Up On The Roof

The white Bermuda roof is one of Bermuda’s icons. It is also the most important and difficult part of the home to maintain. When you consider that the water you use all slides along the roof before it reaches your cisterns you’ll want to keep it in good shape.

Once again, the downfall with roofs is often lack of adequate preparation and taking short cuts. And, of course, you must use the right paint. While the roof may get painted more often (every two years) than the rest of the exterior of your house, it is always the place to start. Always work from the top down, outside or in. here is the drill for a successful roof.
Block all down spouts and power wash the roof to remove all dirt, and peeling paint.

Treat the roof with bleach, or a 50-X phenol based solution. This penetrates to kill mildew below the surface and protects the roof until paint is applied.
Repair all hairline cracks by scoring them with a can opener to remove loose cement and filling with Roof Patch. Fill large crack with sand and cement.
Don’t wait much more than a day before painting, or mildew may return.

The traditional paint is Portland cement based, Bondex mixed with Acri-Dex 40. NO short cuts; if the paint is applied too thick, it will crack. Wet the roof on hot day’s to prevent cracking.

Two coats are best and sufficient. Best Paint: ACR Super Roof- White a 100% acrylic water resistant coating that contains Health Department approved mildew preventing fungicide. Bermuda Paint has a new 100% electrometric, professional use only, product called Bermuda Roof Guard. This flexible, dirt and fungus resistant coating can last twice as long, but must be applied by trained professionals.
Don’t penny pinch on paint. It only creates more problems in the future. Use the best. Use Bermuda Paint.