You can help your roof last longer and stand up to the elements with the right roof sealant.
Your roof will hold up to an impressive amount of punishment. Over the course of a year, roofs beat back conditions such as heat, thunder, hail, or snow. But even the hardest roof will succumb to the elements over time.
A continual bombardment of elements creates small leaks and penetrations in your roof. These openings can let in moisture. In turn, that moisture can create expensive damage.
You can prevent damage to your home’s structure by closing penetrations with a roof sealant. This method is a cost-effective way to protect your home.
To learn more about the best roof sealant options for repairs in 2021, keep reading.
Things to Consider When Choosing Roof Sealant
There are a number of roof sealants on the market. It can also prove difficult to find out which one is better suited to your needs.
It lets you grasp the properties of roof sealants to narrow down your options. Below are some of the attributes that you can remember.
Sealant Purpose
You can use some roof sealants on nearly any type of roof. However, you may need to make special considerations for roofing materials such as asphalt, composites, metal, and rubber.
You may also need a sealant that’s designed for the slope of your roof. You’ll also want to consider whether you’re making a minor repair or sealing your entire roof.
Type of Sealant
In general, there are two types of roof sealant—water-based and solvent-based. A water-based sealant is cost-effective and has no scent. However, it is not as durable as a solvent-based substance.
In the meantime, a solvent-based sealant can do a great job at holding up against the elements. However, it is typically more costly, heavier, and harder to apply.
Roof Sealant C5M Certification
Manufacturers score a roof sealant on a scale from C1 to C5. This scale identifies the ability of a roof sealant to survive the environment.
The C1 roof seal can only tolerate a minimum of components. However, a C5 roof sealant can survive the toughest environmental conditions.
Waterproofing Characteristics
All sealants protect roofs from precipitation—to a degree. However, not every sealant enables you to create a 100% waterproof membrane. If you want to waterproof your roof, you should choose a sealant made of rubber, silicone, or polyurethane.
Sealant Reflectivity
Reflectivity is the capacity of the roof to deflect sunlight. More specifically, it is the power to deflect fire.
In part, this feature is determined by the shade and substance of the sealant. Some manufacturers say that their goods are 92% reflective.
Longevity of Roof Sealant
The lifespan of a roof sealant varies. Most roof sealant products can last between 10 and 20 years. However, the lifespan of your application will also vary based on how thick you apply the sealant.
Product Ease of Application
Finally, you’re going to want to understand the ease of use. Silicone and other plastic sealants, for example, are relatively stronger. They’re more complicated to apply for this purpose.
Conversely, if you use a finer sealant, you would need to add additional coats. This point is highly important if you plan to build a waterproof barrier.
Roof Sealant FAQs
Again, there are a ton of options when it comes to roof sealant. However, there are a few points that all roof sealants have in common. Learning more about what roof sealants have in common may help with your research.
How Do I Use Roof Sealant?
The way that you use roof sealant depends on the thickness of the product. There are several ways that you can install sealant on your roof.
For example, you can use a paintbrush, a paint roller, a paint sprayer, or a hand trowel. With some roof sealants, however, you’d use a caulk gun.
How Long Do I Have to Wait for the Sealant to Dry?
The drying time for roof sealant varies based on the product composition. It also varies based on the climate. In general, however, roof sealant takes between 24 and 48 hours to dry completely.
How Can I Remove Old Sealant?
In most cases, you can use a plastic putty knife to remove the old sealant. However, it’s important to exercise caution. You must ensure that you don’t damage the underlying roofing material when removing the old sealant.
Our Picks for the Best Roof Sealant
Now, you know a lot of valuable information about the roof sealant. As a consequence, you will now make an educated decision to compare multiple offers.
If you’re curious, “What’s the right sealant on the roof? “There are many successful goods on the market. Even, we’re working to make the process smoother. With this in mind, we’ve listed some of the best roof sealants available.
Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant – Indoor Outdoor
Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant is great on all types of roofs. It is an extremely versatile and durable material.
In addition, Liquid Rubber has built the sealant to prevent the loss of adhesion. With this commodity, sunshine has a rough time weakening the product.
In comparison, Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant is environmentally safe. It does not contain dangerous chemicals. It also does not emit harmful toxins.
Gorilla Waterproof Patch Seal Tape
With Gorilla Waterproof Patch Seal Tape, you can create a permanent bond to seal out water, air, and moisture instantly. This product is a great tool for making quick repairs.
The sealant is rated for indoor and outdoor use. It also has an extra-thick, UV resistant adhesive layer.
Liquid Rubber Seam Tape – Peel and Stick
Liquid Rubber Seam Tape also has a tape product design for quick repairs. With this sealant, you can still roof joints seams, copings, gutters, skylights, and flashings.
This product features an easy-to-use peel-and-stick backing. The manufacturer also suggests reinforcing the tape with a liquid coating.
Sashco 14004 Gallon Clear Roof Sealant
Sashco 14004 Gallon Clear Roof Sealant is our option for the best leak sealant on the roof. You can spread it quickly with a brush or a roller. It’s also our choice for the best roll on the roof sealant for this reason.
The sealant has strong stretching effects. That’s why it’s not going to break, split, or pull away from the surface of your roof.
Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating – Solar Reflective
Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating is your solution for creating a cool shell atop your home. The UV properties of the sealant also prevent the product from degrading.
This sealant is another eco-friendly alternative that doesn’t emit chemicals or odors. A gallon of Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating is a good product to keep around for emergency repairs.
Rubberseal Liquid Rubber Waterproofing Coating
Rubberseal Liquid Rubber Waterproofing Coating is an excellent rubber coating with high thermal properties. It’s our pick for the best rubber roof sealant. It’s even Energy Star rated.
This roof sealant resists aging and UV exposure. Furthermore, it does a great job of preventing heat from entering your home.
Liquid Rubber Color Waterproof Sealant
You can make a durable, flexible roofing membrane with Liquid Rubber Color Waterproof Sealant. This substance is our preference for the best cold weather sealant on the roof. The label is available in a range of colors, including beige, ivory, dark grey, light grey, and other colors.
You may use Liquid Rubber Color Waterproof Sealant to produce an appealing, durable finish for different roofs. You may use it to prevent ponding, too.
Loctite PL S30 Black Roof and Flashing Sealant
Last but not least, Loctite PL S30 Black Roof and Flashing Sealant is a great sealant for small repairs. It’s affordable and comes in a convenient caulk gun cartridge.
You can use Loctite PL S30 Black Roof and Flashing Sealant to create a permanent, waterproof seal. You can also paint over this roof sealant as desired.
Is Roof Sealant a DIY Job?
Roof work is hard, particularly during the summer. There is nowhere to hide from the light. Before you agree to a roofing project—especially if it’s a major one—it’s a good idea to evaluate the resolve.
Next, pull your ladder out, walk up, and see how you sit on the roof. If your stomach is funny or your legs are beginning to wobble, you may want to leave the job to a pro.
More specifically, note that any work on the roof is risky. A pro has experience living on a rooftop and remaining healthy. If—for whatever reason—you don’t have faith in your abilities to do a job, it’s still best to hire a specialist.
Get the Job Done Right the First Time
Now you know more of the best replacement options for roof sealants in 2021. If you have a roof leak or want to seal your roof and prefer a skilled touch, Hulsey Roofing is here to fulfill your needs!
We’ve been installing excellent roofs for over 40 years and performing top-notch maintenance work in Missouri. Hulsey Roofing is serious about high-quality craftsmanship and ethical operation.
For this cause, we have gained a reputation as a reliable service provider. We’re going to help you pick the right choices to fix or rebuild your roof.
Contact Hulsey Roofing today at (314) 846-7663 or connect with us online for a free roofing estimate.
