Could Roof Restoration Save Property Owners Money?

Replacing a damaged roof can be costly, but it may not always be necessary. Local contractors are learning how specialized coatings can restore existing roofs, reduce corrosion and even help keep buildings cooler. The hands-on training, hosted by Design Depot and led by Sherwin-Williams Uniflex experts, focuses on practical solutions for the leaks, moisture and intense heat that put Belizean roofs to the test. Here’s News Five’s Luis Mattu with the following story.

 

Luis Mattu, Reporting

Belize’s roofs take a beating from heavy rain, moisture and intense heat. Now, local contractors are learning how to tackle those problems without always tearing off and replacing the entire roof. Design Depot is hosting Uniflex University, a hands-on training led by Sherwin-Williams representatives from the United States. Contractors and dealers from across Belize are learning how to assess damaged roofs, select the right restoration system and apply protective coatings properly.

 

Carlos Granados, Brand Manager, Design Depot

“We’re very excited to host our Uniflex University here at Design Depot. Accompanying us is the team from Sherwin-Williams Uniflex from Miami, giving the training to our contractors and dealers across the country of Belize.”

 

The training responds to problems Granados says he sees firsthand while visiting projects across the country. Leaks are not always caused by rainfall alone. Moisture and the constant expansion and contraction of buildings can also damage roofing systems, making a proper assessment critical before repairs begin.

 

Carlos Granados

“The thing is that myself, I travel around the country visiting projects. I climb up on roofs and so many questions, so many issues, so many problems that we face in Belize with moisture, with the rain, it’s raining today, with buildings that have movement, expansion and contraction. So we have a lot of contractors in there right now asking questions, how can we fix those problems? So we’re here, we invited the team to come in to answer all the questions.”

 

One product demonstrated during the session was Uniflex Silicone 44, a rubberised coating designed to protect existing roof surfaces. The restoration system can be applied to pitched or flat roofs, offering an alternative to full replacement in suitable cases. The coatings are also highly reflective, which can reduce the amount of heat a building absorbs and potentially lower cooling costs.

 

Marisol Masferrer, International Sales Manager, Sherwin-Williams

“So what we do at Uniflex is that we provide restoration solutions with fluid applied coatings for roofs. So any type of a pitch roof or a flat roof. And what we’re doing today is that we’re teaching the value of a sustainable, cost-effective system that replaces restoring or replacing a roof. So with these products, they are highly reflective, they are sustainable, they lower the energy consumption within the building. And what we’re doing is we’re teaching best practice techniques, application processes, and technology solutions with our brands and the different technologies that we offer within the brands to the participants.”

 

But choosing a product is only one part of the job. Contractors must first identify the source of the damage, evaluate the roof’s condition and determine whether restoration is the right option. The hands-on demonstrations show participants how to apply the coatings efficiently, avoid wasting material and make informed decisions before work begins.

 

Jose Miranda, Technical Manager, Uniflex

“We invite them all in, we give them a training, we walk them through the whole process, how the products work, how they come together, and then at the end of that, basically what you see out here, what I’m doing now, I’m showing them a visual hands-on of where they can apply these products and how to do it efficiently without being wasteful and making the right decisions on the evaluation part before the application.”

 

Miranda says restoration coatings can help preserve concrete and metal roofs, limit corrosion and keep buildings cooler. They are not maintenance-free, however. Roofs must still be cleaned, inspected and touched up to keep the system working properly.

 

Jose Miranda

“So again, we just want to bring light that there’s other things out there opportunity-wise as far as different types of roof assemblies that can be utilized. Instead of just metal or just straight concrete, this is a way to preserve those roofs that are actually there. Kind of helps prevent from corrosion. Again, keeps cooler the efficiency of the buildings and the residential homes and lowers the cooling cost, reflectivity. And all you have to do is basically keep it clean, touch it up, maintain it.”

 

For Belizean contractors, the training adds another option to their toolkit and gives them specialized guidance they can use on projects across the country. Luis Mattu for News Five.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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