The roof is a part of the house that people normally do not pay attention to unless some problems crop up that require immediate attention. The reason is that we usually do not see the roof, or at least its condition, in our daily routines.

Whatever is the material and design of your roof, you need to consider a good and quality sealant when the time comes that leaks occur, an event that practically all of us have experienced in our lives. Leak is, in fact, one of the most despised roof problems among homeowners.

A metal roof sealant helps prevent leaks and ultra violet (UV) damage to the roof. Rain could lead to leaks, especially on flat roofs because of water ponding on the surface. Below are practical tips and guides in roof sealant application.

1. Compatibility

First thing you have to consider about roof sealant is it should work with your roofing material. Some sealants are not safe to use on certain roofs so make sure to apply only those that will not damage your roof.

2. Roof Preparation

Thoroughly clean that part of the roof where you will apply the sealant, otherwise, you will experience adhesion issues. Better also to work on dry days instead of rainy days when the sealant may not properly stick to the surface. Extreme temperatures affect sealing, so work when it is not too hot nor too cold.

3. Systematic

Work from one side of the roof to the other, from top to bottom. It is important that you observe an orderly system in your sealing work. To avoid backtracking over your work and stepping over freshly-applied sealant, position two ladders at opposite sides of the roof then work from one end to the other.

4. Repairs

Repair your roof before applying a sealant. If your concrete roof has large cracks or you have missing shingles, use patching cement on the concrete surface or replace the missing shingles before applying any sealant. Sealants cannot close large gaps or holes on the roof. You have to repair the roofing material and then apply the sealant to prevent leaks.

5. Sealant Variety

Sealants come in different forms, styles and grades. Knowing which one to use on your roofing materials may be best left to roofing professionals if you want to make sure you get the right one.

6. Application

Actual sealing work is not complicated. You can use a paint brush or roller to apply the sealant. Applying a second coat is recommended to ensure complete adhesion and coverage of the roof.

Whether your roof is old or new, metal primers are recommended before the application of paints on metal roofs to slow down the process of corrosion. Remember that corrosion comes from contact between bare metal and water.

Primers also ensure the paint you apply strongly stick to the surface to produce a long-lasting finish. They are specifically designed to fill microscopic gaps and bind to different substrates. Paints would often peel off from surfaces that were not treated with primer. This means more work and expenses for you.

Guides in Applying Primer

Keep in mind these reminders to ensure the proper application of your primer:

1. Before using any primer, remove any rust, dirt, grease and scale on the metal surface; otherwise, your coatings will not stick properly and easily peel off from the surface in a short time. Be on the lookout for oil, which are not visible. Better to give the entire surface a thorough rubdown just to be sure.
2. Apply a double coat of primer to ensure a long-lasting rust protection that will persist through the years. Since metal is prone to corrosion, the more primer you apply the better is the protection for the metal.
3. Planning is important when doing paint jobs. Check the dry time for primers. Do not put more primer than you can paint the next day.

Things to Look for When Choosing a Primer

Always keep the following practical tips in mind when choosing a metal roof primer:

1. Some metal primers do not contain rust-inhibiting properties or pigments. Do not buy these products since you will only be wasting your money. The rust-inhibitive pigments dissolve in and neutralize the electrolytic solutions that are the cause of corrosion.
2. Special primers can chemically convert rust to solid metal salts, if cleaning and scrapping rust off the metal is not possible.
3. Certain types of primers are not compatible with some coatings such as those containing zinc-chromate. Always ask for guidance from coating manufacturers.
4. For rusted metal, use a zinc-chromate primer to do the job. This type of primer is especially suited for old and rusty metal surfaces.
5. The label of the metal primer must state the product is rust inhibitive. You can normally find this on the front or title of the product. If not, look at the back of the label where the product description is located.
6. The primer should have great wetting properties to provide greater penetration into the metal surface, whether corroded or not.
7. Primers with fast drying and full-cure time will maximize your work production without sacrificing quality. They must also have excellent adhesion to different metal surfaces or substrates.