HYDRO-SHEEN™ Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Glazing process?
2. What is Gleocapsa?
3. What should I know about “Pressure Washing” my tile roof?
4. How and why would I wash a tile roof that has been glazed with Hydro-Sheen™?
5. Can I paint my roof with a high quality acrylic paint?
6. Can I use a concrete sealer on my tile roof?
7. What is the difference in application between painting, sealing, and Glazing?
8. What is a warranty failure with Hydro-Sheen™ and how does it occur?
9. How long will Hydro-Sheen™ last and what is your maintenance obligation?
10. Can I change the color(s) of my tile roof?
11. How do I pick a perfect color?
12. What are flash colors?
13. The 8 reasons a tile roof leaks
1.What is the Glazing process?
The first step is to wash the mold, mildew, and algae from your roof. In order to do this we apply a coat of RTC 5000 Roof Tile Cleaner to the roof surface. RTC 5000 Roof Tile Cleaner is a GREEN cleaning solution specifically designed by Alberson's Tile Roof Glaze, Inc. to clean concrete tile roofs. Will NOT harm grass, plants, or shrubbery.
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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.
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3.What should I know about “Pressure Washing” my tile roof?
The only positive that comes with pressure washing or cleaning your tile roof is that temporally it looks clean. Let me explain.
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 concrete 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
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4.How and why would I wash a tile roof that has been glazed with Hydro-Sheen™?
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. A solution of RTC 5000 Roof Tile Cleaner can be applied in order to remove the residue.
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5.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.
ALL paints and sealers are made from resins. There are hundreds of resins that contain properties that are desired in wall paint. Resins make up the manufacture’s product recipe. The best resin package makes the best product. Paint is made for walls and not the concrete tiles used to roof your building or home.
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6.Can I use a concrete sealer on my tile roof?
Many people have colored their tile roof with concrete sealers. All concrete sealers are not created equal. In choosing a concrete sealer we suggest a concrete sealer specifically designed for tile roofs.
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7.What is the difference in application between painting and Glazing.
Paint is not designed for 100% exposure (i.e. your roof). It is designed primarily for vertical surfaces. Paint manufacturers offer warranties on their products. These warranties may be voided when applied to roof tiles. Hydro-Sheen Tile Roof Glaze is specifically designed to be applied to concrete and clay roof tiles. Hydro-Sheen Tile Roof Glaze is NOT a paint, it is a roof tile sealer.
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8.What is a warranty failure with Hydro-Sheen™ and how does it occur?
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.
Because we understand what causes a failure, our focus on washing and preparation is very keen.
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9.How long will Hydro-Sheen™ last and what is your maintenance obligation?
We suggest that our clients have Alberson's 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.
If our client chooses to not do the maintenance wash and maintenance coat of Hydro-Sheen™ the surface of the tile will weather but the product will continue.
10.Can I change the color(s) of my tile roof?
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).
Alberson's most exciting line of colors features, “The Clay Look“. Instead of having your roof match the colors of the concrete tile industry, we have matched the most expensive clay tile roof colors in the world. These rich colors give you the look of clay without the cost of clay. "The Clay Look" is our most popular coloration trend in the concrete tile glazing industry.
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11.How do I pick a perfect color?
The first step in your project will be a color sample tile from Alberson's. 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..
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.
You will always be safe if you go with the traditional tile colors, Terra Cotta and Mission Red. The only question becomes the color shading.
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.
Alberson's will make any color(s) that you desire. Use a color wheel, the color of your pavers.
Accessorize your tile color. This is done by adding a second or third color to the tile. This accent color is called a flash.
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.
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12. What are flash colors?
A flash color is a second and sometimes third color that is applied to color glazed roof tiles. It gives your tile roof a dimensional look, with depth and interest.
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13. The 8 reasons a tile roof leaks:
Please Note: The following information was obtained by licensed roofing contractors. Should you observe any of the following conditions, please contact a certified roofing contractor.
1. A Broken Tile- Replace the tile.
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.
3. Alignment- All of the pieces of your roof fit together at top, sides and bottom.
4. Flawed Seaming or Pointing- You will see some sections where the field tile is covered by a trim tile and there is concrete in this transition. This concrete work is called POINTING. If this concrete is cracked or there are areas that are missing it must be repaired or replaced.
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.
6. Bad Design and Workmanship
7. Rusted Trim Nails
8. Animals- Mice, rats, bats, opossums, and squirrels love roofs. They never pay rent so you must block their entry points.
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