Home Garden

DIY Roof Sealant

Regular applications of roof sealant will help to extend the life of your roof, so you avoid costly repairs and replacement expenses. Once your roof is damaged, you may experience leaking that creates more damage inside the home, and the structural integrity of your home may become compromised. Roof sealant helps you avoid expensive repairs, but it's important to exercise caution when using roof sealant on your own.

Things You'll Need

  • Wire brush/coarse sandpaper
  • Broom
  • Ladder
  • Screwdriver
  • Liquid rubber
  • Rag
  • Bleach
  • Bucket
  • Patching cement
  • Paint brush
  • Paint roller
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wait for a clear day that is neither too hot nor too cold. Do not apply roof sealant unless the temperature ranges from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity and rain will affect the sealant, so check weather reports carefully before you begin.

    • 2

      Clean the roof with a wire brush or coarse sandpaper to remove old roof coating.

    • 3

      Sweep debris from the roof with a broom.

    • 4

      Look for loose screws and nails, holes and mildew spots. Reattach the screws with a screwdriver, patch holes with liquid rubber and clean mildew with a rag and diluted bleach that's 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.

    • 5

      Mix patching cement in a bucket.

    • 6

      Coat seams, screw heads and flashing with the patching cement, applying it with a stiff paint brush.

    • 7

      Wait for the cement to dry.

    • 8

      Mix the roof sealant thoroughly. The sealant usually comes in its own bucket, so you do not need to pour it out.

    • 9

      Study the label to see how thick to apply the sealant. The measurement will be given by the gallon; for example, 1 gallon per 100 square feet.

    • 10

      Dip a paint roller in the sealant and apply it to the roof the way you would apply paint.