Single Ply Membrane Coatings

roofermike73

I think the best idea is to do exactly what the specific manufacturer requires. I however would be a little leary of a manufacturer that didn't require priming over pvc/tpo unless you were using a urethane. Typical urethanes require less priming then their acrylic counter parts.

Anyone ignorant enough to try to coat a ballasted roofing system is going to get what they deserve. Coatings aren't for everything but in the right cases they can save the building owner a considerable amount of money and a contractor can turn out jobs much quicker. The only problem that I see with the roof coating industry is that there are alot of new companies jumping into the market with untested products. Hopefully coatings won't go the way of hypalon, when a few fail and ruin the market for everyone.

Rosco

Hi AaronB.

The instance of re-coat failure was a ballasted EPDM. I'd imagine that any ballasted membrane will be a re-coat problem, however.

It's just not something I'd spec, as replacing a ballasted membrane is bound to be cheaper than coating since there would be so much labor involved (in the latter case). Besides, who wants the worry that your work product is going to delaminate in sheets within a year?

If somebody asked me to bid a coating on a ballasted membrane (after ballast removal of course) I'd do the moonwalk away from it.

PTROOFING

http://www.nationwidecoatings.com/products.htm

We stock this stuff. It has never let us down.
We use thier primer/sealer coating on everything before final coating. Its a must!

jimsonburg

Single ply roofs don't need coatings. There are numerous types of single plys. Epdm(rubber), TPO, PVC Ect..

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Jimson burg,
Home Improvement .

Grumpy

I disagree because as single ply ages it deterorates like anything else in this world. After 20 years you're going to need to give some attention tot hat roof. If it's TPO for sure it'll need a coating to revitalize the membrane.

In addition as reflectivity becomes more and more common/important many are coating their black EPDM roofs. Furthermore we all know EPDM will fail from the seams and peentrations, an elastomeric seam restoration is a great way to add another 10 years life to the roof.

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-Grumpy
Chicago Gutters Chicago Roofing

PTROOFING

Completely agree, Grumpy. We have restored 1000's of feet of seams on EPDM roofs this year with an elastomeric cement and polyester fabric. Works better than the peel and stick tape imo. Great profit maker too!

RooferJim

I disagree, coating a single ply roof like EPDM is a hack and short sighted way to attempt a repair and does more harm than good. It makes my job to do a good repair for a patch or to strip in a seam almost impossible. the membrane itself is almost never the problem.

Rooferjim
www.jbennetteroofing.com

PTROOFING

You sir are correct, The membrane itself (field of roof roof) is almost never the problem. The probs with EPDM is FIELD SEAMS that dry out. Seam cover tape works, but is expensive and does not hold up to standing water. Cleaning the EPDM surface with water and a bit of Pine Sol, letting dry, Applying an elastomeric primer to bad seams, then an elastomeric cement with fabric is the cure. BLACK EPDM = LOW LIFE SPAN. Install an elastomeric coating over existing roof and gain 5-10yrs. And.........to rooferjim........how does a water based (latex) product on an EPDM (Rubber) roof make your patch impossible. You should be worried about the guys who put asphalt cement to patch a hole on a rubber roof instead. Asphalt oils eat rubber, not latex.

Grumpy

Elastomeric is renewable. It'll last 10 years and then renew it. Yes the membrane is seldom ever the problem unless it has punctures, therefore you can in theory renew the epdm membrane indefinetly and it's warrantable.

If it keeps the water out and can last 10 years, how is it a hack job?

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-Grumpy
Chicago Gutters Chicago Roofing

abear3

EB system coatings out of MN is a good product. On older tpo or pvc roofs you will want to use a primer. this will help your customer get about another five years.