If you are looking for a cost-effective way to safeguard your roof, make it more waterproof, and minimise your maintenance for years to come, a roof sealant is a great investment. This polymer coating is applied by a professional to offer multiple benefits that last for years and greatly enhance the lifespan of the roof.
Which roof sealant should you consider for your home? Let’s look at what you need to know:
Liquid roof sealant
This is the most common variety of roof sealant and typically comes in buckets. It is usually used to secure layers of rubber membrane on roofing and to make large-scale repairs. It can be bought in different volumes.
Spray sealant
This type of roof sealant is usually used with other kinds of sealant, such as tape or caulk. Spray sealant is great in emergency situations and for waterproofing large areas of the roof.
Caulk sealant
Caulk sealant is usually used to repair small areas or for new installations. It can be applied like any other kind of caulking product to seal small holes, gaps, or cracks.
Sealant tape
Sealant tape is great for patching small holes and tears, especially on flat roofing and under shingles. Roofers will simply use a small piece of sealant tape and secure it over the damaged area to effectively stop any leaks.
Water- or solvent-based sealants
In addition to the different types of roof sealant available from providers such as https://www.ct1.com/product-applications/ct1-the-ultimate-roof-sealant, there are water- and solvent-based sealants.
Water-based roof sealant products are more affordable and thinner than solvent alternatives. They are great at filling small cracks but need reapplication more often. Solvent-based sealants are more expensive than water sealants, but they are tough, thick, and durable.
Which roof sealant is right for you?
The best course of action is to hire a roofer to assess your roof and make a custom recommendation based on your property and needs. This ensures you receive the right level of protection and the product that will give you the best possible results.
Silicone types and preparing the roof
Anyone who has dealt with a leak knows why sealing matters. A protective coating keeps water out and helps the whole structure of the house last longer. Silicones are among the most common roof sealants and come in two main formulations. Acetoxy-cure silicones are cheaper but do not resist corrosion. Oxime-cure silicones suit metal surfaces better and resist discolouring after long exposure to UV light, although they are not suitable for surfaces that give off heat or oil.
Thickness affects how a product behaves. Some sealants are thicker than others, and a thicker one can be easier to work with in hot weather. Check that the product will bond to your roof covering, as different sealants are made for shingles, metal and other materials. Before any new coating goes on, the roof should be inspected carefully so that damaged areas are repaired or replaced first rather than sealed over. Talk to your contractor about what the product will realistically achieve on your particular roof.
What happens when water gets into a roof
The roof protects the whole house from rain, wind and everything else the weather brings, so it has to stay watertight. Sealant is one of the simplest ways to keep it that way.
Some sealants come out as a smooth, flexible material that is pressed into cracks that have opened up in the roof over the years. Others are liquid rubber coatings painted across the whole surface, which flow into holes and cracks and leave the roof completely covered. A good coating can last for years and sometimes decades.
Letting water in is far more costly than preventing it. Moisture encourages mould and mildew and can rot the timbers at the eaves. Rotten timbers weaken the structure, and in the worst cases tiles can come down through the ceiling. Compared with the repair bill for that kind of damage, sealing the roof is a cheap precaution.