| Roofing:
Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of some of the most popular
roofing questions asked of us. If you have additional questions
after reading this, please direct them to: info@karnakcorp.com, use our online form to request more information on a particular
product, or see one of our other FAQ sections in related links.
Q:
Does Karnak offer Warranties or Guarantees on Roofing products?
A: YES! Please contact Karnak Corporation for Warranty information.
Q:
Does Karnak offer an approved roofers program?
A: Karnak realizes that from time to time the need arises
for Karnak materials to be applied by an "approved applicator".
Karnak does recognize the ability of applicators that install Karnak
products if they have been doing such installations for at least
three (3) years. This is with the understanding that, the Karnak
materials are installed in accordance with Karnak's specifications.
Q: Where
can I obtain Karnak products?
A: Karnak products are available through a variety of distributors
in the U.S. and overseas. Please contact Karnak for your nearest distributor: Phone
1-800-526-4236, 1-732-388-0300, Fax 1-732-388-9422 or email Karnak
info@karnakcorp.com.
Q: What
is the dry or cure time for Karnak products?
A: The dry or cure time for Karnak products depends on the
specific product used and the outside ambient temperature. For the
most part, Karnak brush or spray grade coatings will dry in 24 hours.
Karnak flashing cements and mastics, will "skin" over in 24 hours,
but take longer to fully dry because they are applied at a heavier
rate than spray or brush grade coatings.
Q:
Can I apply Karnak coatings or cements
if rain is imminent?
A: Karnak products should not be applied if rain is imminent
within 24 hours. The exception to this is Karnak's #155,
#155AF Amphikote and #19 Ultra Rubberized Flashing
Cement, these products are designed to be used in either
wet or dry conditions, thereby making them ideal for use as emergency
repair situations.
Q:
How soon after it rains can Karnak products
be applied?
A: 24 to 48 hours, if surface is fully dry.
Q: How do I clean up a spilled
Karnak product?
A: Consult MSDS on the specific product.
Q: Why
should I use an aluminum coating to coat my roof?
A: Aluminum coatings can form an invaluable part of a smooth
surface built-up roof (BUR), smooth or mineral surface modified
roofs (SBS) or torch-down (APP) roofing systems. Aluminum coatings
form a highly reflective surface that reduces roof surface temperatures
(approximately 15 to 20(F), which can equate in lower internal temperatures.
Aluminum coatings also protect the underlying membrane (BUR, SBS,
or APP) from UV degradation, thereby helping prolong its life.
In brief, Aluminum coatings:
- Extend the life of the roof system.
- Reduce roof surface temperatures.
- Reduce thermal shock and stress to the roof.
- Make leaks easier to identify.
- Help the environment by reflecting heat and
reducing temperature.
- Provide fire protection (See UL Class A Fire
Ratings)
Q: What
is the life expectancy of Karnak's Aluminum roof coatings?
A: Normally, aluminum roof coatings have a service life of
between 3 to 7 years, depending on the surface coated and other
factors.
Q: What
factors can affect the reflectivity and life expectancy of aluminum
coatings?
A: Factors that affect reflectivity and life expectancy of
aluminum coatings are:
- Improper Drainage: Improper drainage
can cause water to accumulate on the roof (Ponding) and may lead
to delamination of the aluminum coating.
- Surface Preparation: Poor or improper
preparation of the substrate surface may still leave contaminates
behind, which can affect the adhesion of the aluminum coating
to the surface.
- Material Application: Inadequate coverage
rates or over working the aluminum coating can result in the aluminum
coating improperly leafing out and failing prematurely. Also,
multi-directional rolling or brushing can lead to poor aesthetics
of the dried aluminum coating.
- Traffic: Heavy roof surface traffic can
shorten the life expectancy of the aluminum coating.
- Weather Severity: depending on the geographical
location of the building, weather conditions, such as, freeze
/ thaw and constant rain can affect the aluminum coating.
- Surface Contamination: Surface contaminates
which can accumulate on the roof surface may consist of broad
a range of pollutants. They include, but are not limited to dust,
dirt, oils, animal fats, greases, pollen, acids, alkalis, solvents
and other chemicals either as fine particles or liquids.
- Improper Mixing: Aluminum pigment tends
to settle out during storage and shipment. Mixing should be used
to ensure that all the aluminum pigment is evenly dispersed. If
dispersion is not complete, there may be streaking during application.
Aluminum pigment left in the bottom of the pail will result in
the aluminum coating not being as reflective as desired. Product
should be applied immediately after mixing or additional mixing
will be required.
- Ponding Water: Ponding water is the accumulation
of water that remains on the roof surface 24 to 48 hours or longer.
Q: What
should I use to mix Karnak's aluminum coatings?
A: Mechanical mixer, such as a 1/2" drill with a double bladed
- paddle mixer or similar device can be used: (i.e.: Jiffy Mixer).
Q: How
do I obtain a UL fire Rating for my roof?
A: If the roof system you have is classified with Karnak,
coating it according to U.L.'s specification's for Karnak
listed products, will give the roof a UL Class A Rating. One common
misconception is that when any roof is coated with a UL labeled
material, the roof automatically achieves a UL fire rating. This
is not true. In order to achieve a UL fire rating, the entire roof
assembly must be tested with Underwriters Labs. Please consult the
UL roofing and material system directory (Click Here for Karnak
UL Listing).
Q: Is
there a listing of Karnak UL and FM rated products and systems?
A: Yes!
- UL Listings Guide
- FM Listings Guide
Q:
Can Karnak products be thinned and if so,
with what type of thinner?
A: Karnak products should not be altered or thinned. Any
attempts at thinning the products can alter their designed physical
properties, thereby resulting in possible product failure and/or
shorten longevity of the cured material. Thinning of solvent base
products is in direct violation of V.O.C. (Volatile Organic Compound)
laws and regulations.
Q: How soon can
I coat a installed APP Modified Bitumen roof membrane?
A: Karnak recommends coating new modified bitumen (APP) membranes
as soon as possible after the membrane has been installed. If more
than 30 days, follow RCMA/ARMA Field Surface Evaluation Guidelines.
Q: What effect
does ponded water have on aluminum coatings?
A: Aluminum coatings do not perform well on roofs that pond
water. Dirt can accumulate in depressions and inhibit the reflectance
of the coating. If an aluminum coating is under water for a prolonged
period of time, the water may work its way under the coating causing
it to lift and peel up. Positive drainage is necessary to flush
away any accumulation of surface dirt from the roof and keep the
reflective properties of the aluminum coating intact.
Q: How
soon can I coat a newly installed built-up roof with an aluminum
roof coating?
A: New asphalt built-up roof (BUR) surfaces, should weather
a minimum of 90 to 180 days, prior to coating with a Karnak's aluminum
roof coating's (i.e.: #27AF, #28AF, #97, #97AF, #169AF and
#298 Alumin-r).
Q: Can
new built-up roofing (BUR) systems be coated with aluminum coatings
sooner than the recommended 90 to 180 days weathering period?
A: If an aluminum surface coating must be applied sooner
to a new built-up roof, an emulsion (water base) coating should
be used instead of an asphalt flood coat. An emulsion coating, such
as Karnak's #220AF Emulsion Coating, will provide
a firm base on which to apply the Karnak aluminum coating 5 to 10
days after the emulsion has cured.
Q: Should
primers be used with aluminum coatings?
A: Cutback asphalt primers can act as an asphalt glaze coating
and bleed through the aluminum coating unless the primer is allowed
to weather 90 to 180 days.
Don't see your question here? Try one of our
other FAQ sections:
You can also email your question to info@karnakcorp.com, or use our online form to request more information on a particular
product. |
