Common Roofing Issues: UV Degradation of Roof Coating

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Common Roofing Issues: UV Degradation of Roof Coating

Quality is at the heart of our Austin roofing company in every project we take on. Contact our experienced Central Texas roofers for a same-day, pressure-free inspection. Call 512-375-3654 to book your free inspection.

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UV resistant roofing materials have become big business. We know that some materials are much better than others at deflecting UV rays, and that solar reflectance means there's less heat absorption into the home or building. Many roof coatings are developed to maximize these benefits. But they are UV resistant materials, they aren't indestructive. As the frontline of defense, UV degradation can occur.

When a roof coating suffers from UV degradation, its protective performance and lifespan are dramatically reduced. Sunlight, especially the intense Texas sun, breaks down the chemical bonds in many coatings, causing visible damage and making the roof more vulnerable to leaks, water intrusion and costly repairs. This is the case regardless of whether you have UV resistant asphalt shingles, metal roofing or another type of roofing material.

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What UV Degradation Looks Like

We can't see UV radiation, but you can see the effects on a roof. Even when a roof coating is engineered to have UV resistance, eventually UV degradation will become a problem causing issues like:

Color Fading and Chalking

Roof coatings often lose their vibrant color and begin to look dull from UV exposure. A chalky, white residue can also develop as resins and pigments break down.

Cracking, Peeling and Brittleness

Prolonged UV exposure can soften or harden the coating, leading to cracks and areas where the coating splits, becomes brittle or peels away from the underlying roofing system.

Loss of Flexibility and Strength

UV rays weaken the coating's structure, making it less able to expand and contract with temperature swings. This allows small cracks to quickly grow into large leaks.

Decreased Waterproofing

Once UV rays have broken down the coating's surface, water can penetrate through more easily. This will accelerate rust on metal roofs and rot on flat roofs where water ponds.

Reduced Energy Efficiency

Reflective coatings lose their protective property over time, causing the structure to absorb more heat and driving up air conditioning costs in the summer.

Repairing the Roof Coating For Better UV Resistance

UV degradation is a slow but relentless process that turns even premium cool roofs into brittle, faded, ineffective layers if they aren’t maintained. Repairing a roof coating that's been damaged by UV degradation requires careful attention in order to restore its protective qualities and extend roof life. Here’s what our professional roofers do to correct issues caused by prolonged exposure and reverse the degradation process.

Inspection and Assessment of UV Damage

We'll begin by inspecting the protective roof coating for signs of UV degradation. What we're looking for is fading, chalking, cracking, peeling and brittleness to determine the extent of damage. It's also important to identify areas where the coating has lost adhesion since it makes the roof structure vulnerable to other environmental factors and can compromise structural integrity.

Cleaning and Surface Preparation

In order to get adequate adhesion the roof must be cleaned thoroughly using low-pressure washing to remove chalk residue, dirt and debris. Once the roof is clean, any underlying damage such as cracks, splits or blisters can be repaired.

Removing the Damaged Coating

The damaged coating must also be removed prior to recoating. This is done by scraping or sanding away loose, peeling or excessively degraded coating layers to expose the stable substrate underneath. For severe damage, partial or full removal of the old coating may be necessary.

Apply an Appropriate UV-Resistant Repair Coating

Selecting roofing materials is a big decision. There is no roofing material UV rays can't damage given enough time, but some are better than others. Compatibility is also a consideration. There are a variety of options from elastomeric coatings to acrylic coatings, but they don't work for every roofing material.

We may also need to apply a UV-resistant primer before applying a roof coating that's formulated specifically for UV protection. How these products are applied matters. You have to use the correct thickness and application method to ensure durability and full UV defense.

Routine Maintenance and Inspection

Experience has already shown that the protective coating isn't foolproof. You'll need to schedule regular roof inspections to catch early signs of UV damage and preserve the reflective properties through roof maintenance measures aimed at protecting the coating.

As a top-rated Texas roofer, LOA knows all about UV degradation and how to repair existing roofing materials. Any homeowner or commercial property owner in the Austin area can reach us at 512-375-3654 or schedule a free roof inspection online to determine the extent of the damage and how to get it repaired fast.

We're One of the Highest Rated
Roofers in Austin for a Reason

At LOA, we believe success is defined by customer satisfaction. We're proud to say we have some of the happiest clients in the roofing industry! You can find hundreds of 5-star reviews like the ones below online.

"I got three inspections and decided to use LOA Construction for a new roof. LOA’s Dan Harvey worked with my insurance inspector to make sure all the hail/wind damage was accounted for, gave us a good choice of shingle colors, and was great at communicating. The workers did quality work, found and repaired rotted wood and cleaned up. Highly recommend!"

— Brian McFarlin, 5-Star Google Review

"Brandon at LOA construction made replacement of our roof very easy. He was the only roofing contractor that I could find that would work directly with our insurance company. They showed up on time and made the whole process very easy. And we have a great looking high quality roof! I Would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a new roof. Give them a call if you need a roof or think you might have wind or hail damage. I had several other bids that were higher cost and didn't think our insurance would cover it. Our insurance did cover it, I think they were just unwilling to work with the insurance company. Not Brandon, not only was he will to work with our insurance he met with the adjuster and made the whole thing a breeze. Thanks again LOA and Brandon!!!!"

— Mike A., 5-Star Google Review

LOA Construction has exceeded my expectations again. This is the second roof installation with them and I couldn't be happier. Specifically, Tyler Griffiths is professional, attentive, and made the entire process of working with my insurance company effortless. My tenant sent a glowing account of their experience as well. Knowing it was a rental, they still diligently protected all property and plants. They were on time every time and went out of their way to not inconvenience the residents. LOA Construction has integrity and takes pride in their work. I couldn't recommend them more.

— Sheri Moran

"Worked with Zac and his team. Zac did an outstanding job working with the insurance company to ensure all damage was covered. Roof and gutters installed each were on time and all work was top of the line. This is a company that really does put the customer first. With out question I would recommend loa construction and roofing."

— Tony Smith, 5-Star Google Review

From the very start, I knew I was in good hands. The professionalism was top-notch, but most important, was the caring attitude of the project manager, Dan Harvey, the roofing supervisor, Ambrocio, and the roofing crew. They made sure every detail was covered. They are definitely an asset to LOA Construction. I highly recommend them. Dennis and Suzy S

— Dennis Sanger

Andrew was very great at getting myself and my wife all the information and getting us started from start to completion. His workers were friendly and professional. If ever I had to contact him, he was quick to respond back. We are very happy with the finished product. Yes, I would and have recommended him and his company to get their work by LOA Construction and Austin. Andrew made sure my wife would be satisfied with whatever roof she liked. Can't thank you enough Andrew and LOA Construction.

— Paul Coleman

As a first time home owner with no experience in how to make claims and start the process of getting a new roof I was scared to the point of avoiding what needed to get done after the bad hail storm. August Walker did an amazing job walking me through each step along the way. He answered all my questions and calmed my concerns. They inspected my roof and drove from Austin to Belton just to be there with the ins inspector, and followed up with me in person after the roof was installed. He also made a special trip back to drop off samples! I’m grateful to August and LOA construction for being highly professional and friendly!

— Angela Baker

From start to finish Lee and his team took great care of us. He made us feel comfortable during the process and answered any and all questions we had. I would definitely them recommend to anyone.

— Taneisha Jones

Arthur Harris and his team with LOA Construction did an excellent job on our roof. They finished it in one day. Arthur was very good in explaining all the information to us.

— Crystal Hill

Will, has been so awesome and easy to work with he gets everything we want done the way we want it and also keeps us updated as we are over the road truck drivers !!! Hands down to LOA Construction for their great service and great customer service !!!

— Tanya Dudkiewicz

Dan Harvey is Very Knowledgeable and directed me straight to the products that will save us money in the next 3 years the savings on energy costs alone will pay for the installation itself. I highly recommend LOA Construction and Dan Harvey! Actual Customer Jefferson Fara

— Jefferson Fara

Mark from LOA roofing was very professional from the git, the initial estimate process, he quickly identified all the issues that needed to be addressed. The company was very prompt, to coordinate the crew, and for a very reasonable price, got my roof repaired without any hassle. They also took care of all the cleaning, so that it all looked like nothing happened. I would recommend Mark from LOA to anyone needing a roof repair, with no kind of hesitation.

— Ale León

Loa Construction provides quality services in installing roof and related repairs. I’ll recommend it to my friends and family.

— Peijie Li

Thanks to Landon Wells of LOA Construction for the beautiful new roof! It was all completed in one day including a meticulous clean up job afterwards. The workers were all polite and professional. Landon made sure everything went smoothly and that all of our questions were answered. I am thrilled with our new roof. I would definitely recommend Landon and LOA Construction to all of my friends and family. Thank you Landon!

— Renee Johnson

Choose quality roofing for a lasting investment in your home.

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Dedicated to excellence, our Austin roofing company ensures quality in every project. Contact our skilled Central Texas roofers for a same-day, hassle-free inspection. Call +1 (512) 375-3654 to book your free inspection.