Questions to Ask Before Specifying Any Metal Roof Coating System
The right questions can reveal far more about a roof coating system than a brochure, data sheet or warranty.
Do not start by comparing brochures
Most roof coating manufacturers can produce an attractive data sheet and web site.
Most can show photographs of completed roofs.
Most can offer some form of long term warranty.
Those things are useful, but they do not necessarily tell a specifier how well a system will deal with the roof in front of them.
A better comparison starts with questions.
Here are twelve that we believe are worth asking of any manufacturer.
How is cut edge corrosion treated?
Cut edge corrosion is one of the most common defects on ageing profiled metal roofs. It should not be treated as an afterthought.
How are corroded fixings and difficult details dealt with?
Small details can create disproportionately large problems. Ask what the manufacturer expects the contractor to do when these conditions are encountered.
What independent evidence supports the system?
A fire classification should be considered in relation to the tested roof system and proposed application, rather than treated simply as a logo on a data sheet.
What does the fire classification actually cover?
A fire classification should be considered in relation to the tested roof system and proposed application, rather than treated simply as a logo on a data sheet.
How will the specified coating thickness be checked?
If a particular film thickness is necessary for performance, there should be a practical means of checking that sufficient material has been applied.
Who is allowed to install the system and what training do they receive?
The term “approved contractor” should mean something. Ask how installers are trained and what technical support is available to them.
What happens when the contractor finds something unexpected?
Existing roofs frequently reveal additional defects during preparation. Find out whether the contractor has direct access to somebody technically competent or whether site queries have to pass through a sales process.
What does the warranty actually cover?
Establish whether it is a product warranty, workmanship warranty, insurance backed warranty or a combination. Ask about exclusions, maintenance requirements and who carries responsibility for installation.
How will the specified coating thickness be checked?
If a particular film thickness is necessary for performance, there should be a practical means of checking that sufficient material has been applied.
Has somebody assessed the actual roof?
A specification based entirely upon photographs, drawings or assumptions may overlook defects that materially affect preparation or detailing.
What exactly is included in the specification?
Does it deal with cut edges, fixings, laps, penetrations, corrosion, rooflights, gutters and previous repairs, or does it largely describe the main coating?
What preparation is required?
Ask what needs to be cleaned, removed, abraded, treated or primed. Preparation is frequently where apparently cheaper systems cease to be comparable.
The lowest coating price may not represent the lowest project cost
When systems are compared solely on the cost of the main coating, important differences can disappear.
One system may require different preparation.
Another may require additional products or coats.
Cut edge treatment may be included in one specification but additional in another.
The required film thickness may differ substantially.
Warranties and independent approvals may also differ.
Comparisons should therefore be made on the complete specification rather than the price of a drum.
Ask difficult questions before the work starts
The purpose of these questions is not to make specification complicated.
It is the opposite.
Difficult questions are considerably easier to deal with before a contractor starts work.
At Liquasil, we welcome them.
If somebody is considering one of our systems and wants to understand its suitability, limitations, preparation requirements, certification or warranty, they can speak directly to people who understand the system.
We believe that is how specification support should work.