What Does Your Roof Restoration Plan Look Like?

By Colin Sheehan, RCS Reporter. 

Prepare your business to meet the growing demands for long lasting re-roofing systems.  

Mike Swartzer, Director of Business Development for IB Roof Systems, recently discussed the future of roof restoration in this RoofersCoffeeShop® webinar.  

Mike’s been working with roofing contractors for years and has acquired in-depth knowledge on roof restoration and recover, in particular how to best use roof coating and membrane solutions for roof recovery systems. In this webinar he shares how to work with building owners to help them understand the value of restoration in comparison to a complete roof reinstallation.   

“Over the last 12 years, roof coating has become a mainstay in most roofing companies. But really, the times where this kicks off and really takes over the market is during economic downtimes. So, in 2008, 2009, we saw a big boom in roof coatings when people were trying to save money in the recession, and we're going to see that now again,” said Mike. 

Mike suggests contractors prepare for this shift by creating more roof restoration options for customers. This makes it easier to provide flexible solutions that will fit into the client’s varying needs and budgets.   

Qualities contractors should look for in a roof coating include: 

• Performance longevity: This is arguably going to be the most important quality for building owners. Be sure to look over each coating option carefully and ensure that your manufacturer has a great reputation for making quality products.  

• Higher solid contents: A higher solid content means you're applying less product. For instance, a 98% solid product would cover roughly 15 and a half dry mils, whereas a 50% solid product, would cover about eight dry mils. So, you'd have to use more product from a 50% solid product than you would be with a 98% solid product. Using a product with a higher solid content also can save labor-related expenses.  

• A great manufacturer: Manufacturers can provide roofing solutions that result in high returns on your investments as well as sustainable roofing systems. By making sure the manufacturer you work with has a great history, you can provide your customer with a long-lasting roof system.  

Additionally, one of the largest components of a successful roof coating installation is the preparation of the roof. This ensures the material you choose will stick to the roof. Mike explains that doing adhesion tests prior to installation is key to the performance of the product(s) over time.  

Watch the webinar, listen to the podcast or read the entire transcription to learn more about roof restoration and coating systems. 

Learn more about IB Roof Systems in their RoofersCoffeeShop Directory.