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Impy's Waterproofing School

Free, plain-English guides so you can protect your property with confidence — and know exactly what you're buying and why.

🔎 5 signs your roof needs waterproofing

Catching these early is far cheaper than repairing water damage later:

  • Water stains on ceilings or walls — brown rings or patches that reappear after rain.
  • Ponding water that sits on a flat roof more than 48 hours after rain stops.
  • Hairline cracks or crazing across concrete — capillary paths for water.
  • Musty smells or mould in top-floor rooms, a sign of ongoing moisture.
  • Rising A/C bills — a dark, sun-soaked roof pushes heat straight into the building.

Spot one or more? A quick inspection tells you whether a coating will solve it — usually yes.

❄️ Cool roofs & lower bills

A reflective ("cool") roof bounces sunlight instead of absorbing it. A bright silicone finish can dramatically lower roof-surface temperature versus bare, dark concrete.

  • Cooler interiors and less heat radiating down through the slab.
  • Lower HVAC load, which can reduce cooling costs.
  • Less thermal stress on the roof, extending its life.

It's protection and energy savings in one coat — especially valuable in Jamaica's climate.

🧴 DIY vs. professional application

Small repairs can be a confident DIY job; whole-roof systems are best left to a crew. Either way, prep is everything:

  • Clean first — pressure or soft wash so the coating bonds to a sound surface.
  • Repair & reinforce — fill cracks and embed Stitch Bond fabric at seams and details.
  • Prime if needed — some substrates need a primer for adhesion.
  • Coverage matters — apply the right thickness (usually two coats) for the warranty to hold.

Not sure where your job falls? Send Impy a photo and we'll tell you honestly whether it's DIY or a call-out.

Impy the inspector
Impy's tip of the week

"Before the first big rain, clear your drains and check flashings. Ten minutes of prep now saves a ceiling repair later — and if you spot a crack, a gallon of silicone and some Stitch Bond fabric usually does the trick."

Coatings compared

Silicone vs Urethane vs Acrylic vs Elastomeric

Four common roof coatings — what each is, and where it shines.

100% Silicone

Impy's pick
Best for flat / low-slope & ponding

A moisture-cure silicone membrane — the premium system for Caribbean sun and standing water.

Pros
Shrugs off ponding water
UV-stable, won't chalk
Highly reflective (cool roof)
Long life, easy silicone recoats
Cons
Higher upfront cost
Slippery when wet; holds dirt
Only silicone bonds to it later

Urethane

Best for decks & foot traffic

A tough polyurethane coating built to take impact and abrasion — often a base coat with an aliphatic topcoat.

Pros
Excellent impact & abrasion resistance
Handles foot traffic and walkways
Strong adhesion, tough film
Cons
Fussier, moisture-sensitive cure
Aromatic type yellows without a topcoat
Higher odour/VOC; pricier to apply

Acrylic

Best for sloped roofs / budget

A water-based, economical reflective coating — a solid value on roofs that drain quickly.

Pros
Economical, easy water-based application
Good reflectivity, low odour
Recoats simply
Cons
Re-emulsifies under ponding water
Thins and erodes over time
Not for flat, standing-water roofs

Elastomeric

Best for cracking / moving substrates

A thick, stretchy rubberised membrane that bridges hairline cracks and thermal movement.

Pros
High elongation bridges cracks
Reflective, decent value
Flexes with the roof
Cons
Many struggle with prolonged ponding
Can trap moisture if misapplied
Recoats sooner than silicone
Impy's bottom line: for Jamaica's flat concrete roofs with heavy rain and sun, 100% silicone wins on lifetime cost. Choose urethane for decks and traffic, acrylic for budget sloped roofs, and elastomeric where the substrate cracks and moves.
Know the difference

100% Silicone vs Siliconizer

They sound alike, but they're different chemistries. 100% Silicone is pure, moisture-cure silicone; Siliconizer is an acrylic elastomeric modified with silicone — a hybrid.

100% Silicone

Pure silicone

A moisture-cure silicone membrane that bonds chemically to the roof and cures with humidity.

Unbeatable ponding-water resistance
UV-stable — won't chalk or break down
Excellent crack bridging & flexibility
Longest life; single-product recoats
Higher upfront cost
Holds dirt; only silicone re-bonds later

Siliconizer

Silicone-modified acrylic

A water-based styrene-acrylic elastomeric, silicone-modified, with very high stretch (~575% elongation).

Superb crack bridging & flexibility
Ultra-white, highly reflective
Easy water-based application; more economical
Less tolerant of prolonged ponding
Needs a dry cure window; recoats sooner
At a glance
100% Silicone
Siliconizer
Base
Pure silicone
Acrylic + silicone
Ponding water
Excellent
Fair — drains best
Crack bridging
Excellent
Excellent (~575%)
UV / chalking
Best
Good
Cost
Higher
More economical
The key difference: 100% silicone is pure and cures with moisture, so it thrives on flat roofs and standing water. Siliconizer is an acrylic stretched with silicone — brilliant at bridging cracks and very reflective, best on roofs that drain and where budget matters.

Have a question Impy hasn't answered?

Message us a photo of your roof and we'll point you the right way.

FAQ

Common questions

Quick answers about silicone coatings, coverage and pickup.

What is 100% silicone roof coating?

A seamless, high-solids silicone membrane applied over concrete or existing roofs. It stays permanently flexible, resists ponding (standing) water, and reflects heat. Unlike acrylics, it does not re-emulsify or wash off under standing water.

How is 100% silicone different from a "siliconizer"?

100% silicone is pure silicone resin. A siliconizer (silicone-modified acrylic) is mostly acrylic with a little silicone added — cheaper, but with lower ponding-water and UV resistance and a shorter service life.

Can silicone be applied over my existing roof?

Yes. Silicone restores most existing roofs — concrete, metal, or membrane — after proper cleaning and priming, avoiding a costly tear-off.

How much coating do I need?

As a rule of thumb, one 5-gallon unit covers about 200–240 sq ft in two coats. Send your roof size on WhatsApp and we'll estimate it for you.

Do you deliver, or is it pickup only?

Pickup is available in Kingston at 105k Red Hills Road and at Shop #10, ShansWay & Boutique. Contact us to confirm delivery options for your area.

What areas do you serve?

Kingston and across Jamaica.