Improper Prep
Preparation is key for any type of installation to come out perfect. Double checking that the groundwork is complete is especially important when spraying a roof coating.
An installer not doing his or her due diligence in correctly preparing the surface of a metal roof is likely going to see the eventual failure of the coating they’re installing.
Adhesion is the name of the game, and the coating won’t stick if the roof is dirty or wet.
Older roofs exposed to the elements are especially in need of careful preparation. Not only does the surface need to be clean, but it needs to be dry too. If there’s any dew, frost or other moisture, the coating won’t adhere to the metal.
Not clearing the roof of any flaking material that was previously installed will have the same result.
Making sure the screws and metal membrane layers are pretreated properly with mastic grade coating or caulking is also necessary to ensure a good coating will stick for years to come.
Ultimately, prep sets you up for success. If you’re not doing your preparation properly, you’re not going to get a good installation of a protective coating.
Application Errors
Even if the preparation is done well, using low quality materials for the final coating will lead to failure. The old adage, you get what you pay for applies here. If the product is cheap, it’s probably cheaply made.
Using the wrong type of coating will also lead to the decline of the roof’s coating.
Making sure to ask questions of your contractor (or potential contractor) about what type of material is being used will help you better understand if the coating used will indeed last a long time.
For example, in our colder Alberta climate, acrylic coatings don’t work as well as silicone coatings. Acrylic is more susceptible to pooling water and UV damage. Being water based, acrylic can harden and crack and become unstuck. Silicone, however, is a great product to use here in Alberta. It endures the cold well and withstands UV light and water.
A new to the market coating called Naturaseal is a product that Beyond is considering using on future projects. It’s made from recycled materials which means it’s environmentally friendly. It’s been quite successful in Ontario, so our team at Beyond is hopeful it will do well here in Alberta too. More on that in another blog one day.
The improper technique when applying the coating is another way the coating can fail. If a silicone coating is being applied over an acrylic coating, even a clean and dry acrylic coating, it’s bound to deteriorate over time.
