Modified Bitumen Roof Coatings – are they necessary?
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ToggleIn a recent article, we took a closer look at a single-ply modified bitumen low-slope roof membrane that had never been properly coated to preserve an extended life of the membrane. Instead that particular roof membrane was exposed to direct sunlight without a reflective coating and therefore had experienced accelerated deterioration from near limitless exposure to the elements and ultraviolet rays.
You can take a look back at that article by clicking the following link at the article heating below:
The Importance of a Coating On Some Modified Bitumen Roofs
Roof Coated With Non-Fibered Aluminum Paint
Today we’re looking at a different roof that has a very similar layout but happens to have been coated with a non-fibered aluminum paint. This type of coating material is extremely inexpensive and better than nothing but in most cases we’ll recommend a similar coating type but one of much higher quality. At least though, in this case since this roof has been coated it will extend the roof life cycle, even up to or more than double it’s potential lifespan, than if it were to not be coated at all.
This particular roof, although it has been coated which is much better than nothing, still needs a little bit of regular upkeep and maintenance. This particular membrane has not been cleaned for years and it’s happened to be directly below an elm tree which has dropped tons of leaves and sticks directly onto the roof. These items should definitely be removed to allow water to flow freely from the front of the membrane towards the back at the rear drain.
Improve Roof Reflectivity By Cleaning – Reduce Energy Bills
Also, by cleaning this membrane, the roof reflectivity will improve which will help with energy bills for cooling in the summer. The energy required to cool a building has a major environmental impact, so keeping a roof clean actually, through a series of interconnected causes and effects, helps the environment significantly. The dust layer on this particular roof happens to be so thick that It will require a thorough cleaning. Before the application of a new coating, we recommend a thorough cleaning with a detergent or tri-sodium phosphate or trisodium phosphate alternative. The use of phosphates, and recapture of phosphates is a potentially significant issue for both the environment today and the long term sustainability of survival on the planet Earth, so we caution against the use of phosphates without extreme care as we recommend that if it is used, care be applied to use it sparingly and judiciously. Phosphates are simply a scare and non-renewable resource here on Earth.
Improve Roof Lifespan With Proper Care And Maintainance
Smart proactive replacement, construction, upkeep and maintenance of low slope roof systems requires an enthusiastic interest and understanding of waterproofing principles and building science. Here in Washington DC, historic and modern residential and commercial buildings are extremely expensive and the roof and related systems provide the shield that preserves the building.
We encourage all of our clients, and all readers of this article and to our blog in general, to prioritize the value of quality construction and building maintenance, and develop a relationship with our company. You can learn a lot more on our blog. Feel free to check it out. If you have questions about the roof and related systems of your building in Washington DC, fill out the webform below and drop us a line. We will be in touch if we can help.