My roof needs repainting – who do I call?
Painting a roof regularly is an important element in the upkeep of any building, whether used for private or commercial purposes. Apart from the obvious aesthetic appeal that a well-presented roof offers, painting or coating offers the roof added protection against the elements, therefore extending its lifespan, often resulting in savings on electricity costs. As time passes, external elements such as the sun, rain, mould, algae, fungi, bacterial, lichen and mildew growth and debris can take a toll on your roof, causing the paint to fade, peel and crack and the surface to deteriorate, which not only looks unsightly but also compromises the roof's ability to provide sufficient protection.
Is it necessary to call in a professional roof painter?
However, painting a roof is more involved than simply applying a coat of paint, admiring it and forgetting about it for another few years. There are different kinds of roofing materials, all of which require specific preparation and paint applications, which is why it is wise to call in professional roof painters when your roof needs repainting.
Preparation is key when painting a roof
Paints designed for roofs generally last anywhere between 7 to 15 years, depending on the material of the roof, which is an important consideration. South Africa has a fairly wide range of roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles, concrete or clay tiles, slate, rubber, zinc, tin, IBR, Chromadek, and different types of metal roof sheeting, all of which have different requirements when it comes to painting. In addition, professional application and correct preparatory work are necessary when repainting roofs, such as resolving existing and potential repairs like missing or damaged tiles, cracks or leaks, and power washing the whole roof to clear rust, debris, mould, lichen and environmental damage before the painting begins to allow the new paint to adhere correctly to the roofing material. More often than not, waterproofing and sealing problematic areas is an essential part of the preparation work.
Not all roofs are built from the same materials and have different requirements
It is important to remember that some roofing materials require more maintenance than others, and you need to bear this in mind when planning the painting of your roof. As a rule, acrylic latex paint or oil-based alkyd resins or paints are most favoured for any roofing material, except for terracotta, but it is important to choose products which are intended for specific roofs. Concrete roofs, for example, need an acrylic paint specifically intended for concrete roofs, as this paint will bond best with the concrete tiles. However, since concrete is porous, a roof sealant and additional paint layers may need to be used for the best results. Metal roofs will have to be primed with a titanium dioxide base, designed to help protect the metal from the elements.
Metal roofs also require further overcoats of silicone, butyl or polyurethane sealants to help protect the paint against sunlight, rain, and different temperatures. Additionally, in the case of tiled roofs, fixing the ridge capping is essential to ensure a clean and smooth application of roof paints.
Roof paints and roof coatings are not the same thing
Consideration should be given to the fact that roof paint and roof coating have two different functions. Whilst roof paints primarily affect a roof's colour and curb appeal, roof coatings – fluid-applied roofing membranes which can mimic the properties of elastic in being able to stretch and return to their previous state – offer further advantages such as waterproofing and protecting against leaks and environmental factors. Roof coatings resaturate old roofs to extend the service life of the roof, provide reflectivity to deflect extreme solar heat, and add an element of strength which provides a harder-wearing surface on the roof that can resist abrasion from damage, whether environmental – for instance, from hail and heavy storms – or physically walking or manoeuvring on a roof during inspections and installations. As such, roof coatings can extend the service life of a roof for up to 25 years. It makes sense therefore that hiring the services of a professional, skilled and experienced roof painter may be more cost-effective in the long run than simply trying to tackle this job on a DIY basis.
Roof painters inspect, repair, paint and provide all the equipment needed for the job
Hiring a professional roof painter will provide the additional services of an initial inspection of the roof for existing or potential damage, repairing cracks, proper power cleaning and preparation of the roof for the paint, and selecting the right kind of paint or coating for the roof material. A professional roof painter will also provide all the equipment needed, such as high-pressure airless spray equipment, turbo nozzle pressure washers, roof repair equipment and materials, and basic painting tools such as brushes, rollers, putty knives, and scaffolding, and is experienced at working on sloping roofs and at heights.
How to find the right roof painter for your needs
Check their online ratings and customer reviews
With the internet becoming such a vital search tool, many people are using search sites such as Uptasker to find a specialist in their local area. Uptasker is one of the friendliest and most informative search sites since it lists suppliers in geographical locations, offers “one-click” links to websites and supplier portfolios, where available, and allows you to read online ratings and customer reviews at a glance. Being able to carry out online checks through actual customer reviews provides a good indication of the levels of customer satisfaction, timing, and even allows you to obtain online quotes or set up enquiries through which suppliers can contact you directly.
