Horizontal Seams
If you have worked on metal roofs, you know horizontal seams present some of the biggest issues. Whether it’s natural wear and tear or improper installation, if these seams begin letting water into the building, you have limited time before the issue becomes dire. In this blog, we will explore Progressive Materials’ guidelines for proper prep work on these seams. Additionally, there is a link below to a video that shows proper seam prep on a metal roof.
Proper Prep: Metal Roofs
A PM Silicone restoration creates a completely seamless membrane on top of the roof, alleviating all seam-related issues for years to come. But any seam problems that are there now should be remedied before silicone is applied.
Once a metal roof is on your building, it should remain structurally sound for decades. But once seams start to fail or fasteners back out, the roof will need attention. In our new video walkthrough, our Technical and Education Coordinator Jeff Romero outlines the two different ways to prep a horizontal seam on a metal roof in order to qualify for a PM warranty.
The first option is the three-course method. First, ensure the roof is clean and dry. Then, apply 10 to 15 mils of silicone top coat along the seams, embed fabric in that coating, and then add another 10 to 15 mils of silicone atop that fabric. Jeff notes that you can use your fingers or a chip brush to ensure the fabric is properly embedded in the different angles along the seams.
The other PM-approved option for prepping seams on a metal roof features our FG 401 flashing-grade silicone. Simply use a chip brush to apply FG 401 along the seams. Make sure you brush the silicone down into the seams for needed protection. Once you have enough material on the seams, use the brush to smooth it out. That will also prevent damming water that will come from higher elevations on the roof.
Conclusion
A seamless, waterproof membrane and lower energy costs are just a few of the benefits that PM’s 100% silicone coatings provide. However, these benefits cannot exist without proper preparation of the substrate to be coated. Proper seam prep is straightforward and helps ensure that your silicone roof restoration will protect your metal roof for decades. If you have questions about seam prep or would like to schedule a training course with Jeff, you can do so through your local Regional Manager. You can find your Regional Manager here.
Thanks for reading.
