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When merely patching up your rubber roof with sealant or tape is not enough, it may become necessary to apply a new coating to your rubber roof. Rubber roof coatings come in two varieties, a liquid rubber that you apply like a coat of paint, and rubber sheeting that is bonded to your original rubber roof installation with a special adhesive. In this article, we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of each type of rubber roof coating. The article was given by a plumber and roofer who offered services in roof repair.

Liquid Rubber Roof Coatings
Liquid coatings for your rubber roof come in a range of colors, most commonly black, white and grey, in order to match the original color of the roof. They are applied with a push or roller, just like paint, and you can apply up to six coats, depending on how thick the replacement rubber needs to be. This makes it a more versatile solution than sheeting. No primer or top coat is needed; the liquid rubber is applied straight to the surface. Manufacturers claim that liquid rubber roof coatings can extend the life of a rubber roof by up to 20 years if applied correctly.

When applying liquid rubber roof coatings, you must be sure to take care that the surface is even. If you have ever seen a rushed paint job, you will know how ugly uneven paint can be. Now imagine that applied to the surface of a flat roof. If your supposedly flat roof resembles a topographic map of the Himalayas, it would not only look bad (which doesn’t really matter that much, since few people will see your roof), but could also cause surface water to gather in the ridges after a rainstorm, a process known as ponding. This makes it more difficult for the water to evaporate once the rain clouds part, and can shorten the lifespan of the coating. However, you have to bear in mind that rubber roof coatings are extremely durable, and so will not bubble and crack like other roofing materials, so this shortened lifespan is only relative. But naturally, most people will want to prolong the life of their roof as much as they can anyway, and taking that little extra care provides a way to do this.

The Use of Sheeting for Coating Rubber Roofs
Rubber roof coatings also come in sheet form. Some manufacturers will provide them custom made for the shape of your roof, in sheets of up to 10,000 square feet. If you are looking for a less expensive solution, you can buy them off the shelf. Sheets should be applied in a grid-like fashion, with the edges slightly overlapping. Make sure that the joins are airtight, otherwise water could seep in between them. The advantage of this type of rubber roof coating is that it is easier to apply than liquid coating, though it does require a primer and the use of special adhesive to make sure that it bonds to the original surface correctly. One must be careful to lay it absolutely flush with the original surface, otherwise air bubbles could appear underneath the rubber sheet.

One of the greatest advantages of rubber roofing is that it requires very little maintenance. But occasionally, your rubber roof will need repair. This article presents a quick and easy guide to show you how to repair your rubber roof, should it ever become necessary to do so. The guideline below was provided by some roofing contractors who used to help people with plumbing services and roofing treatment.

Sealants for Rubber Roof Repair
Whilst very serious repairs may require replacement of your rubber roof coating, minor rubber roof repairs can be carried out using a liquid rubber sealant cement that comes in a tube, or by applying special rubberized tape. Tubes of rubber roof repair sealant cement typically come in 10oz sizes, and contain oils mixed with the liquid rubber that help it to penetrate and fill any cracks that may have appeared.

You can also buy tapes to help in rubber roof repair. Ordinary duct tape won’t do the trick here. The tape needs to be a specialized type made specifically for repairing rubber roofs. It is made from a combination of resins and rubber, and is backed with a powerful adhesive that is able to withstand extreme heat and cold, and which is resistant to ultraviolet rays, so that it does not deteriorate due to the ravages of the weather. Liquid rubber cement for rubber roof repair comes in a variety of colors, in order to match the color of your roof.

The Effect of Cleaning on Rubber Roof Surfaces
In 1992, the US Army released the results of a study assessing the results of 16 different cleaning methods on the rubber roofs of its installations when preparing them for patching. The study concluded that the application of a droplet of dimethyl formalmide, commonly abpeviated to DMF, applied with an eyedropper, can adequately indicate the bonding condition of aged rubber roofing. It recommended that all contaminants be removed, so that the original color of the roofing material is restored, before any patch is applied.

When cleaning rubber roofs for repair, make sure that you change pushes or cloths often, to avoid re-depositing dirt on the surface. The Army’s recommended method for cleaning was a wire push applied to an electric drill, to apply vigorous apasion to the surface.

The results of this study show the durability of rubber roofing. With cleaning, the condition of the roofing can be returned to almost the same as when it was new. Such cleaning allows it to be patched in such a way that it can last a lifetime, even if a crack or wear and tear should occur.