if you have a flat or gently sloping roof, you can stop leaks in their track, long before you even have to make repairs. The best way to do this is by laying down a layer of protective liquid rubber roofing. If you’ve already decided to do so, you’re probably looking for a few tricks and tips before you get started. Let’s talk about how you can get the most of your liquid rubber roof application.

Where to Get Started

When it comes to liquid roofing materials, you’ll find a couple of different options. You can opt for a sprayer that would work best for larger areas or opt for a roll-on option. It comes down to how much area you want to cover and how quickly you want to be finished. Generally, a roll-on application will be sufficient for most people’s needs.

While you’re picking up supplies, also be sure to buy some roof cleaner. Before you get started, you’ll first need to prepare the roof by giving it a good scrub. This helps get rid of any dirt, grit, or grime that would cause the liquid rubber roof not to adhere completely. Once cleaned, you can get to work applying the first coat.

Applying the Right Amount

One of the cool things about liquid rubber roofing is that you can apply multiple coats. What’s cooler, though, is that you don’t have to. You will find that, in most cases, a single coat will be enough to protect your roof completely. As little as a few milometers of the product will seal your roof for years and prevent further weathering or aging. You’ll finish quicker and won’t have to spend nearly as much as you would on other roofing products.

Taking Care of Your Own Business

When it comes to roofing concerns, most people worry that they’ll have to pay a professional to do the job for them. This might be true for businesses or homes with sharply sloped roofs, but for the most part, liquid rubber roofs can be applied by anyone. If you’ve ever painted a wall, you’ll quickly realize how similar it is. With nothing more than a few paint rollers, brushes, or a sprayer, you’ll be done in no time.

One of the only true limits on applying your liquid rubber roof is if you cannot access your roof. If you feel uncomfortable and unsafe getting on top of your business or home, we do not recommend attempting a DIY roofing project. Instead, contact a professional and let them help you finish the job. There’s no point in attempting a home repair project if you’re just going to get hurt.

Conclusion

When it comes to roofing, quality, durability, and longevity are what matters. Before your business’s roof falls into disrepair, consider adding a liquid rubber roof coating to help protect it. You’ll put years of life back into your building and not worry about paying for a whole new roof. With the right tools, the right amount of time, and the right mindset, you’ll have a new looking roof guaranteed to keep rain and heat off your business in as little as an hour. Switch to a liquid rubber roof coating, and you’ll see the benefits!

Can I Apply My Own Liquid EPDM?

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RV roof maintenance is a standard part of RV ownership. Therefore, almost every time someone asks whether they can handle roofing repairs or maintenance, the answer is going to be a resounding “yes”. Of course, it’s not just about whether you can do the work, but whether you can do it right. There are a number of products on the market in the liquid EPDM family, and most come either in a roll-on or spray-on format that is easy for anyone with basic handy skills, or anyone who has ever painted in their lifetime.

Choose Your Product and Gather Your Tools

Now that you know you can do the work yourself, it’s time to shop around and find the right liquid EPDM roof coating solution. Since most products are relatively similar, you will want to primarily focus on brand quality and reputation, as well as the specific application process. For example, some people specifically search for a roll-on product because they aren’t comfortable with the spray-on idea. Ultimately, it’s about getting the product that best suits your needs.

You will also want to check out available RV roof maintenance and repair kits, which will include the roof coating that you need, along with primer, seam tape, rollers, brushes, gloves, cleaner, and more. You’ll have everything that you need to do the job in a single package, which can save you the hassle of buying everything separately.

If you decide on a product that doesn’t come in a kit, take notes on the list above for items that you will need to apply the new liquid EPDM coating. Brushes and rollers will be required for liquid products so that you can apply them evenly across the roof surface. You will also want to invest in gloves to protect yourself, RV roof cleaner, and anything else that you need for the job. Check the instructions on the sealer to make sure that you have all the tools that you need.

Prep for Best Results

Anyone that has ever taken on a resealing job will tell you that the products often dry quickly, so you won’t want to waste a lot of time when you actually start the resealing or recoating process. That means that you will need to make sure that you plan ahead to set yourself up for success. Make sure that the roof is clean, free of debris, and that any damage has been repaired ahead of time. Then, when you go to apply the liquid EPDM, you can just roll it on and go, and you’ll be done in no time at all.

If you have any silicone, tar, or other materials on the roof, remove those completely before you start the recoating process. You may or may not need a primer for your application, depending on the product that you choose. Give your RV roof a good wash and dry, and then you will be ready to apply the new liquid EPDM coating. A little prep work really can go a long way.

The Bottom Line

Most of the RV maintenance issues that are required of owners are things that they can do on their own. Unlike passenger cars that often require a lot of dealership service calls, RVs are made for those who like to take care of themselves, and that includes offering easy DIY maintenance solutions. You’ll have to recoat your roof every three to five years, depending on the liquid EPDM that you choose, so there is no better time than now to learn how to do it right the first time.

5 Things to Look for in a Quality RV Roof Sealer

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Sealing your RV roof is a routine part of the ownership process. Typically, when you apply a sealer or coating to the roof, it will last for about three to five years under normal wear and tear. This may vary from one RV to the next, of course. For example, someone who uses their RV on a regular basis and exposes it to many more potential dangers may need to recoat their roof every two or three years. On the other hand, the people who rarely use their RV and keep it in climate-controlled storage may be able to get away with not resealing for five or six years.

Again, this all depends on the condition that your roof is in and the products that you choose. Finding the best RV roof sealer is not an impossible task, but it is one that takes your undivided attention. The following list should help you with choosing the right RV roof sealer, no matter what type of RV you have.

  1. Base Material: Most RV roof sealers are either silicone-based or in liquid EPDM form. Therefore, they will be ready to go when they arrive, saving you the trouble of a lot of extra prep work. Today, EPDM remains a popular choice, and as a base material, it can make a great sealer. Silicone is also a good choice, although it doesn’t have the same benefits as EPDM in some cases. Elastomeric coatings are a type of EPDM with an elastic finish for added protection and durability.
  2. Application Method: The sealing process should be quick and easy, and many seasoned RV owners will tell you that it can easily be a weekend project if you do it right. Therefore, you need to choose products that offer a simple application. Typically, the options for sealants and recoating include liquid products that are either rolled on or sprayed on.
  3. Flexibility: While you want to protect your RV roof from the elements, you also need to make sure that the material will bend and flex with potential damage or debris hitting it. The flexibility will also be helpful to prevent cracking in the event of extreme temperature changes. After all, if you’re looking to get the protection that you need, it’s more than sealing the cracks.
  4. Guarantees: While there is never a guarantee that nothing will go wrong, the leading brands and best products on the market will offer some type of guarantee or warranty on their product. These are the ones that you want to use because then you will have peace of mind that no matter what happens, you have extra protection on your side.
  5. Color or Finish: Although it might seem arbitrary at first, the color of your RV roof sealer will make a difference. For corners and flashing seams, a clear silicone might be preferred. In most cases, people choose a white finish because it will reflect the sun’s rays and extreme temperatures, making the RV more comfortable on the inside while providing top-rate protection outside.

DIY or Do You Need Help?

Typically, applying an RV roof sealer is something that can be done by just about anyone. All of the products come with easy application instructions and don’t take much work at all. Some people might not feel comfortable doing the work themselves, but you can definitely save some money on professional labor if you do. As mentioned above, resealing your RV roof is a regular part of maintenance for as long as you own the RV, so you’ll want to make sure that you take the time to do it right.

What are Elastomeric Roof Coatings?

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There are a number of different roofing options available today, so sorting through all of them and trying to make sense of the different products can prove to be a challenge for many people. Fortunately, it’s not really that difficult to learn what’s out there so long as you are willing to look. Elastomeric roof coatings are made of a composite rubber/polymer compound, much like other rubber roof coatings, but they also have some additional features and benefits.

Elastomeric isn’t just a fancy name—this material actually has an elastic finish that will seal and protect a roof to keep the underlying material safe from the elements or further damage. This material has a lot of benefits to its use, including its elasticity, which makes it ideal for seasonal climates where a roof would need to endure the harsh effects of the changing seasons. The coating itself is made of polymers and acrylics and combined with titanium dioxide or other white pigments to create a reflexive, opaque finished result.

The Benefits of Elastomeric Roof Coatings

An elastomeric coating is going to offer much more flexibility than other rubber roofing materials that you can find. in addition to that, it can be used on many types of roofing, and will offer a long-lasting solution that won’t need as much attention as many other coating materials. This type of coating can also provide advantages like:

  • Mildew and fungi resistance
  • Seamless finish for a better appearance and stronger roof
  • Specific benefits for certain roof materials, such as providing UV and ozone protection for polyurethane foam roofing
  • Lower cooling costs because the surface reflects heat
  • Easy to use and apply
  • Non-toxic and VOC compliant

These are some of the biggest benefits that lead people to consider upgrading their roof coating to an elastomeric product. There are others to be had, and some may even depend on the type of roof you are going to be coating. Check it out for yourself and see what kind of benefits you can find.

Can This Liquid Rubber Coating Be Applied to Any Roof?

Elastomeric coatings can be applied to almost any type of flat roof. However, they may not be the right choice for every single roof or situation. Before you make a decision about any of your liquid rubber roofing choices, it can help to talk to a professional about your options and see what is going to be best. In some cases, Elastomeric coatings might be a great choice. In rare cases, it might not be ideal. How do you know? Although there are plenty of different opinions out there, your best bet is to talk to a roofing professional who can help you decide whether this is the best coating for your roof.

Some common roofing materials that can benefit from this type of liquid rubber coating include:

  • Metal roofs
  • Concrete roofs
  • EPDM rubber roofs
  • PUF roofs
  • Bitumen
  • Modified Bitumen (BUR)

Learn How to Get More Out of Your Roof

Now that you know a little more about elastomeric roof coatings, you will be able to go out and find what you need for your commercial or residential roof. While you’re exploring your options, feel free to take the time to learn about other liquid rubber products to ensure that you choose the best roof coatings for your needs, whether that is an elastomeric sealer or not. Whether you are recoating an EPDM rubber roof or covering the metal roof of a warehouse, this coating can offer much more protection than you might get from a basic liquid rubber roof coating. Plus, with a variety of products available, there is sure to be one that’s perfect for your roof.