When it comes to extending the life of your TPO roof (and getting a renewable 10–20-year warranty), installing a roof coating system is an efficient and effective solution. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the installation process:
1. Roof Survey and Wet Insulation Removal
The first step involves conducting a thorough roof survey to identify any areas of wet insulation beneath the TPO membrane. These areas must be removed and replaced. If they aren’t (and many unethical contractors skip this step to be the low-bid winner), the trapped water will find a place to go.
Either down to the deck and eventually into your facility. Or, through evaporation, the water will go up and create bubbles or blisters in your new roof.
2. Power Washing
Next, the roof is power washed to remove dirt, debris, and any contaminants that could affect the coating’s adhesion. This step is crucial for ensuring a clean surface for the coating application.
The PSI of water is determined by the manufacturer’s specs. In most cases, a minimum of 2500 PSI is required.
3. Adhesion Test
An adhesion test determines if a primer is needed. This test ensures that the coating will properly adhere to the TPO surface, enhancing the longevity and effectiveness of the roof coating system.
Here’s a 20-second video of primer being installed on a TPO roof before a coating installation:
4. Seam Reinforcement
Seam reinforcement is critical to keep seams intact. The process involves:
- Install tape over the seam
- Applying a layer of coating over the seams
- Placing seam reinforcement fabric over that coating
- Adding another layer of coating over the coating + fabric
Here’s a video from Progressive Materials, a coating manufacturer, on how to do this step:
5. Applying the Coating
Finally, the coating is applied over the entire field of the roof. The thickness and coverage of the coating are determined by the desired warranty length and the manufacturer’s specifications. This protective layer not only extends the life of the TPO roof but also provides additional waterproofing and UV protection.
Here’s a video of silicone coating being installed via the “snake and roll” method:
The snake and roll method is used when there’s strong wind and/or assets nearby that absolutely cannot catch any oversprayed coating.
Here’s a short video of silicone coating being sprayed the traditional way:
By following these steps, you can ensure a durable and long-lasting roof coating system for your TPO roof.
