National Coatings Blog

In order to maintain a properly functioning roof coating system, preventative roof maintenance is necessary at least twice a year. It is recommended to complete this roof maintenance checklist before the rainy season begins, aka NOW. This ensures you have ample time to correct any issues that could cause leaks and damage to your building.

1. Remove any debris on the rooftop. The roof has many locations that are ideal for gathering debris such as pipes, skylights, pitch pans, HVAC units, etc… It is important to remove any debris such as leaves, trash, branches, rocks, etc… because they trap and hold water, promoting ponded water and early roof deterioration.
   
   
2. Unclog all drains. Make sure all drainage systems are open and functioning appropriately. It is a good idea to test them by pouring water down each one as a clogged drain causes deterioration, ponded water, and possible leaks.
   
   
3. Check your gutters. Clear them of debris and anything that would prohibit them from functioning properly.  

   
   
4. Inspect the roof surface for blisters and/or delamination. If you see these, we suggest you call National Coatings for a professional roof inspection. Contact us for advice from a roof coating profession - no obligation to buy!
   
   
5. Check the entire roof surface for any deterioration, holes, mechanical abuse areas, defects, and/or separation - pay attention to stains and discoloration of the roof edges and surrounding walls as they are possible indications of a leak - if you experience any of these failures, contact us and consider an AcryShield Roof Maintenance (ARM) System, so you don't have to replace and tear-off your roof later - this will save you thousands of dollars. Download more information on our Roof Maintenance and Roof Restoration Systems, here!
   
   
6. Carefully inspect all joints. Make sure joints at wall and equipment base flashings and near pipe penetrations are undamaged, watertight and intact.
   
   
7. Make sure sealants and caulking are effectively working. If you are looking for a premium quality sealer, learn more about AcryFlex. It is an elastomeric acrylic sealant that provides a water-based, sealant that is engineered for long-term flexibility, adhesion and weather resistance.
   
   
8. Maintain your Landscaping - Trim back and remove any trees near your roof to avoid excess debris and/or penetrations to your roof surface.

Preventative roof maintenance prolongs the life of your roof, ensures a greater return on investment for your roof coating system and lowers roof maintenance costs in the future. Just a small amount of time maintaining your roof every six months will prevent the need to perform costly repairs. If you ignore your roof, small, inexpensive concerns become large, costly issues. We advise you check your roof semi-annually - the beginning of Fall and the beginning of Spring are generally ideal times as weather conditions are usually milder. It is also important to inspect your roof immediately after any large storms, high winds, hail or other damage causing conditions occur. 

For more information or advice on your particular roof – contact us today – we are here to help!

Wondering why a white roof is so popular? Is there a difference between a white roof and a cool roof? Can white roofs really save me money?

White roofs are becoming more and more popular as people are intentionally trying to be more economically and environmentally conscious. They offer the following benefits:

• Lowered energy usage and costs
• Renewable and Sustainable
• Cost savings
• Improved employee comfort
• Business open during installation
• NO costly and timely roof tear-off
• NO landfill fee’s

A white roof is generally described as a roof with a white surface. They are also associated with a ‘cool roof’ because they reflect heat away from the roof, keeping the interior of the building cooler. White roofs absorb only a fraction of what a dark surfaced roof would absorb, drastically cutting down on your air conditioning usage and costs. (Check out how Harbor Freight benefited from energy savings using an AcryPly Roof Restoration System.) It is important to note, that cool roofs do not necessarily need to be white in color. A cool roof is any roof with a reflective surface, the most reflective roof surface is in fact a white roof, but you can have a reflective grey, sand, teal, etc… colored roof that also provides reflectivity. For more information on cool roofs, download the Cool Roof Buyer’s Guide. 

A white roof coating system provides an excellent solution to cost savings when you are faced with roof leaks and failures. These systems are applied directly over your existing roof, allowing you to extend your roof life and save 50-70% of the total cost it would take to do a traditional roof replacement. The labor for a roof coating system versus a roof replacement is much less and you are able to conduct business as usual, with no noise or odor disruptions and no closures during construction.

Not only do white roof coating systems cool your building with its ability to reflect the sun’s heat but it also allows you to extend the lifespan of your roof while lowering your maintenance fee’s. The sun’s heat is the leading cause of damage and deterioration to a roofs surface. By reflecting the UV rays away, the coating is protecting and acting as a barrier against the heat - increasing the service life of your roof. White roof coating systems are renewable, allowing you to restore your roof indefinitely. Contact National Coatings to find out how you can sustain your existing roof without ever needing to do a costly roof tear-off again.