Can You Walk on Foam Roofing?

What Is a Foam Roof?

• Foam roofing is the common name for spray polyurethane foam. This type of roof basically starts out as a liquid, which is sprayed onto a clean, dry roof. When it dries, it turns into a durable, seamless layer that resists leaks. A foam roof is lightweight, but has effective insulation properties. It requires some regular maintenance, but a foam roof can last virtually forever.

Is a Foam Roof Damaged Easily?

• A sprayed polyurethane foam roof is very durable since it is made up of many closed cells. If, for example, the top layer is damaged due to a severe hail storm and develops cracks, the foam underneath will likely prevent water leaks. A foam roof can be penetrated and gouged, especially by sharp objects. Damage can often be repaired by caulking the holes and possibly re-coating the roof.

Preventative Maintenance a Foam Roof Needs

• To maintain its hardness and durability, a foam roof needs periodic maintenance. It should have debris such as leaves and tree branches cleared from it. Any tree branches that hang over the roof should be trimmed back. The cleaner the roof is kept, the longer it will last under normal conditions. Caulking that's weathered or damaged should be removed and replaced. Ordinary sweeping, blowing and washing off a foam roof will generally not cause damage.

Walking On a Foam Roof

• Whenever a foam roof needs to be cleaned off or have maintenance performed to it, someone will obviously need to walk on it. Because it's hard and durable, you don't need to worry about damaging the roof with footwear. However, a foam roof is slippery when wet, which is dangerous. When it's dry, it's like walking on a regular roof. Once it gets wet, special caution is needed to move about on a foam roof especially near the edges.