HYDRO-SHEEN™ Frequently Asked Questions 1.What is the Glazing process? #15 - The 8 reasons a tile roof leaks
The first step is to wash the mold, mildew, and algae from your roof. In order to do this we apply a coat of diluted sodium hypo chlorite to the roof surface. Although it kills these simple plants, it has no effect on grass, plants or shrubbery because during the next step, the low pressure rinse the chemical is diluted to a point where it becomes harmless. During the low pressure rinse, we remove all biological material and any loose material that is on the tile surface. We use low pressure so that we do not pit the surface of the tile. One goal of glazing is to fill the pours that provide homes for the Gleocapsa algae that turn tile roofs black. Using high pressure to wash the roof is a mistake. Next comes the first coat of the material we produce called Hydro-Bond™. It is a water based acrylic sealer that is designed to penetrate the tile surface. It is also used by the installer to begin filling the pours. The amount of material applied varies from one section of the roof to another because the tile surface varies due to type of tile, manufacturing, past pressure washing, and climate. Our installers are trained to see the difference and to respond to the imperfections of the tile surface. The product that is applied next is called Hydro-Sheen™. It is a water based acrylic sealer and color coat but its properties vary greatly from Hydro-Bond™ The resins that make up this material give it great strength and its ability to hold its color integrity in the Florida climate. Normally it is applied in two coats. The applicator will switch from north/south to east/west when applying Hydro-Sheen™ so that proper coverage is attained and this is also very important in the continuing process of filling in the pours and imperfections. If the client wants color flashes in the tile, they are applied now. These flashes are usually darker than the tile color and spritzed on the surface. The last step of the glazing application is a clear coat of Hydro-Sheen™. This extends the life of the process and finishes the pour removal. At this point, the tile roof has been brought to a “Better Than New” condition.
2.What is Gleocapsa?
Gleocapsa is an order of living material in the plant kingdom. It is actually between a plant and a bacteria and it is everywhere in our environment. Not only do we find it on your tile roof but it can be seen on any surface that will provide it with a place to grow and humidity. This can be the walls of your home, the curb by the street, or in a pool that has not been properly treated with sodium hypo chlorite. It reproduces very quickly and yet because it is a simple plant it can be killed with any number of diluted chemicals. Click here for a more in depth look at this organism.
Pressure washing by definition uses water pressure to blast away algae, mold, and mildew from the tile surface. In order to do this function too much pressure is used and the process also removes color, sand and cement from the tile surface. This is the reason that the mold, mildew and Gleocapsa come back so fast, the process has increased the surface pitting, the habitat where they can grow and multiply. Every situation is different, but it would be safe to say that you will be pressure washing again in 2 to 3 years. You are now scalping the surface of the tile and DAMAGING your very expensive roofing system. You would not knowingly do this to the surface of anything that you own. When you think of the cost of a tile roof, pressure washing or harsh chemical baths are not practical solutions. MORE > The next negative will cost you money. People who pressure wash roofs do not do it every day. Walking on a tile roof is for experts. Clearly, EVERYONE breaks tiles. The secret is taking the responsibility for what you have done and correcting the situation. The problem with pressure washers is that they have not been trained to resolve the broken tile situation and it is a lot easier to say nothing and leave the roof without solving the problem. MORE > When a tile is broken it allows water to come in under the tiles. The first thing that gets wet are the wooden boards that are attached to the felt and plywood on your roof deck. The runner boards are used to attach the tile to the building. They are # 2 untreated wood and after they become wet they dry rot. After this dry rot occurs, you must either: re-set the affected field area or replace the system. Pressure washing is a very expensive way of attaining a temporary fix, ask your roofer
This process was started several years ago when pressure washing companies began being held responsible for the damage that they were doing by walking on the tiles and breaking them. The idea was good and there is a warranty. The problem is that the chemicals change the surface of the tile. It causes increased fading and breaks down the cement. In a warranty situation with the tile manufacturer, you will soon find out that your tile warranty is void because you have changed the composition of the tile by adding chemicals.
If your project is located in an area that has oak and palm trees close to your roof, they will during their growing season drop pollen on your tile roof. This organic surface material will attach to the glaze and Gleocapsa will use this surface to grow. There are 2 solutions to this problem. One, you can wash the pollen off with your garden hose before it becomes a problem. Two, if the growth gets ahead of you, you can simply wet the surface with a bleach and water mist. There is no negative effect from bleach water applied on the Hydro-Sheen™ surface. 6.Can I paint my roof with a high quality acrylic paint? Many people have painted their tile roof. The problem is that these people had more confidence in what they were doing than the manufactures of the paint that they used. There is not one manufacturer of paint in the United States that will offer any warranty , when you apply their paint to roofing tiles. Paint has specific properties and that cause it to crack, peel, and fade quickly on the surface of a tile roof. Paint is not water repellent and that fact allows organic material to grow freely.
Other than the properties of the product, the difference is in the detail of the process. Talk to an expert from your paint store or the technical representative from the paint manufacturer. Write down their directions, if they know enough to give you the process. Don’t forget to get a copy of their warranty if it exists and read it.. Compare your information to question #1 in Frequently Asked Questions on this web site and our 5-year non-prorated warranty. The answer to this question will be very clear. Alberson’s Tile Roof Glaze is clearly the best product on the market with the best application process.
We have been applying Hydro-Sheen™ for over 2 decades. The material works. Failures happen because of human error. Specifically, failures happen because the tiles are not washed properly. The mold, mildew, and Gleocapsa grow under the glazing system and pops up the material. Upon notification we will send an applicator to the project and he will glaze the area that is in question from the start of the process.
In time, over 10 years, our older projects that do not have a clear coat will show oxidation. This can be washed off of the tile. Other than that oxidation, the glazing will hold and not crack, peel, fade, or yellow. If you look at the Formosa Gardens Shopping Center pictures you will see a 12 ½ year old application, (before) and the after, that has been washed and then re-glazed with a maintenance coat. The important point is that 12 ½ years ago, this tile roof did not have a clear coat of Hydro-Sheen applied as its finish coat. If we would have known what we know now our client would not have had to re-glaze. We suggest that our clients have Albersons wash their re-glazed tile roofs and apply a clear coat of Hydro-Sheen™ every 8 to10 years. When this maintenance coat is applied, the roof will be updated to the day we originally finished the roof. Everything that you own including the dirt in your yard has a maintenance factor involved. If our client choose to not do the maintenance wash and maintenance coat of Hydro-Sheen™ the surface of the tile will weather but the product will continue. Hydro-Sheen™ penetrates and becomes part of your roofing system. In time, oxidation becomes a factor but we have yet to see this product completely fail with longevity.
In our installation process, after we put on the primer coat of Hydro-Bond™, the surface is ready for the color(s) of your choice. Switching color is easy and we do it every day. We have many before and after pictures that show you what a color change can do to increase the curb appeal of your project. Remember, the original color of your roof has nothing to do with today’s color trends and the color statement that you want to make on your project. Alberson’s Hydro-Sheen™ can be made in any color(s).
The first step in your project will be a color sample tile from Albertsons. Do not look at this tile at arms length. Put the tile next to a wall and move back 40 feet. You must look at this tile in the morning, at noon and in the evening. Color is affected by the intensity of light and the color is constantly changing.. When you are happy, sign the color release form and return it to Albersons. Color is very important. Color is also personal. Thankfully there are some easy to follow rules to help you in picking a color that will make you an expert, your project beautiful, and the process enjoyable. Rule one. Rule two. Rule three, A., B., and C. A. Your roof color should accent your home and not be the dominate feature. When someone other than yourself looks at your home they should see your building as the dominate feature and not your roof. The goal is to show people your front door and not your chimney. The roof is a compliment to the project. B. There are occasions where the opposite of A. is true. In this case, the person coloring the project has a theme in mind. The best example is doing a great blue when you live by the water. This is an environmental theme. Or, because everything in our environment is green, you can pick out a your green and almost make your roof disappear. We have even done a University of Florida, “Gator Glaze” on a roof. The more you know and study your color options the better you will like the result. We will always be there to help you. C. Albersons will make any color(s) that you desire. Use a color wheel, the color of your pavers. We had a client who gave us a piece of clothing to match. We are like Alice’s Restaurant, where you get what you want. Rule four 1. A boring white tile roof can be made special by adding the color of the walls, as a flash. 2. A burgundy roof is truly beautiful with an onyx flash. 3. A Traditional Terra Cotta or Mission Red roof tones down with a Shadow Flash or even the Praline Flash that is pictured.. Flash colors are fun and they enhance the coloring process. Flashing gives your tile roof character, depth, and dimension. If you need a suggestion, we will help.
A flash color is a second and sometimes third color that is applied to color glazed roof tiles. We do this process every day. It gives your tile roof a dimensional look, with depth and interest. The most beautiful tile roofs in the world include flash colorations.
Cement was developed by the Romans and the cement Roman Aqueduct is over 2,000 years old. Cement does not know how old it is. Your sidewalk does not have a day out there when it will spontaneously crumble. If you maintain your cement tile roof it will last longer than the building that it covers. All of the above is true. But , you can not abuse your tile roof by not maintaining it correctly. You will accelerate the weathering process if you pressure wash your tile’s surface. You will break down the bonds in the cement and your metal flashings if you treat it with harsh chemicals. You will break tiles, if you walk on the roof and you do not know what you are doing. You will damage the sub-roof if you do not have your roof looked at after an event by a professional tile roofing company. You are the catalyst when it comes to the longevity of your tile roof system. Remember, tile roofing systems FAIL because a force was applied to the tile surface. You have the ability to seal your tile roof with the most comprehensive colored sealing system on the market. Once you seal the surface, all surface weathering of the cement stops. Over 90% (and I do not know the exact number) of the mold, mildew, and Gleocapsa algae growth stops due to lack of habitat. Your side benefits include; awesome curb appeal, increased value, a surface that is superior to original manufacturer, no excess water weight from absorption when the tiles are wet, and pride of ownership.
1. A Broken Tile- Replace the tile. Go to your nearest roofing distributor and order 25 to 50 of the tiles that match your roof. Make sure that you measure one of your tiles before you go and have the information on the back of the tile. If you are going to order field tile get 5 to 10 trim tile and the same amount of ridge tile. Now you are prepared for that tree limb. Store them anywhere. 2. Flawed Flashings- A flashing is a piece of metal that covers an area where the roof changes direction or where there is a protrusion like a pipe or a chimney. A flaw can come from a cut, rust, displacement, or an animal bite. You have 2 options: have your flashing replaced or use a polyurethane sealant like Vulkemâ 116. If you use the sealant remember MORE is not better. (Secret- If you put sand over the sealant it will last a lot longer.) 3. Alignment- All of the pieces of your roof fit together at top, sides and bottom. If for some reason this is not the case it must be corrected by removing the tile, discovering what the problem is, fixing the cause and replacing the tile. 4. Flawed Seaming or Pointing- Look at your roof. You will see some sections where the field tile is covered by a trim tile and there is cement in this transition. This cement work is called POINTING. If this cement is cracked or there are areas that are missing it must be repaired or replaced. You can fill the cracks with Vulkemâ116. If the piece is there you can use the Vulkemâ116 like glue and Press it back in place. You can get “Mortar Repair” from Home Depot or Lowes to fill in the open area or you can mix new mortar from bags and fill the gap. (Secret - Take a glass of water and smooth out the mortar work with your hand. Nothing looks worse than sloppy mortar work.) 5. Damming- This occurs on a roof when leaves and other items fall into the cracks that channel water flow. Valleys and roof-to-wall areas are the most common areas affected by damming. The fix is simple. Remove the tile clear the dam and reinstall the tile. (Hint: If you see leaves on your roof, you have damming. Get it checked out.) 6. Bad Design and Workmanship- If this is your problem you will need an expert. I suggest that you call your manufacturer and get their area representative to examine your roof. 7. Rusted Trim Nails- If the trim tiles are not tight or are falling off rust could be the problem. The tiles can be replaced with a 3¼" galvanized nail. 8. Animals- Mice, rats, bats, opossums, and squirrels love roofs. They never pay rent so you must block their entry points. NEVER USE FOAM. Foam holds moisture and causes dry rot and expensive wood repairs. Wire mesh and cement will work. (Secret: If you have lead flashings around your pipes, cover the top of these flashing with Vulkemâ1600 Squirrels love lead and for some reason hate polyurethane.) |
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Gleocapsa Algae
Pressure washing scalpes tile
surface
Gleocapsa Algae Returns
Paint Fails
Famous Maker, National Chain, sealer.
Contact Jeff Shaffer for color assistance at 1-888-292-1707
Mission Red with a Praline Flash