Tag Archives: Roof Repair

Why Use Roof Coatings?

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 Roof coating is a form of roofing membrane which is monolithic in nature and is applied fully. ­­It has some elastic properties which enable it to elongate and return to its original shape and size without any problems. Roof coatings come in a wide range of thicknesses, ranging from thickness of paint film all the way to 40 dry mils. What this implies is that it can easily be applied on another roofing membrane without any problems. This is particularly helpful as even a very thin layer of roof coating would sufficiently provide protection to an underlying system from rain, hail, harmful effects of sunlight including infrared and ultraviolet as well as physical damage.

If these are applied correctly and according to the recommended standards, roof coatings offer a seamless, protective surface which is an excellent proofing against leaks and water damage. These are acknowledged to be effective in providing an extended life to almost any underlying roof substrate. These provide a cool surface and protect against adverse weather conditions. It must be noted however that cool roof coatings should not be used upon existing shingles. This is due to the fact that these can prevent the normal drying procedures of shingles which would inevitably give rise to water damage and moisture issues. Care must also be taken when applying on asphalt shingles and asphalt roofs.

There are several benefits to use roof coatings as these have been proven to add up to 25 years to the life of a roof, as well as having the distinct advantage of reducing the amount of roof materials that are no longer in usable condition. They can play a significant part in ensuring that the house remains cool which would ultimately translate into lower electricity bills due to lesser air condition usage.

Risks Involved

The majority of flat roofs aren’t appropriately steep, which causes water to mess in several areas, particularly around the drain pipes and scuppers. Various roof coatings aren’t graded or guaranteed for “Ponding Water”, therefore might stop working pre-maturely if subjected to standing water for long intervals. Give serious attention to the overall performance and restrictions of the coatings being picked. Some companies will guarantee their coatings which includes ponding water. Usually, companies for polymer-bonded coatings don’t include guarantees for ponding water, but some polyurethane companies do.

Roof coatings are remarkably easy to install and apply on a growing number of surfaces. If you have a small or medium house, you can make a weekend project out of coating your roof – it is so simple that in most cases, hardly any professional help is required. However, in cases of large roofs, it is advisable to seek the assistance of professionals as there can be countless complications involved.

Keep in mind that roof coatings are not especially useful on surfaces that are expected to undergo consistent pressure and friction, such as pedestrian areas or traffic populated surfaces.

Who Needs Roofing Permits

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Building permits are required in most areas for roofing replacement and for many roof repairs. While most localities do not require permits for painting, many do require that you have a permit for waterproofing.

If this is a do-it-yourself project, the first thing to do is check with your local building inspector. Your building and your project may fall under city or county ordinances. You can usually find the information that you need online or at least the phone number of who to call.

Many roofing jobs will require that you hire a roofing contractor. Some contractors are roofers. They do not do other types of roof repairs or roof maintenance. Other contractors are less specialized. In either case, you should make sure that the contractor you hire has experience, references and insurance to cover worker injuries or damage to your property.

An experienced roofer should be familiar with the building permit requirements in your area. Most contractors are accustomed to dealing with the local inspectors. They know how much time it takes to get a permit and how to get the necessary permits as quickly as possible. Dealing with the local bureaucracy can be annoying to say the least.

You will definitely need a permit if your roof is to be replaced unless you live in a very remote rural area. Minor repairs do not typically require a permit.

The proper disposal of waste products and used materials is one of the typical municipal requirements. Depending on the job, the contractor may be required to have an onsite dumpster specifically for the disposal of waste related to the job.

Special care may be necessary to ensure that waterproof coatings, VOCs and other types of potentially hazardous waste do not end up in the local water supply. The contractor will also need to provide a plan showing that the roof will be structurally sound after the job is completed.

The contractor may be required to provide a portable restroom for employees to use, if a public restroom is not readily available.

Those are just some of the things that the contractor may need to provide in order to complete your roof replacement or repair. The more experienced contractors can tell you about what will be required. Never be afraid to ask questions.

The main purpose of the roofing permit is to help ensure that the construction is done safely and correctly. Workers and the building occupants need to be protected. An experienced roofer will know what it takes to do the job correctly and safely.