Single Ply Membrane Coatings

tomdaleh

I have customers with single-ply TPO or PVC roofs who may need a new roof but either don't have the money to replace it, so I'm curious as to whether the the coatings that some of the manufacturers are pushing for TPO/PVC membranes are all they are cracked up to be?

1) Has anyone used any of the single-ply membrane coatings available?
2) What have your experiences been with them?
3) When is the use of such a coating warranted on a single-ply membrane, if ever?
4) Suggested manufacturers and/or products?

Much Obliged.

Grumpy

Some of the liquid applied systems out there first require a primer for various single ply. For example EPDM usually requires a primer.

I however haven't done a complete coating on a single ply yet. I have however done seam and penetration restorations on single ply with good results.

Nothing that had rock is with coating, for example ballasted epdm.

The warranty usually comes from following the specs of the manufacturer which most often is reinforced or taped seams and no less than 3 gallons per square applied in multiple coats.

__________________
-Grumpy
Chicago Gutters Chicago Roofing

Rosco

Hey Grumpy...

I was at a mfr training session when the topic of coating ballasted came up. They showed pics from some guy trying it, and the results weren't pretty (as you might imagine).
He had to clear the rock (labor), clean the membrane (labor), mechanically fasten the membrane (labor), seal the fasteners (MORE labor), then put down a fluid membrane (materials + labor) only to have the thing delaminate in sheets.

They said he "just didn't get the membrane quite clean enough"... I guess to a man with a hammer every problem looks like a nail!

I've done coating over membrane, and have had success. It's handy when you're going over the second roof, and the other alternative is a total tear. Selectively remove wet insulation (IR scan), seal the excision, clean the living s#!t from all else and you can get a (mfr) warranted system for half the cost of top membrane replacement; let alone complete re-roof.

It's not the answer to everything, but it's handy in certain situations. That's why I love roofing... we're a bit like doctors, ya think?

roofermike73

The use of an agressive primer is needed with the coating of PVC/TPO. Conklin doesn't have such a primer. I suggest going to google and simply searching the subject. The is a wealth of information available.

liquidrubber

Chem Link has some products available and I can get them for you. On TPO they will require a primer for sure. I have provided a link to their website data sheet.

http://www.chemlink.com/docs/datashe...k_sealpack.pdf

Derrick
Meridian Liquid Coatings

AaronB.

Any plastic membrane is going to need a primer. I have an Isocyanate primer that sticks to everything I have tried to stick it to.

EPDM should be surface-bonded before any type of coatings are applied.

__________________
www.roseroofing.net/
Seamless polyurea membrane roofing systems for metal and membrane systems, Seamless Foam roofing that pays for itself via energy efficiencies, All types of roofing maintenance, service, and repair. Illinois IL

Grumpy

Not every manufacturer requires primers Aaron. I have seen some that require an EPDM primer but not a TPO or pvc primer... Then seen others that require no EPDM primer but want a PVC primer, but not a TPO primer. Then others, like you said that all single ply require primer.

__________________
-Grumpy
Chicago Gutters Chicago Roofing

AaronB.

I never said every coatings manufacturer requires a primer, but for best long lasting performance, instead of low cost, you're going to need a primer.

__________________
www.roseroofing.net/
Seamless polyurea membrane roofing systems for metal and membrane systems, Seamless Foam roofing that pays for itself via energy efficiencies, All types of roofing maintenance, service, and repair. Illinois IL

AaronB.

Well of course you have (labor) in every step of every project.

What type of single ply was being coated?

__________________
www.roseroofing.net/
Seamless polyurea membrane roofing systems for metal and membrane systems, Seamless Foam roofing that pays for itself via energy efficiencies, All types of roofing maintenance, service, and repair. Illinois IL

Grumpy

Aaron, you could be right. I haven't done any research other than to read the various manufacturers spec of whom I work with or have considered working with. However I have one manufacturer who specifically forbids the priming of TPO but requires the priming of PVC with their SEBS product.

The point I was trying to make is that it is hard to make such blanket statements since every manufacturer is different.

__________________
-Grumpy
Chicago Gutters Chicago Roofing