The roof in any residential or commercial structure, serves as one of the most essential fixtures and painting it can bear numerous benefits. Besides increasing your property’s value significantly, the procedure also goes a long way in enhancing its durability and allure. Roof painting may indeed vary slightly in regards to the painting method applied and the type material it is made of. However, prior to painting, cleaning the roof is a common and mandatory procedure regardless of the roof type.
Properly cleaning a roof:
There are numerous ways and techniques that one can adopt to effectively clean a roof but in most cases, the budget and available materials are what primarily dictate how your roof will be cleaned. The best known roof cleaning procedure is through using a high pressure water blaster which proves to not only be effective, but also ideal for rough surfaces as well. This procedure enhances optimal removal of dirt and mold even in tight spots, and nooks making it one of the best indeed.
A hose, mild detergent and broom can also be used clean a roof especially those with smooth surfaces. This procedure however, does not guarantee optimum removal of mold or any other stain in rough surfaces and you will probably need to use some chemicals to facilitate this deep within the pores. Being that the roof is placed in direct glare of the sun, means that within an hour most roof types should be dry enough to begin painting.
Roof Paint:
You have few options when it comes to roof painting and in most cases, your preference and budget stand as the two main factors that will determine what type of paint you procure. Water based acrylic roof paints rank among the most popular especially for shingles and cement tiles. However, it is important to note that most water based paints do not allow rain water collection and it would be in your best interest to invest some time in research. Also, acrylic water based paints are more suited for cement roofing tiles as opposed to iron roofs owed to rusting.
Oil based paints for roofs are preferred especially where water collection is required. However, they are designed to work best on iron roofs where impeccable finishes are yielded unlike using the paint on cement roof tiles. Oil based paints also go a long way in keeping rust at bay in iron roofing but it would be advisable to treat any rust prior to application if any.
Depending on your wallet size or how much you are willing to part with, there are more advanced paints on the market that you can opt for. Heat resistant paints are gaining massive popularity in this category owed to their effective cooling properties but there are thermal paint additives available as well which do an equally good job at this.
Valuable tips in roof painting:
Roof painting is can not only be a daunting task but a costly affair as well. It is hence paramount to paint your roof in a proper and cost efficient manner to avoid future hassles. It would be in your best interest to keep in tabs with the latest on the weather forecast prior to beginning. Start early if the weather is going to be hot and don’t start at all if there are any signs of rain.
An airless spray gun is one of the best roof painting tools but certainly not on a windy day where the over-spray gets carried away. Also ensure that you are able to maneuver the roof and get back down without walking over wet paint. With a little planning, painting your roof shouldn’t be as hard contrary to common perception.