Elastomeric roof coating is produced by numerous paint and roofing products manufacturers, but the best-known brand is KOOL SEAL. It’s the consistency of Elmer’s Glue in the pail and is applied with a thick-nap roller and throw-away brush. When dry, the elastomeric coating forms a rubber-like protective white skin over the roof. It also has a high reflectance factor that reduces the temperature of the roof during the summer.

   You should first remove any loose dirt and debris from the roof surface and clean it with a mild detergent or TSP solution. Then let it dry before beginning the coating process. 

   Most manufacturers of elastomeric roof coating also offer a patching cement (with a paste consistency) for repairing any small cracks in the roof—which is the next step after cleaning the surface. A coat of patch cement is applied to each problem area, then a 4-inch wide strip of reinforcing mesh is pressed into the wet patch cement, and finally a second coat of the patch cement is brushed over the mesh to encase it.

   After the patch areas dry, apply the coating. Because it takes several hours of warm weather for the material to harden, you should not apply it on a day when the temperature is below 60º F or rain is expected, and do not apply it so late in the afternoon that it doesn’t have a few hours to dry before dark.

   Coverage is about 100 sq. ft. per gallon, with two coats recommended. So, figure on needing about a gallon for every 50 square feet of roof. Depending on the brand you choose, expect to pay between $100 and $150 per 5-gallon bucket. You will need to repeat the coating every five years to maintain its effectiveness. 

    Also, see our blog post Is a metal roof for a mobile home approved for HUD Wind Zone 3? 

Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES:

• Where can I file a complaint if I have problems with my new or used manufactured/mobile home in Florida?

• What are the most common defects in mobile/manufactured home foundation piers?

• How do I determine the age of a very old mobile home?

• What is a "HUD label verification letter" for a mobile/manufactured home?  

• When did a ground cover vapor barrier (plastic sheet) become required under a mobile/manufactured home? 

• Is it safe to go under a mobile home? 

• Are older mobile homes unsafe? 

• What do I need to know about buying a foreclosed mobile home? 

• Does it make sense to buy an older mobile home and remodel it? 

• Where do I find the vehicle identification number (VIN) on a mobile home? 

• How do I find out how old a mobile home is and who manufactured it?

• What is the right price for a used mobile home?

• How energy efficient is a mobile home?

• When were the first double-wide mobile homes manufactured?

• How do I upgrade my old (pre-1976) mobile home to meet HUD standards?

• What size air conditioner is right for my mobile home? 

• Can you move an older mobile home in Florida? 

• What does the HUD tag look like and where do I find it on a mobile home? 

• Can you put a zone 1 mobile home in Florida?

• How can I remove water under my mobile home?

• What's the differences between a trailer, a mobile home, a manufactured home, and a modular home? 

• What is a D-sticker mobile home? 

• What are the tie-down requirements for a mobile home?

• How fireproof is a mobile home?  

• Can I install a mobile home myself?

• What is a Park Model mobile home?  

• Does an addition to a mobile home have to comply with the HUD Code? 

• What walls can I remove in a mobile home?

• What can I do to prevent dampness and mold in my mobile home? 

• How can I tell if a mobile home is well constructed?

• How can I tell the difference between a manufactured home and a modular home?

       Visit our MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES  page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.