Is the roof of your house looking a bit worse for wear and could do with a little bit of colour? Do you have moss growing on your roof and would like to give it a good clean, remove the moss and make your roof look new again?
If you have answered yes to either of the questions above then, you will be glad to know there is a quick and easy solution, roof coating. If your roof is sound in construction and there are no leaks, applying a roof coating will make it more visually appealing.
Average price for roof cleaning and coating
How much does roof cleaning cost and will I have to break the bank having a roofer treat and paint my roof? Can roof coating companies work on all types of roofs or not? This part of the article will answer the questions above and give you more information to help you decide whether roof coating is suitable for your roof.
Can I apply the coating to all roof types?
This is a very common question when it comes to roof coating. Your roofing contractor should assess your roof first at quotation stage and advise you on whether your roof is suitable. As a rule of thumb, roof coating is suitable for concrete tiles only. Concrete tiles are durable enough to withstand the foot traffic while pressure washing, during treatment and when applying the paint. Clay tiles are fragile and walking on them is best avoided. Also, a slate roof is not a good candidate for power washing and painting.
How much does it cost for roof cleaning and coating
The price guide in this article is for a semi-detached house. The price accounts for use of scaffolding for safe access to the roof as well as a biocide treatment. The quote assumes the concrete tiles are in sound condition with very minor, if at all, required. All cement work and chimney flashing are also considered to be in good shape. The roofing contractor will apply two coats of the coating solution.
The cost for the job, according to the specification above, falls between £1,500 and £2,500. Prices will vary depending on where you live in the UK, as well as the size of the property. You may even find lower priced contractors if no scaffolding is required to access the roof e.g. for small bungalows.
What work is involved in roof coating?
This part of the article provides a bit more information on the roof coating process and the work you can expect the contractor to carry out when they arrive. Most contractors will describe the entire process to you, giving you a chance to ask questions. When you use a website like www.Quotatis to request quotes for the job you should expect roofing contractors to visit your home for a site survey. After you have chosen a contractor and agreed to terms, below is the typical process they will go through on the day:
- The survey for quoting purposes would have given the contractor an idea of the access equipment needed for the job. The first day will involve scaffolding erection and setting up all safety equipment including edge protection and harness points. Pressure washing is a bit messy so tarpaulin may be used to protect surfaces to keep them clean.
- Once the access equipment is in place, the roofer will conduct a closer inspection of the roof and carry out minor repairs such as replacing broken tiles. The roofers will remove gutters to prevent them blocking with all the dirt coming off the roof.
- Pressure washing of the roof tiles commences, working from the roof ridge downwards towards the edge of the roof. Depending on the moss infestation it may be necessary to remove the moss manually.
- Next, the builder applies a biocide wash which discourages moss and algae build up. Your roof may need further treatment if you live in coastal areas.
- The first coat of paint goes on and allowed to dry before the roofer applies a second coat. Ensure the roofer allows adequate drying times between the fungicidal wash and the subsequent paint coats.
- Finally, the roofer will reaffix the gutters and take down the scaffolding and clean up the ground surfaces as required.
Your roof should now look brighter than before, and the coating will last for at least 15 years.
5 Common misconceptions about roof coating
Some roof coating companies peddle falsehoods when selling their services, and this section of the article addresses some of the common misconceptions they may take advantage of.
- Roof coating will protect my roof from leaks. Only repairs to broken tiles will stop your roof from leaking because roof painting is largely cosmetic.
- Painting your roof will help reduce heat loss and help you save on heating bills.
- Roof coating is a substitute for roof replacement. Concrete roof tiles have a lifespan of about 70+ years. Beyond this, even roof coating will not stop the natural deterioration
- Roof painting will prevent the growth of moss. The fungicidal treatment will only work for a short time and will wear off. Your roof will require further treatments in the future.
- You can make your tiles waterproof by roof coating. Roof tiles are already waterproof and will only leak if broken.
Be wary of roof coating companies who approach you and try to sell their services by quoting any one of the statements above. Finding a professional contractor with a traceable reputation for this type of work is crucial.
We recommend using Quotatis to fin a roof coating contractor to work on your home. You will receive three quotes from contractors local to you. You will then be able to check the contractor’s work history and customer feedback before appointing someone.