It’s an early start in Russell, Kansas, as the Ridgeline Roofing & Solar crew works to beat the summer heat and prep a commercial roof for a silicone coating. Tim Yates shares insights from the jobsite, highlighting the importance of proper drainage and surface prep—especially on TPO and tapered roofing systems.
Project Highlights:
🔹 Silicone Coating Over Tapered System
This roof is getting a high-performance silicone coating, ideal for extending the life of aging flat or low-slope roofs. Silicone forms a seamless, waterproof barrier and is especially effective for roofs with ponding issues—when installed over a properly drained surface.
🔹 Condensation Concerns from AC Units
Tim pointed out how much water the AC units were condensing overnight—enough to soak the surface in a matter of minutes. Before applying any coating, it’s critical to fully dry the roof to ensure proper adhesion and long-term durability.
🔹 Improper Drainage Due to Slope Errors
The roof has a tapered system, which is designed to direct water to specific drains. However, the installation wasn’t quite right—water is pooling in areas where it should be draining away, due to subtle slope misalignments. While the roof itself isn’t in terrible shape, poor water flow will lead to long-term damage if not corrected.
Why Silicone Coatings Work:
✅ Excellent for Flat & Low-Slope Roofs
✅ Withstands Ponding Water
✅ Highly Reflective – Reduces Energy Costs
✅ Cost-Effective Alternative to Roof Replacement
✅ Quick Installation = Minimal Disruption
Whether you’re in Russell or beyond, if your commercial roof has drainage problems or surface wear, a silicone coating might be the smartest way to protect your investment without a full tear-off.
Hear Tim’s Thoughts
Video Transcript: "Good morning. Tim Yates, Ridgeline Roofing and Solar. We're out here in Russell, Kansas today. If you don't know where Russell, Kansas is, it's because it's not very close to home. This morning, I've been trying to dry this roof off.
We're gonna put a silicone coating on it. It's got a tapered system, and these AC units are absolutely condensating to max. It's like a couple minutes worth of water that it's, you know, been collecting all night. So I heard this is my time to drive up so we can get to work and see the tape on this. It's got a slope, and then it drains off this way.
And this one was installed incorrectly, and all the water's on in here instead of the range of the drain over here. I don't think the installation is that bad on this jump. Just what this thing's for. We're dealing with because the tape roof is just a little bit off. Have a good day, everyone."