Seamless, waterproof membrane, lower energy costs, and no roof tear-off. These are just a few of the benefits that Progressive Materials’ 100% silicone coatings provide. However, these great benefits would not exist if the substrate had underlying, untreated issues. Some articles such as this one, do a great job talking about benefits and application in general. These articles are great for those new to silicone roof restorations. Lately, however, we noticed an overall lack of information on what it takes to prep for silicone roof coating restorations (RCR). For those of you already familiar with silicone roof restoration basics, this blog is for you. We are cutting out the basics and looking deeper into the process. In this blog, we will look at what it takes to prepare a roof for the RCR process so you can achieve a waterproof roof that lasts decades!
Different Substrates, Different Prep Work
Preparation of the substrate to be coated is one of the most important steps in restoring your client’s roof. Naturally, different substrates require different preparation. To help guide you, we have installation overviews for the silicone RCR installation process on our website. Additionally, to see if your roof is a good candidate for a restoration, you can schedule an adhesion test with your Regional Manager! They will walk you through the process and let you know which primers, if any, are necessary for your substrate.
*Primers are seldom necessary on silicone roofs. For more information on primer usage, please see our archived blog, “Are Primers Necessary with Silicone Roof Coatings?”
Watertight Condition
No matter which substrate, you’ll need to power wash and examine every flashing, seam, and penetration. Make sure that each of these parts of the roof are in good order and a watertight condition. If there are any failures on the roof, it is imperative to replace or repair any part of the substrate that is not watertight. Other parts of the substrate that may require special materials or attention are roof vents, stress cracks, fasteners, primers, and skylights. Your Regional Manager can help you walk a roof and call out any of these items while quoting a job.
In addition to the features listed above, there are some other aspects of roof prep that you’ll want to pay close attention to before beginning the Silicone RCR process:
PVC, TPO, Hypalon Membranes:
- Roof areas less than 500 square feet containing moisture below the roof surface need to have a moisture relief vent installed.
- Apply P-151 Single Ply Primer.
Structural Concrete Roof Deck:
- For stress cracks smaller than ¼”, apply a heavy coat of Pro-Patch FG 400 Flashing Grade Silicone Sealant in the crack.
- For stress cracks larger than ¼”, insert backer rod into the crack, then apply a heavy coat of Pro-Patch FG 400 Flashing Grade Silicone Sealant.
- Apply P-140 2-Part Epoxy primer to enhance adhesion.
Modified Bitumen, Smooth Surface BUR, and Gravel BUR:
- Should asphalt bleed be a concern, install P-160 Bleed Block Primer.
- Roof areas less than 500 square feet with moisture below the roof surface need to have a moisture relief vent installed.
EPDM:
- Apply P-120 EPDM Rinseable Cleaner and let sit for 15 minutes then rinse off.
- Roof areas less than 500 square feet with moisture below the roof surface need to have a moisture relief vent installed.
(Coverage guides for primers can be found here)
The prep work and application process are both fairly straightforward. If, however, you need more guidance along the way or want to schedule an adhesion test, feel free to reach out to your PM Regional Manager. They can help answer any questions you have or connect you with our technical team to offer live demonstrations of spray equipment and the RCR process.
If you’re interested in becoming a Certified Licensed Applicator, you can now apply online! As a CLA, you get the added benefits of offering PM product warranties and a free installation training with a member of our technical team. PM’s team of Inspectors and Regional Managers have years of coating experience that our CLAs are able to pull from.
