Maintenance
What is Sealant?
Roofing Glossary · Maintenance
Definition
A flexible, adhesive compound — typically polyurethane, silicone, or asphalt-based — applied to seal joints, transitions, and penetrations in a roofing system. Roofing sealant is used around pipe boots, flashing edges, nail heads, and small cracks. Sealants degrade with UV exposure over time and typically require reapplication every 5-10 years. They are a complement to, not a replacement for, proper mechanical flashing.
Related Roofing Terms
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CaulkingThe application of a flexible sealant compound to fill gaps, cracks, and joints in roofing and flash...
→FlashingThin strips of impervious metal — typically galvanized steel, aluminum, or lead — installed at joint...
→Pipe BootA prefabricated rubber or metal flashing collar that seals around plumbing vent pipes where they pen...
→PatchingA localized repair to a section of roofing to address damage from a specific event — replacing a few...
More Maintenance Terms
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