Many times we get calls from prospective clients who found us on a Google Search for “Commercial Roofers in Omaha” not realizing that we primarily solve roof leaks through roof coatings.

If you’re not in the roofing industry, we wouldn’t expect you to know that there’s any way to fix a problematic roof other than replacing the whole thing. In fact, all of our calls can be categorized into 3 types of awareness of roof coatings:

1. Have never heard of roof coatings
2. Have heard of it, but don’t consider it a viable solution
3. Have heard of it and know they want to use it

It’s important as a commercial roof company that we present clients strict information and facts on roof coatings so they can come to their own conclusions. So to address some common concerns, we will address everything in a True/False Format.

Every Leaking Roof Needs to Be Replaced

This is False.

While it would be great to get a brand new roof every time, it’s really not financially conducive for most people (especially if they didn’t budget for the enormous cost). Many times if we’re able to inspect a roof at the first sign of a leak then there’s still a chance it can be restored.

A leak is an indicator of a failure in one part of a roof and assumingely, all the other areas of that roofing system will shortly follow. We would guess about 90% of the time a roof can be restored through coating and not necessarily require a full re-roof.

 

I Can Do My Own Roof Coatings

This can be True or False.

Just like any handyman project you can hire a professional or attempt to do it yourself. Here’s why we would recommend against that:

• Inexperience– While it may not seem like rocket science, there is a lot that goes into knowing how to correctly apply roof coatings. Particularly temperature for curing, how to properly prep/seal a roof before work, thickness of application, etc.
• Lack of Equipment– We have all types of commercial equipment to properly clean/prep a roof and the right types of sprayers to apply it. Attempting to do so with non-commercial tools could result in poor application and adherence.
• Safety– Unless you’re often on a commercial or industrial roof we would advise you to not attempt it. Rooftop falls are the highest workplace injury-related safety hazards and particularly from a commercial roof, it could be fatal.

So while you can save a few bucks in trying to do your roof coatings, it may be a better longterm investment to hire professionals.

 

Roof Coatings Will Work on All Types of Roofs

This is False.

There are really two conditions in which roof coatings will not work at all. The first is simple- shingles. You can not (and should not) apply roof coatings over the surface of any shingled roof whether it’s residential or commercial. In contrast, roof coatings are a great option for flat roof repair and metal roofing.

Secondly, some roofs are simply beyond repair. If the underlayment is rotting or deteriorating then it would be ill-advised to try to apply coatings to mask the issue. In those cases, we do offer a complete roof replacement as an option, but truly only as a last resort (due to cost, timeline, and disruption.)

 

Roof Coatings are a Quick, Cheap Fix for a Leaky Roof

This is False.

Roof coatings have gotten a bad rap and for good reason. Early versions of the product were ineffective because the chemical makeup expanded/contracted with fluctuating weather and thereby would pull away from the edges and create vulnerabilities all over the roofing system.

Fast forward to 2023 and the roof coating technology has changed drastically. One of our higher end products has a Class A fire rate (self extinguishing), elongation rate of 1200%, can withstand baseball-sized hail, and classified as impermeable (able to withstand ponding water without any penetration).

Compared to a brand new re-roof, it is considered “quicker” in that sense. Depending on weather and roof size, we can prep and coat a roof in as little as a day. Plus, since it doesn’t require a permit we can usually address the leak much sooner.

 

Do Roof Coatings Work?

We recognize that we’re extremely biased in answering this, but we think so.

Many traditional roofers may tell you otherwise and we suspect that it’s due to inexperience or unawareness of the advancement in roof coating technology.

We’re so confident that roof coatings work that our products range from 10-20 year warranties that we would stand behind if your roof does have issue. In fact, we built an entire business around this product so we feel good about telling you that they do work.

 

Summary

Have more questions about roof coatings? Want to talk shop? Give us a call at (402) 289-7869.