July 2024

The Truth About Sealing Asphalt Shingles

What is Needed for Sealing an Asphalt Shingle Roof?

There has been a lot of buzz lately about miracle roof rejuvenation products and sealing treatments for asphalt shingle roofs on homes and businesses. With the biggest company saying “Sign up for an info session, buy into this… purple… franchise and buy a territory” and you could do that, but it would be a waste of your money.

Is Sealing Asphalt Shingles Possible?

Short answer is yes 100% its possible, and I will even tell you how to do it and which products you’ll need down below.

Will Sealing Shingles Extend the Roof’s Life?

That’s a more complicated question, which gets a hesitant yes. If the roofs structure is damaged, any of the actual shingles are cracked or torn, or the sheathing Tyvek layer below is torn then 0% chance any sealer or rejuvenation product will work. If the roof has just lost its surface oils (asphalt is just the solids from crude oil) and the silica granules have begun to be exposed, then yes sealer would help extend the functional life of those shingles. With other added benefits like return of colour depth of the roof, and less absorption of water weight meaning the structure is taking less weight stress every time it rains.

How Does Sealing a Shingle Work?

The sealer we recommend for sealing asphalt shingles, Stain-Proof Waterborne Premium Sealer, as well as the “Purple” nano company we can’t name, work in the same way. They are water based emulsion style sealers, ours is from a family of stone sealers, but both contain nano silica for filling in the pores with a water resistant ceramic layer as well as emulsified flourocarbon particles (a plastic / oil resin which rejuvenates the oil, gives a darkening effect to the shingle, and adds extra non stick properties to the surface) We recommend using Stain-Proof Waterborne Premium Sealer, its an extremely long lasting, high dissolved solids, easy to use and affordable option for both professional installation or DIY use.

Why Should a Shingle Be Sealed?

Shingles should be sealed after their first couple washes, so a new roof would not absorb any sealer and there is little to no point, but a roof which is starting to show its granule layer will benefit from sealing immensely. Some of the reasons a roof with asphalt shingles would benefit from sealing with Stain-Proof Waterborne Premium are:

1. Increased life span

2. Colour looks new again increasing curb appeal and perceived property value

3. Less weight cycles on the roofs frame structure as the shingles no longer absorb water and act as sponges

4. Increased flexibility with the flourocarbon in the emulsion bulking the asphalt back up with oils

5. Less frequent / easier cleaning since the shingles have oil and dirt non stick protection from Stain-Proofs world class nano technologies

Why Should I Choose Stain-Proof Products over “Purple Nano” Products

Stain-Proof and it’s Canadian retailer StoneSealer Canada do not require any type of franchising, licensing, territories, or other scams which force a contractor to “buy” an area. If you can sell it, you can apply it, the only limitations are the ones you put on yourself.

Another reason is contractors costs, the world is expensive enough as it is you don’t need to be working for peanuts as well. “Purple nano” from their information sells to contractors at a cost of $1.70 CAD per square foot, our contractors pay about 40 Cents CAD per square foot for a sealer made in the same factory to the same specification. Both are made in North America, both have the same ingredients and solids count, one is a multi level marketing sales scheme. The proof is in the pudding, you can buy Stain-Proof wherever you like, you can only buy “purple nano” from them and only after you drop $50k plus on buying a sales region. No thanks.

How Does Someone Seal a Asphalt Shingle Roof?

That's the surprisingly easy part. First you'll need to get the roof fully clean and free of moss, our recommended method is using OxyShock, you can read about it by clicking here.

Roof Sealing Steps:

1. Clean and brush all moss if needed

2. Allow to be fully dry, typically 24 hours in the summer (Pick a day with no rain 24 hours before or 24 hours after)

3. Using an electric backpack sprayer or pump up sprayer, gently coat the whole roof with Stain-Proof Waterborne Premium Sealer until it is evenly white but not running down the roof. You don't need much, you're better to under apply and put a second mist coat if any parts look splotchy when dry, over applying just drives up your cost.

How Much Sealer Should Go On Shingles Video Click Here

4. Let it dry, it will all dry to an invisible but slightly darker finish. Anywhere that isn't clear and dry after 25 mins should be wiped up. if drying is uneven and some areas are darker, give those lighter sections a quick mist coat to blend.

5. The following Spring, apply a coat of OxyShock mixed at 50/50 to prevent new moss growth if desired.