Run a building in Tampa long enough and you learn one thing fast. The sun here is hard on roofs. Last August a property manager in Westchase called us about brown stains spreading across his office ceiling. His flat roof was only twelve years old, but the Florida heat and afternoon storms had baked it dry and cracked the seams. He thought he needed a full tear-off. He did not. A commercial roof coating sealed the leaks, cooled the building, and bought him another decade.
That is the part most building owners miss. You do not always have to replace a roof. Sometimes you coat it, and you save thousands. The right coating depends on your roof type, its age, and how much water it holds after a storm. Avatar Roofing has worked on commercial roofs across Tampa, South Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg for years. Here is what we have learned about commercial roof coatings and which one fits your building.
Silicone Roof Coatings
For ponding water applications on flat roofs, we recommend the use of silicone. The quick rainfalls in Tampa and subsequent pooling of water in low areas of a roof can quickly compromise most roof coatings. However, silicone elastically seals to remain intact even under standing water. Also, for roofs located near the Ybor City and Davis Islands areas with slower drainage, this coating will provide superior performance. Additionally, it is a reflective coating which keeps buildings cool by reducing the amount of heat that the roof absorbs thus reducing air conditioning usage. One coat of silicone will last 15 years or more and can be recoated in the future without having to strip off the existing coating.
Acrylic Roof Coatings
For budget-sensitive projects where ponding is not a major issue, acrylic can be an excellent option. It applies white, reflects the sun, and cools the roof on hot Tampa days. We apply acrylic coatings on metal roofs and sloping commercial roofs in the Lutz, Odessa, and Tampa areas. The finish is easy to clean and can be coated again in the future as needed. Also very cost-effective, acrylic coatings are one of the most affordable options on the market today. For example, a large warehouse or strip mall can benefit from a durable roof coating at an affordable price – acrylic is just the ticket.
Flat Roof Coatings
Tampa Bay has many office buildings and retail centers with flat roofs. Many of these leak sooner or later. A flat roof coating covers the entire surface with one layer. In order to ensure that the coating layer adheres to all areas, such as all drains, all seams and all edges, we thoroughly inspect all of these areas before applying the coating. A well-applied flat roof coating can make an old roof look great and make it watertight for many years to come.
Metal Roof Coatings
Typically, metal roofs begin to rust at the fasteners and at the seam closures long before the metal roof panels deteriorate. By coating a metal roof, the rust is stopped, the seams are sealed to prevent leaks, and the noise of heavy rain is greatly decreased. We apply metal roof coatings to shops and warehouses located throughout Pinellas and Pasco counties. In addition to being leak-tight, the coated metal roof has a bright surface, which greatly reduces summer heat to lower cooling costs. We can also give new life to the older metal roofs on shops and barns located near Keystone by applying a single coat.
Roof Restoration
Roof restoration is a complete process to restore a roof to its original condition. We begin by cleaning your roof to remove any debris, repairing any soft spots, resetting your flashing, and sealing any additional weak points prior to applying your roof coating. Our goal is to make your roof act like new for a fraction of the cost of a total roof replacement. We have many Largo and Keystone area owners who are looking for an alternative to a tear-off and complete replacement – allowing them to keep their building dry while keeping their doors open.
Commercial Roof Repair
Not every roof needs a full coat immediately. Some roofs only need repair to one seam or to a section of roof damaged by a storm. Our commercial roof repair services in Tampa can locate a small leak before it causes further damage to your ceiling. We clean up after the repair and honestly tell you whether or not a coat is needed in addition to the repair or if the repair is sufficient.
How Long Do Commercial Roof Coatings Last
A good commercial roof coating can last 10-20 years or more depending on the coating type and how well the roof was prepared prior to coating. Silicone coatings typically get the best life in our tropical wet climate. When selecting a coating, the best indicator of how long it will last is the surface it’s applied to. A coating is only as good as the surface it’s applied to. We never coat over dirt, black mold or a wet roof because it will trap moisture and cut down the coating life. We clean the surface, repair any weakened areas and then apply the coating. This is why our coatings last year after year through the hot Tampa summers.
Coating or Replacement: How to Tell
Typically, a roof coating is best for a roof that has mostly sound roofing with a few leaks and a dry deck. However, if the deck is wet, the insulation is damp or more than 25% of the roofing surface has failed, then a full roofing replacement is typically the best option. We climb up on your roof and check the core of the roof to give you an honest assessment of what your best option would be. Most roofs we inspect have good structural components and can get an additional 10-20 years of useful life with a coating, as opposed to the cost of a full tear off and replacement.
Why Tampa Building Owners Call Avatar Roofing
We are local. We know how Tampa heat, Tampa salt air and Tampa summer storms can damage roofs. We show up on time. We explain what your roof needs. We do not have an interest in selling you a coating that you do not need. If repair is enough to fix the problem, then that is what we recommend. If a coating will save you money in the long run, then we will show you the numbers.
Coating your commercial roof can be a great option to reflect the sun’s rays, keep water out and extend the roof’s life while saving you money compared to replacing it in full. Let’s take a look at your roof and discuss the options. We can set up a time and walk your roof with you. Call Avatar Roofing at (813) 962-7663.