The roof is probably one of the most difficult to build when constructing a house or a building. It is high up, and it needs to sit perfectly on the structure. A well-constructed roof is essential in keeping harmful elements going in the interiors and affecting the occupants inside. A damaged roof could lead to leaks, which in turn damages the valuables inside.
To repair leaks, you need to seal the roof. There are things to consider before sealing a roof. First, you need to know the exact material used and the construction of the roof. Second, you need to be conscious of what you are sealing inside. And lastly, the correct insulation and damp-proofing should be done first before sealing the roof.
All roofs are unique. Knowing which physical attributes will demonstrate the most crucial to your roof’s durability is complicated. You can either call a roofing specialist to do the work for you. But if you are a DIY enthusiast, you can ask the local hardware store what product they can suggest for your roof.
You can also go online and search for the roof sealants’ technical information.
What is important is that when you review the products, you cross-check each one of them. The bottom line is: in every accord, the correct roof sealant must serve beautifully.
Below are the physical attributes you need to evaluate when choosing a roof sealant:
Elongation
Also known as elasticity, it is the capability of a component to elongate before it breaks. The capacity to stretch and recover from it implies that the sealant can move when the temperature drops and rises without cracking. Only products that can recover after a stretch should be used as a roof sealant. The more elastic, the greater the chances that the sealant can endure your roof fluctuations.
Tensile Strength
The amount of force a product can withstand before it shatters is tensile strength. There are two kinds of tensile strength that you should consider when choosing a roof sealant. The tensile strength after the product just came out of the packaging, and the tensile strength after it has aged or applied. If you read the technical manuals of the sealants, you’ll notice that most products only report the tensile strength of the former. While it is great to know that the tensile strength looks good when it’s new, the sealant should also have tensile strength when it’s already exposed outside, and the aging started. This difference will provide you an additional level of strength.
The capacity of aged tensile strength is often better than that of new tensile strength measurements. This indicates a difference in value and quality over time.
Considering the weather here in the Philippines, the most effective roof sealant is one with the correct balance between elasticity and tensile strength.
Perm Factor
A lower amount of perm factor indicates that the sealant has a greater resistance of allowing humidity to seep through the material.
Moisture Gain by Weight
Some sealants can absorb water instead of repelling the water. You will want the one that is water-repelling. The absorption of water into any roofing material can hasten the roof’s deterioration. You need to look for a sealant with lower amounts of moisture gain by weight.
Peel Adhesion
One of the most significant to look for in a roof sealant is peel adhesion. This attribute measures the sealant’s capacity to stick to the surface of the roof, even under adverse circumstances. If it won’t stay adhered to the area of application, it will not be able to safeguard your roof adequately.
Reflectivity
A reflective roof enables all building parts to operate more effectively and decreases the need for constant maintenance and hasty roof failure due to UV harm and solar shock.
There are a lot of construction sealants but choosing the correct one for your roof might not be as easy as you think. Wrong choices might cause a more severe problem, instead of repairing the roof. The right roof sealant assures ample flexibility and adequate elongation, which accommodates structural motion and thermal stress, efficient waterproofing, and good light reflection to reduce the building’s internal heat.
