Cleaning
Cleaning and rust treatment to give the coating a clean surface.
Roof Replacement
Roof Coating South Orange, NJ
A roofer in South Orange can apply a liquid roof coating, usually silicone or acrylic, over a flat, low-slope or metal roof that is weathered but still dry and structurally sound, but it is not a fix for a roof that is already failing. One call to (973) 858-1859 reaches a nearby roofing contractor.
A roof coating is a thick, liquid-applied layer that cures into a seamless rubbery membrane over the existing roof. It seals hairline cracks, covers seams and fasteners and protects the roof underneath from sun, which is what breaks most roofing down over time. White coatings reflect much of the sun's heat, so the roof surface runs cooler in summer.
The best candidates are flat and low-slope roofs plus metal roofs. They bond to EPDM, TPO, mod bit, built-up gravel-free roofs, spray foam and metal when the surface is prepared and primed correctly. Asphalt shingle roofs are usually better served by repair or replacement than by a coating.
The most important question before coating is whether water is already trapped in the roof. Wet insulation under a coating cannot dry out, and it keeps rotting the deck below. A moisture survey, using a meter, infrared scan or core cuts, should come before any coating plan.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a South Orange roofer may also recommend flat roof repair or metal roof coating.
Dealing with this in South Orange, NJ right now? Call (973) 858-1859 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
Steps in a roof coating job
Here is the usual sequence for coating a low-slope or metal roof.
Check for moisture
The roofer checks the roof with a moisture meter, an infrared scan at dusk or small core cuts to find wet areas. Any soaked areas must be removed and replaced first.
Wash the roof
Cleaning is the most important step, since coatings fail when they bond to dirt. Metal roofs get rust treated, and some membranes need a specific cleaner.
Make repairs
Blisters are cut and patched, seams are reinforced with fabric or tape and loose screws are swapped out. Problems not fixed now will be buried under the coating.
Prime the surface
Some substrates need a primer, and an adhesion test on a small area confirms the product will bond. Adhesion problems are hard to fix later.
Apply the coating
The crew builds up the coating to the specified thickness, measured in mils, across the whole roof. Rain or dew before curing can wash out acrylic, so timing is important.
What is included
What the work covers
Seam repair
Seams, blisters, punctures, flashing and fasteners repaired with fabric at weak points.
Finish coat
Silicone, acrylic or another coating applied to the specified thickness matched to the roof material.
Roof survey
A check for wet insulation or decking before any coating is recommended.
Related service
Roof Restoration South Orange, NJ
Where a coating adds a protective layer, roof restoration includes all the repairs needed to make the existing roof sound again. Expect it to include repairs to seams, flashing, drains and fasteners, followed by a complete coating. It is a way to extend roof life while keeping the old roof out of the landfill.
The window for restoration closes once the roof is wet throughout. If the damage is limited to the surface and a few seams, restoration makes sense, but large wet areas point to replacement. Have the roofer walk you through the findings before deciding between restoring and replacing.
Related service
Flat Roof Coating South Orange, NJ
Flat roof coating is the most common use of roof coatings, since low-slope roofs face the most sun and standing water. The choice usually comes down to silicone for roofs that hold some water and acrylic for roofs that drain quickly. The coating is matched to the existing membrane, so EPDM, TPO, mod bit and built-up roofs each have their own primers and products.
A coating is not a cure for poor drainage. Clearing drains and scuppers and fixing deep low spots helps the coating last. After coating, keeping the roof clear of debris and checking it once a year helps it last.
Local help
Roof Coating Near Me
In South Orange, the roofs that get coated are mostly low-slope membranes and metal panels, not shingle roofs. Across South Orange and nearby places including Vauxhall, East Orange, Union and Short Hills, sun and storms wear down low-slope roofs fastest, which is where coatings help most, as long as the roof passes a moisture check first.
For roof coating in South Orange, NJ or nearby towns like Vauxhall, East Orange, Union and Short Hills, call (973) 858-1859 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
What the local climate does to a roof
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder eaves, building ice dams that push water up under the shingles. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. That is why roof repair in South Orange is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why not wait
Smaller repairs
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Roofers who know South Orange
Roofers in South Orange know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Straight answers
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Roof Coating questions
What is the difference between silicone and acrylic roof coating?
Silicone holds up to ponding water and stays flexible, while acrylic is reflective and easy to recoat but needs a roof that drains well. Acrylic is water-based, so it needs dry weather to cure and cannot handle long-term ponding.
Can a roof be coated in cold or wet weather?
Coatings need a dry roof, dry weather and temperatures in the range the product maker specifies. Rain or heavy dew before curing can ruin a fresh coat, especially acrylic.
How long does a roof coating last?
It varies with the coating type, the thickness and the quality of the prep work. One benefit is that most coatings can be cleaned and recoated later instead of tearing off the roof.
Should asphalt shingles be coated?
Coatings are made mainly for flat, low-slope and metal roofs, and most roofers steer away from coating asphalt shingles. A coating can trap moisture under shingles and may conflict with the shingle maker's terms.
Will a roof coating fix a leaking roof?
Coatings help with minor leaks once the damaged areas are fixed, but they are not a patch for a failing roof. If the insulation or deck is wet, coating over it traps the water.
More questions? Call (973) 858-1859
Other services that may help
Flat Roof Repair
Repairs for leaking flat roofs, from punctures and seams to clogged drains and wet insulation, after the real leak source is found, not guessed.
Learn moreMetal Roof Coating
Metal roof coatings that cover rust, seal screw heads and laps and reflect summer heat, without tearing off panels that are still sound.
Learn moreCommercial Roof Coating
Silicone, acrylic and other elastomeric coatings for commercial roofs, to extend roof life without a tear-off.
Learn moreRoof Maintenance
Seasonal roof maintenance for shingles, flashing, vents, gutters and attic airflow, so the roof reaches the end of its expected life.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesGet roof coating help in South Orange
Call (973) 858-1859 to talk to a roofer serving South Orange, NJ.