Winter is almost here, and for many of us the cold weather has arrived and looks like it’s here to stay. If your roof is not yet covered with a blanket of snow, now is the perfect time to seal up any areas where leaks may be present. Keeping moisture out of your home or RV will prevent unwanted damage, mold, and costly repairs.
One of the most effective ways to make these repairs is with a high-quality waterproofing tape.
There are many sealant tapes to choose from if you are looking for a simple solution to seal a hole, seam, or tear in your single-ply roof before the winter season becomes ghastly. So, the question is, how do you choose the best tape for your needs? Most are competitively priced, but is the quality of each tape comparable to the others?
All Sealant Tapes Are Not Created Equal
When comparing tapes, some of the most overlooked physical attributes are the thickness of the backing and the thickness of the adhesive. The backing (the part of the tape exposed to the elements after installation) protects the sealant adhesive from damage and the environment. UV (ultraviolet) rays and weather can cause the backing to slowly break down and fail in some tapes. This, in turn, causes the adhesive to degrade quickly. These failures are usually not detected until water leakage has already done damage, resulting in costly repairs.
Thicker Is Better!
Thicker backings take much longer to yield to the effects of the sun, rain, snow, wind, ice, and dirt. A thicker backing provides superior protection for long-term performance. Compare 4EvaSeal Multi-Purpose Tape to other competitive brands. 4EvaSeal tapes are engineered to outlast tapes with thinner backing materials.
The adhesive thickness also plays an important role in the performance of the tape. When pressing, or rolling, the tape into the surface, the adhesive is forced into tiny valleys, holes, and irregularities. Tapes with small amounts of adhesive will struggle to fill these irregularities, allowing pathways for water and air to fill the voids.
4EvaSeal tapes are designed to form permanent seals against the elements. Properly installed, these materials can perform as intended for the life of the roof system. 4EvaSeal bonds aggressively and stays bonded when correctly applied.
Tips for Cold Weather Installations
Use a hair dryer or heat gun to warm the surface prior to applying the tape. Once installed, use the same heat source to warm the tape, and at the same time press the tape firmly to the surface by using a roller. Apply moderate force to the roller to assure the tape has made full contact with the surface. Proper technique will result in a small amount of adhesive bleeding out (oozing) from the edges.
Want to try 4EvaSeal yourself? Request a free sample.