A Bit About Roof Treatments Like Roof Maxx

A Bit About Roof Treatments Like Roof Maxx: What You Need to Know Before You Spray

As your roof ages, it’s natural to look for cost-effective ways to extend its life. Products like Roof Maxx, a spray-on treatment designed to rejuvenate asphalt shingles, have gained popularity for promising to restore flexibility and add years to a roof’s lifespan. While this may sound like a smart investment, it’s important to understand the limitations of such treatments—especially when dealing with more serious roofing issues like leaks or structural damage.

Why Roof Treatments Aren’t a Cure-All

Roof spray treatments can have a place in the roofing world, and we’ll get to that a little later in this article, but before you schedule a spray treatment to address any potential or existing issues in your roofing, consider the following:

• Inconsistent Quality: Roof Maxx and similar services often use a business model similar to having independent contractors who are essentially authorized “dealers”. This means the quality of application and customer service can vary widely depending on who performs the job.
• Mixed BBB Ratings: The Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings for Roof Maxx vary by location, with some branches facing unresolved customer complaints.
• No Leak Repairs: These treatments do not address or repair existing leaks, flashing issues, or structural damage. If your roof is already compromised, a spray won’t stop water from getting in.
• Doesn’t Address Rot or Decay: If your shingles or roof decking are rotting, broken, or cracked, then applying a rejuvenating spray won’t stop the deterioration. The root cause—moisture, poor ventilation, or age—needs to be resolved first.
• Limited Age Range: Products like Roof Maxx are most effective on roofs between 5 and 10 years old. Older roofs or those with significant wear may not benefit much, if at all.
• Warranty Limitations: The treatment is intended to guarantee shingle flexibility, but not protection from leaks, mold, or other common roofing problems.
• Not a Structural Solution: If your roof has sagging, damaged decking, or poor installation, a spray treatment won’t fix those issues.
• Warranty Conflicts: Applying a third-party treatment may void your existing roof warranty. Always check with your manufacturer before proceeding.
• Shingle-Only Application: Products like Roof Maxx are designed for asphalt shingles only. It’s not suitable for slate, metal, tile, or other roofing materials.
• Potentially Inexperienced Contractors: Companies like Roof Maxx might not require any previous roofing experience to become a dealer for their product. This means important issues in the roof or home may be missed before they proceed to sell you on a spray solution while the roof actually needs repairs, or in some cases, full replacement.

Bang-f0r-Buck or just Bucks?

These solutions are typically tempting due to their cost being lower than that of a full roof replacement. While costs can vary, some online checking can reveal the range of spray treatments anywhere from $15oo to over $5000. However, full roof replacements are not always necessary to deal with roofing issues, especially if a valid warranty is still in place.

The cost of repairing or replacing problematic shingles may even be lower than such treatments, and keep in mind, when addressed by professionals like Leak Stoppers Inc., we’re also going to identify the cause of the shingles having problems in the first place – something a spray cannot do.

Just read the following excerpt from a complaint on the BBB website:

“I am rejecting this response because: Roof Max was guaranteed to extend my roof life for at least 5+ years. If the product worked why would I spend $20,000 for a new roof only 3 years later. I spent $3,000 on Roof Max so I would NOT have to get a new roof so fast.“

Clearly the Roof Maxx solution was not proper in this scenario, and most issues with roofing need to be addressed by identifying the underlying issues in the home that are causing the problems. That approach is something that many spray applicator contractors may not even be able to do, because those independent contractors or “dealers” may not necessarily have to be experienced roofers to get trained by spray companies to apply their product.

By having a professional roofing company like Leak Stoppers Inc. inspect and address issues with your roof, you’re protecting the roof for the long-term instead of just trying to extend its life while underlying issues continue to work against your efforts.

While not many roofing companies will service an aging roof, Leak Stoppers Inc. specializes in servicing roofs to provide customers with cost-effective solutions that stretch those dollars far beyond what others can do.

If we find that you do need a new roof, we’re going to be direct about your situation so you can make a properly educated decision about your home instead of wasting time selling you solutions that won’t result in long-lasting protection.

A Maintenance Option When Conditions Are Right

Now, all of this isn’t to say these sprays are completely ineffective. The real bottom line here is that these sprays can be helpful to keep shingles in a better condition over time, they’re just not intended to “fix” roof problems.

If your roof is 5 to 10 years old, and your home is completely up to code without any other issues (an estimated less than 90% of homes would qualify), then you might consider using one of these treatments to help keep your shingles flexible and performing.

However, it’s also worth noting that professional roofing companies like Leak Stoppers Inc. also offer similar solutions such as a roof cleaning that includes additional services to rejuvenate or better protect those shingles, while also having the expertise to identify and repair other issues found in the roof.

It’s also worth noting that most major roofing shingle manufacturers offer lifetime guarantees on their products because they know if your home is properly built, you won’t need additional products for your shingles to last a lifetime.

That, to us, is the real clue on where to focus effort – making sure the house is structurally sound, up to code, and energy-efficient all the way through.

The Smarter First Step: A Professional Roof Inspection

Before investing in any spray-based roof treatment, it’s essential to understand the true condition of your roof. A professional inspection by a trusted roofing company like Leak Stoppers Inc. can identify hidden issues that a surface-level treatment won’t find or fix. Not only that, but a professional inspection can help identify other issues in the home that can lead you to better energy efficiency and maximizing a roof warranty to ensure that if issues do occur down the road, they can be properly addressed with minimal cost (or not cost at all) to you, the homeowner.

So, whether it’s a minor repair or a full replacement, knowing what your roof really needs can save you thousands in the long run—and protect your home from costly damage.

Bottom line? Don’t be tempted by quick fixes. Get your roof inspected by professionals before you spray, because your home deserves it.

Contact Leak Stoppers Inc. Today

If you’re considering a spray treatment, have issues with your roof, or, just want to make sure your roof’s warranty is in good standing, contact Leak Stoppers Inc. today at 631-669-1570 or click here to use our online contact form to schedule a consultation or inspection today!