When your home needs a new roof, you may not need to have the old tiles torn off and new shingles or tiles installed. In some cases, you can have the home's roof sprayed or coated with a type of substance that dries and hardens and provides the covering your home's roof needs. This can often be done right over your existing tiles or shingles. If you're thinking about getting a new roof for your home, note a few questions you might have about a roof coating and then discuss these with a roofing contractor if you still need more information.

Can a coating stop roof leaks?

The coverage provided by a roof coating may stop some leaks but it's good to examine the roof and find the source of any leak and then repair this before adding a coating. This will ensure that the coating stays adhered to the surface of the roof and doesn't seep into any open areas, and that it will be thick enough to cover the roof. Large holes in a roof are not meant to be covered with a roof spray so trying to fix a leaking roof with such a coating can be a mistake and just allow more leaks to form.

Will the coating add to the weight of the roof?

For those with older homes, the weight of the roofing material is very important to consider. A thick rubber coating might add to the home's overall weight but note that a roof coating is usually somewhat thin and lightweight. If you're concerned about the weight of the coating, you might discuss this with a roofing contractor and he or she can be sure to examine the attic or crawlspace of the home. They can note if the frame of the home has water damage, cracks, or other structural concerns. However, in the vast majority of cases, the coating is so thin and lightweight that it is usually not an issue.

Does the coating look like tar?

Don't confuse a sprayed coating with a tar roof; this type of coating is flexible like a tar roof but it can also come in a variety of colors. Because it's often put over your existing tiles, it may then also seep into the dips and valleys between tiles so your home still has the look of standard asphalt shingles. This ensures that your residential home still looks like it has a residential roof and not an industrial, drab tar roof.

For more information, contact companies like Blue West Roof Restorations.