Need It Weatherproofed?
Written: Jan 17 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Works Better Than Advertised
Cons: May be more expensive than similar products (but worth it)
The Bottom Line: Highly Recommended. Manufacturer produces numerous products for almost any waterproofing application.
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| TimeRanger's Full Review: Oregon Research & Development 5g Snow Roof Coating... |
Snow Roof
If you have a leaking roof – ANYWHERE – your home, business, RV, even your storage shed, or you want to save on the power bills by applying a heat reflecting coating to any of these surfaces, Snow Roof is your answer.
I first used this product almost 10 years ago on the roof of a travel trailer that I purchased used. I live in the desert southwest (Vegas) and it is not often that we see rain, but I did not want to find out the hard way that the trailer’s roof leaked. Since that time, I have used this stuff on a variety of surfaces – asphalt shingles, rolled roofing, steel sheds and even bare wood (see below). I have even used Snow Roof to glue carpeting to concrete, although that application is not mentioned by the manufacturer.
Qualities
Bonds to tar, concrete, rolled roofing, shingles, rubber membrane, foam, metal and tile - just about anything and everything.
500% elastic when dry – Snow Roof will expand and contract with your roof without cracking.
96% Reflective – If your roof temperature normally reaches 200 degrees in the sunshine, Snow Roof will drop this temp to around 80 degrees or so, depending on the ambient air temperature. As you can imagine, this takes a big chunk out of your power bill!
Cleans up with water, if the product has not dried. I know of nothing that will remove it after it has cured.
8 Year warranty when applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions.
Tools Needed
For the Prep Work, you will need: Water hose, broom and maybe a scraper if the surface has flakes that cannot be removed with the broom. A screwdriver is also handy for scraping dirt from crevices. If a degreaser is used, be sure to wash with a mild detergent and rinse well.
SUNGLASSES! Although the manufacturer makes no mention of this, do NOT attempt to apply Snow Roof on a sunny day without sunglasses. I don’t think that Mother Nature ever made something as white as Snow Roof. As noted above, this stuff is 96% reflective so it is almost like staring at the sun. Without this type of eye protection, you could easily find yourself “snow-blind” in a very short period of time. (Being blind And on a roof is not a good situation) No other personal protection items, such as respirators or rubber gloves are needed. While the fumes/vapors have a slight ammonia odor, they are non-toxic and non-irritating in normal applications. People with very sensitive skin may want to wear gloves and protective clothing.
Paint Brush – If there are penetrations through the roof (vent pipes, wires, etc) you will need a paint brush to apply Snow Roof around and to them. I recommend a CHEAP, disposable brush, 3 or 4 inches wide.
Paint Roller with Extension Handle – A heavy nap roller is preferred. If you have a large area to coat, 18 inch wide rollers are available at most professional paint supply stores. Again, a Cheap roller is recommended since you will most likely discard it when you are finished. If you cannot finish the job in a single session, either wrap your brush and roller tightly in plastic or seal them in an airtight container to keep them moist and pliable.
Preparation
For most surfaces, all that you have to do is sweep or blow any loose debris from surface, rinse with hose and let dry. Remove any oil or grease. Snow Roof Systems makes numerous products for the filling of large cracks before Snow Roof is applied, but I have applied it in/over gaps and cracks as large as 3/8 of an inch without any extras and have never experienced leakage. For most applications, a coat of Snow Roof primer is recommended, but I have never used it.
Application
Surface should be warm, but not hot to the touch. It is recommended that the application take place in direct sunshine and no threat of rain for 24 hours afterwards. Air temperatures should be between 40 and 110F. Anything that falls onto the wet surface WILL stay there, so low or no wind is preferable. Obviously, if you plan on applying Snow Roof on a dark surface during the summer, it is best to get an Early morning start. Start by coating the areas around any penetrations, being sure to cover any old coatings, both on the roof and on the protrusion. Let these areas dry before continuing – At 85 degrees with 40% humidity, this should take about an hour to be dry enough to recoat. Please note that Snow Roof has a rather thick consistency, about as or maybe a little thicker than sour cream. Several thin coats are better than a single, thick coat that may sag. For the large areas, simply pour Snow Roof directly from the can onto the surface and spread with the roller. Since this stuff is thick, you may have a little trouble getting the roller to roll, but don’t worry, just keep spreading it out, working for a consistent thickness in coverage. Another Note: If your application will be over sidewalks or any other item that you do not want waterproofed, it is advised that drop cloths be used for protection – just in case you let Snow Roof drip over the edge.
Does Snow Roof work?
YES. Due to its reflective properties, you will gain a drastic reduction in surface temperature, even before it dries. Waterproof? Yes. Snow Roof is literally a rubber sheet that you pour out of a can. Does it adhere well? YES!!! This product will adhere to almost any clean, dry surface, forever. Once Snow Roof is dry, it is impossible to remove from clothing. This is why you should wear footwear and clothes that you do not mind getting permanently “dirty”.
How Long Does It Last?
While the manufacturer recommends at least 2 coats, the single coat that I applied to the travel trailer, without any “primer”, was still holding on tight and doing its job when I sold the trailer 4 years later. The Snow Roof that I applied to an aged, almost flat, asphalt shingle roof over a patio never leaked. 5 years later when the homeowner decided to re-roof the entire home, the shingled section over the patio was almost impossible to remove due to the Snow Roof bonding the shingles into a single sheet. Unlike a lot of other roof coating products, Snow Roof is safe to walk on and will not be damaged by the foot traffic that the average roof receives.
Oddball Application
As I stated at the beginning of this Review, Snow Roof will also waterproof bare wood. About 6 years ago, the bottom pan rusted out of the evaporative (swamp) cooler perched on my buddy’s roof. We found out that you can buy replacements for every part of the cooler EXCEPT the bottom pan. We ended up fabricating a new pan from ¼ inch thick plywood. I gave the new “pan” 2 coats of Snow Roof, inside and out. 3 years later when the rest of the unit was beyond repair, that plywood pan was still watertight. However, it should be noted that the manufacturer does not recommend Snow Roof for submerged applications.
Cost?
While Snow Roof can be a bit pricier than most other roof coatings, I feel that the added cost is a well-spent investment. With most purchases, the larger the container, the cheaper the cost per unit, and Snow Roof is no exception. A 5 gallon pail of Snow Roof costs about the same as 2.5 gallons purchased in 1 gallon pails. Even if you don’t need 5 gallons, you will probably find a use for your left-over product. If sealed tightly, a previously opened container of Snow Roof can have a shelf life of several years. If not sealed, the product will turn into a solid mass of rubber in a short time. Like paint, the initial application can consume far more product than subsequent coats. Highly porous surfaces like asphalt shingles or rolled roofing will take more Snow Roof to cover on the first and sometimes the 2nd coat, which is why 1 gallon per 100 square feet is recommended. However, you may be able to get 250 or more square feet per gallon when applying additional coats.
Recommended:
Yes
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TimeRanger
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Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Reviews written: 15
Trusted by: 1 member
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