Before you decide if you would prefer coating your commercial roof rather than replacing the entire thing, it is important to make sure that your roof is actually suitable for restoration. If serious underlying problems are present, coating over them can lead to additional damage and expense.
It is also important to work with a commercial roofing contractor who can properly evaluate the existing roof and explain whether repair, restoration, recover, or replacement is the better option.
Important Factors to Consider Before Roof Restoration
Here are some of the factors that can help determine whether your roof may be suitable for coating:
Is moisture present?
Moisture can enter a roof assembly for a variety of reasons, including leaks, failed seams or penetrations, condensation, drainage problems, or previous roofing work. If significant wet insulation or trapped moisture is present, those materials may need to be removed and replaced before restoration can proceed. In some cases, the extent of moisture damage may make replacement the more practical option.
How many roof layers are present?
The number and type of existing roof systems or recover layers can affect whether another roofing system may be installed over the existing roof.
Applicable building codes, roof weight, deck condition, existing materials, moisture, fastening requirements, and the proposed restoration or recover system should all be considered before another layer is added.
Is the roofing layer attached well to the substrate?
Roofing Services
Our professional commercial roof contractors provide:
- Roof maintenance & repair
- Inspections & leak detection
- Energy efficient roof systems
- Complete roof replacement
- Roof life-extending solutions
Loose, poorly adhered, deteriorated, or unstable roofing materials may need to be repaired or removed before coating. Moisture can contribute to adhesion problems, but deterioration, installation issues, wind damage, substrate movement, and other conditions may also be involved.
Before you opt to restore your commercial roof rather than replace it, a commercial roofing contractor should inspect the existing assembly and discuss the available options.
What will be the impact on your business operations?
Roof replacement can involve tear-off, material removal, noise, equipment, dust, and other activity that may affect normal business operations.
When an existing roof is structurally sound and otherwise suitable for restoration, a coating system may involve less tear-off and disposal and may reduce some project disruption. However, the actual installation schedule and impact on building operations depend on the roof, project size, repair needs, coating system, weather, and site conditions.
What type of roof restoration system is appropriate?
Different restoration solutions may be appropriate depending on the existing roof system and its condition.
For example, a metal roof may require corrosion treatment, fastener or seam repairs, and a compatible coating system. Other roofs may require reinforcement, membrane repairs, primers, additional insulation, or other preparation before restoration.
The appropriate system should be selected based on the existing roof substrate, moisture conditions, structural condition, drainage, compatibility, climate, and current manufacturer requirements.
What are the advantages, disadvantages, and costs?
Any business owner should understand the advantages and disadvantages of each available option. The same applies to roofing, where repair, restoration, recover, and replacement can have very different costs, service-life expectations, maintenance requirements, and impacts on building operations.
A coating system may provide a cost-effective alternative to replacement when the existing roof is structurally sound and otherwise suitable for restoration. Replacement may be more appropriate when there is widespread wet insulation, structural deterioration, serious drainage problems, extensive membrane failure, or other conditions that cannot reasonably be corrected through restoration.
A commercial roofing contractor can evaluate the roof and explain the available options so the building owner can make an informed decision.
