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How to Coat Metal Roofs for a Leak Proof Home

Bidisha Mukherjee
Metal roof coating helps to enhance the durability of the metal roof. Here we provide you with some valuable information on the process.
Metal roofs are mainly made of either aluminum, copper and steel, which can be recycled and therefore are environment-friendly and fireproof too. However, the disadvantage of this is that it is susceptible to water and galvanic corrosion, which results in leakage.
As a matter of fact, to keep your home leak proof, you need to coat the ceiling floor every 2 years and touch-up at frequent intervals, especially after storms have deposited debris or branches.
Roof coating is a fluid substance, which when applied to the tile acts as a protective membrane. As a result, it reduces the effects of the heat of the sun, rain, hail and protects from other kinds of damage.
It has adhesive properties that enable it to stick to the surface, besides, it also has the ability to retain its elasticity under all kinds of weather conditions. It also helps reduce temperatures which in turn helps lower cooling cost.
Materials needed: roof coating, patching cement, diluted chlorine bleach solution and strong detergent (if needed)
Tools: wire brush, putty knife, coarse sandpaper, stiff-bristle paint brush, paint roller, broom, garden hose.

Coating the Metal Roof

Look for all types of flaws like blisters, cracked seams, and peeling coats. Seal fasteners and seams with caulk and allow to dry.
Using sand papers or putty knife scrape off the flaking coat. Clean the drain, vents and the floor of the ceiling to ensure the substrate is free of any foreign matter.
Remove crusted or powdery rust and treat mildew patches with chlorine bleach. Follow this with power washing with a strong detergent if needed.
Once the roof is dry, repair splits and patch existent holes and reattach loose screws. Rinse and check for puddling.
Cover seams, edges of flashing, j-rails and nail heads with patching cement using a stiff bristle paint brush.
Once dry, prime the substrate with a good quality primer to increase the adhesive quality of the coating.
Using a roll-on brush or high volume spray, uniformly coat the floor of the roof. Take special care to ensure that the repaired gaps and cracks of the ceiling floor are well-covered. For best results apply a second when the previous coat is thoroughly dried.
This complete, seamless restoration process seals, prevents leaks and provides a bright white reflective surface that helps cool the entire building envelope. The best time to take up these repairs is early spring when the temperatures are not to high and the humidity is relatively lesser compared to the warm summer months.