Guides
Straight answers about protecting exterior surfaces
What a water repellent does, what it does not, and when it is the wrong answer. Written for the questions people actually ask before they spend anything. Every claim is sourced, and where we have no number to give we say so rather than invent one.
Is nano protection for a roof worth it?
Yes, and the best moment is earlier than most people think.
Read →Roof moss and algae: what to do, and in what order
Clean first, protect second. Never the other way around.
Read →Why concrete scales with de-icing salt
Salt does not eat concrete. It makes it freeze more often.
Read →When to apply a water repellent: temperature, weather and season
Clean dry surface, mild weather, no frost afterwards.
Read →Why asphalt shingles age
UV, water and thermal cycling. In Quebec, all three at once.
Read →How to tell if your water repellent still works
Pour water on it. If it beads, it is still working.
Read →Roof rejuvenation: what it means, and what it does not
Rejuvenating and protecting are two different goals.
Read →Protecting exterior wood: deck, fence and siding
Wood greys through photodegradation, not dirt.
Read →Treat or replace your roof: how to decide
The question is not price. It is the condition of the shingle.
Read →Roof maintenance in Quebec: what to do and when
Two inspections a year. Everything else follows.
Read →Want the chemistry instead?
The science page carries the full reference list: wetting physics, vapour permeability, UV durability and the standards that measure each one.