b'the applied system. It can also lead to premature failure due to abelow it, causing it to split.Environmental Conditions reduction in the coatings tensile strength inAmine Blushthose areas.Sometimes coatings are best applied inFish Eyes If an epoxy base coating or primer has been very hot weather, and other coatings in moreutilized, especially amine-cured epoxies, one temperate conditions. A building owner shouldFish eyes are very small blisters on theshould monitor for potential amine blush. consult with the coating manufacturer to makesurface of the coating that have not popped.Amine blush happens when the ambient sure that ambient conditions are taken intoThese small blisters have a small recessed areatemperature drops after application and the account. Projects close to the ocean have specialaround the outside with a bubble in the middle.carbon dioxide in the air along with any considerations due to salt contamination andThe tops of the blisters are often so thin thatmoisture that is present combines with the pop-up thunderstorms. Also, surroundingthey appear transparent, and a small void toamine curing agent and forms a carbamate businesses or manufacturing operations mightthe substrate may occur below it. Fish eyeson the surface of the coating. This is a tacky, expel contaminants onto the project. are almost always the result of contaminants,waxy substance that will cause other coatings Lack of Maintenance or more rarely, manufacturing defects. Theseto disbond from its surface. It can be removed contaminants can be introduced in such awith detergent and water using a scrub brush or Coatings are barriers to the elements, andlarge number of ways that it can be difficult toabrasive pad. Solvents like acetone or mineral they eventually degrade in effectiveness. Adiagnose. spirits will not remove it.proactive approach to inspections can solve problems while they are small. Waiting until there is a leak results in more costly repairs. When the life of a coating nears its end, plans should be made to renew it. This keeps costs down, and prevents the coating from failure. Many property owners will protect their roofing investment by formalizing an ongoing roof maintenance and inspection program and addressing all issues before they become big issues.Foot TrafficMany facilities require foot traffic on the roof. For example, HVAC units must be maintained, pipes must be inspected, and satellite dishes adjusted. With each visit to thePhoto of GAFs United roof there is potential for damage, whetherCoatings Roof Mate acrylic it is a heavy tool that is dropped or just thecoating being applied by slow wear of foot traffic in the same area.sprayer. Photo courtesy of GAF.Prevent unnecessary roof damage by requiring maintenance personnel to wear shoes that will not damage the roof and use protective pads onBlisters Delaminationwhich to place their tools and equipment.Potential Issues with Installed Roof Coatings Blistering is distinctive from fisheyes in thatWhen a roof coating delaminates, its adhesive During the application of a roof coating,blisters are much larger and usually thicker ator cohesive properties are lost. This normally problems can occur. If there are problems withthe top. The most common cause of blisters ishappens when water penetrates the film, a roof coating application, it is prudent to workthe application of coatings over a wet substrate.either because of a puncture or tear, or from with the coating manufacturer to determineBlisters can form immediately, or they maywater penetration at ponding locations. An proper corrective measures. The following is aform during warmer weather when the trappedincrease in water generally results in continued brief discussion of potential problems. moisture heats up and water vapor pressuredelamination. Regular inspections can prevent exerts force on the underside of the coating. a progressive failure. Correcting ponding Craters Pinholes conditions will help prevent delamination. Cratering is when a coating has small bowlSome roof coatings, however, are free from shaped irregularities in the surface. Craters arePinholes are tiny holes that perforate andelamination issues due to their particular resin often small, about the diameter of a pencil orentire layer of coating. When air or solvent istechnology.less. The coating is very thin at the bottom oftrapped and then escapes, a pinhole may beIn summary, roof coatings can be extremely the bowl shape, and may be slightly thickercreated. This phenomenon can develop when airbeneficial to the service life of a roof and to the around the rim of the crater. is mixed into the product before application orenergy efficiency of the building it protects. if the substrate being coated is textured and airFollowing proper application means and Craters are created when blistering occurspockets are formed under the film. Surfactantsmethods, performing regular maintenance, early in the application of the coating, and asin the coating help with this by allowing air toand correcting problems are paramount to a the coating cures, the blister pops, leaving aescape quickly before the film cures. Pinholessuccessful roof coating application.crater in the surface. In addition, crateringare most commonly an issue with thin coatings, can be the result of rain on a coating thatbut can still occur in thicker products. Two or is freshly applied, where the droplets pushmore coats of the product will take care of mostBuilding Enclosure is the only educational aside the uncured coating. When the waterrisks associated with pinholes. resource that deals with the technical aspects of evaporates, a crater is left behind. Cratering isMud Cracking building enclosure design. BE covers commercial, detrimental to a coating because the base of theMud cracking is the result of applying amultifamily, industrial and institutional crater is very thin, which can allow UV light tocoating too thick. The surface of the film curesapplications both above and below grade. Visit pass and degrade the roof that is being coated.and shrinks at a faster rate than the coatingBuildingEnclosureOnline.com to learn more. www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer 25'