subject: Sealing Your Roof Right On Your Own [print this page] Sealing a roof can be properly and easily mastered if you know how to do it right. Heres a list of steps on how to do it yourself:
1. Know where are the spotsand the potential spots that can appear on the next downpour. Keep your roof mapped in a paper to locate where and how many spots you wanted to seal ahead. Inspect all of the seams to ensure that the roof tar is intact. You can use a spray paint to mark all areas you want to work on. However, open seams, cracks, and blisters may require professional repair before you go for your personal job.
2. Choose the right sealant. A wide variety of sealants from eligible companies are offered on the market. Sealants that are water-resistant and those that can dry easily with industry-grade strength are preferable.
3. Plan the job ahead as to when you will do the job and the persons who will assist you. Doing the job under a high sunrise can be suggested, though you need to gear up to protect yourself from the heat.
4. Prepare the area by cleaning up dusts which can lessen the adhesiveness of your sealant. If there is any gravel on the roof or any stubborn stains, you may want to use a knife or a scalpel.
5. Using a primer is recommended for most surfaces before the actual sealing. In multi-coat operations, apply the base coat also in a thickness recommended by the manufacturer.
6. During the application, be sure to spread out the cement to at least 6 inches for optimal protection. Press into the cement using steady and even pressure to smoothen it. Apply this tip to all of the areas where sealing is required. For obvious holes, be sure to press the cement deeper, virtually giving it an embossed feel from the inside.
7. After drying up, you may want to clean the roof and apply roofing tape to the seams so as to ensure a smooth finish. If it is a flat roof you are working on, you may also want to cover it using roofing gravel.
If these are done properly, the sealant that you applied will be an effective protection against future leaks and rust. But above all, take time also to read the instructions of your sealant since some would require special steps. Ladder safety is always implied and is a requisite to this operation, so do it yourself for the best of your family.
