Tile rooftops are pretty tough and resilient against the harsh UV rays. Even these tough roofing materials can eventually become faded and worn down. The desire to repaint your rooftop can get pretty strong when your rooftop colour fades and gets covered in stains. There are a couple of things, however, that you should keep in mind before you grab that paint bucket and paintbrush.
Can Tile Roofs Be Painted?
Some tile rooftops can be painted but not all tile materials are paint compatible. Concrete, slate, and clay tiles can be painted because they have a rough and porous surface that absorbs the paint well and they usually don’t contain oils that could affect the chemical structure of the paint.
Terracotta roofing tiles, on the other hand, cannot be painted. This is because these tiles are created with a ceramic glaze coating that creates a non-porous surface. The paint doesn’t absorb at all and struggles to cling to the tile surface. Paint that does bond to the glaze will start to flake pretty soon and can make your roof look worse than ever.
Other Considerations Before You Paint a Tile Roof
You can’t paint your roof with just any paint on any given day. The right painting technique, products, and methods need to be implemented or you could end up with a roof that starts to flake and chip within just a year. Here are a couple of other things you should keep in mind before you repaint.
Check the Weather
It is always a good idea to check the weather before you book your paint job. The last thing you need is to have all that expensive paint washed down before they had a chance to settle. Paint also takes longer to dry during wintertime and when the weather is particularly cloudy.
The best time to paint is when it is bright and sunny.
There Are Optimal Times to Repaint a Roof
It is best to wait for your roof to warm up a bit and dry off completely before you give it a coat of paint. The ideal time to paint is after 8 am in the summer or 10 am in the winter. It is also best to stop painting at 12 pm because excessive roof temperatures can cause the paint to harden too fast which may affect your coat texture.
The Roof Surface Needs To Be Prepared Before You Start
Your rooftop will need to be thoroughly cleaned before you paint it. Loose dirt, oils, and particles will affect your adhesion and can result in chipping.
Before you can start applying paint, you will need to wash the entire rooftop using water and a strong scrub brush. All loose dirt and sand particles should be removed and the rooftop should be left to dry off completely before you can get painting.
Use the Right Tools for the Job
Airless spraying tools or wool or synthetic roller are the best tools for repainting tiled rooftops. Without the right tools, your repaint session could take a lot longer than expected and you are very likely to start neglecting your coats and finish.
Be Careful When Choosing a Colour and Paint Type
Fun roof colours can offer an interesting look but they can affect your property value. It is always best to stick with more traditional roofing colours that are currently still trendy.
You should also be careful to invest in a quality roof paint that will last 5 years or you will need to repaint sooner than expected.
A lot of planning and hard work goes into repainting a tile roof. It is always best to use a roofing expert from Singh Roofing for these tough jobs. With these experts, you will get the best advice and your rooftop will get an even coat that is sure to last longer.
