Understanding Different Types Of Waterproofing Roof Sealants

One of the most popular choices in waterproofing the roof are Roof sealants. Roof sealants are designed to address specific needs, including the type of roof, the conditions to which they are subjected, and they can provide weatherproofing, waterproofing and reflectivity.Knowing what kinds of roof sealants are available is an important part of determining which option will work best for your roof. The following are some of the most widely used roof sealants:

Urethane Sealants

Polyurethane-based sealants are in the industry since the early 1960s, and they have certainly come a long way since that time. These roof sealants are available in systems that use one and two part moisture-cure and oxygen-cure processes. These roof sealants are most popular for EPDM waterproofing membranes, especially in areas around flashing, coping, pitch pans, and termination bars, as they provide a water resistant seal.Urethane sealants vary in-terms of price range, but the lower end options tend to have very poor resistance to UV exposure.

Silicone Sealants

Silicone is another waterproofing Roof sealant and available in wide range of formulations. Two major formulation of silicone sealants are acetoxy-cure formulations and oxime-cure formulations. Acetoxy silicone roof sealants are cheapest and can’t be used on metal surfaces due to corrosion, but they do resist discoloring due to UV exposure. On the other hand Oxime-cure silicones are expensive but work well with metals, provide better adhesion, and resist weather, but they do tend to discolor after UV exposure. Silicone roof sealants are not a good option for roofs that have substrates that release heat and oil, as they tend to loosen overtime.

EPDM Liquid Rubber Sealants

EPDM Liquid Rubber is a true EPDM product. Nothing matches the durability or longevity of EPDM Liquid Rubber roof sealant; this is mainly because it is the only true Liquid rubber and not an elastomeric coating or urethane. Field testing over the time period has shown that EPMD Liquid Rubber outlasts any elastomeric options, acrylic or urethanes four times over. EPDM Liquid Rubber sealant is environmentally safe which can’t be said about many of the other roof sealants on the market. Its powerful resistance to ultra-violet and ozone oxidants as well as it chemical bonding properties is its advantage. It is puncture resistant and in addition is completely odorless once cured. EPDM Liquid Rubber is best sealant to waterproof the EPDM membrane.

Polysulfide Roof Sealants

Polysulfide sealants have a long history and bright future ahead, and they are elastomeric in nature. Polysulfide Roof Sealants are more expensive than other options, but they provide excellent resistance to weather exposure, and have a long life of around 20 years before cracking occurs. This sealant will generally need to be applied over primed surfaces, and it has longer curing periods.

Polyether Sealants

Polyether roof sealants are moisture-cure, and provide increased durability over ordinary roof sealants available on the market. These sealants have a good rate of adhesion, and can be applied in colder temperatures without compromising the material integrity. They provide good weather resistance, waterproofing and are environmentally friendly, and are highly OSHA complaint. They are easy to apply, have fast curing time, and typically last for 20 to 30 years when applied properly.

When it comes to choosing the right roof sealant manufacturer, your best option is to make sure to compare products as no two products are identical. Some of these sealants are better for certain jobs than others are, so make sure you choose the best sealant that will improve the life of your Roof. By paying close attention to the choices, you will be able to choose the material that best meets your roofing needs.

To shop for Liquid Rubber Call 855-281-0940 or visit https://www.epdmcoatings.com/application.php

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