Fly-by-nighters are good at finding ways to separate homeowners from their money. There are phony loans, bait-and-switch schemes, cash upfront jobs that never get started. And every summer, we get the two classics: coating roofs and driveways.
In some circumstances both jobs are worthwhile, but not often and not the way the bogus services are sold. For instance, a legitimate aluminized coating will help a dark-colored, low-slope, sunstruck roof reflect more heat and reduce AC bills. A legitimate asphalt sealer will help an aging driveway shed water instead of soaking it up. But a fly-by-nighter mix with old engine oil that looks like a real coating won’t help and often makes things worse.
To be fair, a scam artist needs a willing accomplice, and many homeowners are ready to oblige. Some may be hoodwinked. But many don’t do their home improvement homework, don’t get more than one bid, don’t check references and seem to have forgotten that when a price looks too good to be true it usually isn’t.
The biggest red flag? Coincidence. The guy just happens to be on your street and just happens to have some coating left over. It’s amazing because he’s not from the area, has an out-of-state plate, no name on the truck, no phone number where you can reach him, no references, no license, no insurance – and he may need to borrow your ladder. And another coincidence. The same great coating that works on your roof will also work on your driveway. And today is the only day he can offer such a special deal for both. No time to think about it, no time for paperwork, nothing to sign. And because it’s so special? Cash, please, not a check, which would only complicate things and drive up the price.
More red flags? Consider the extravagant claims. On the roof, his special coating will stop leaks and rejuvenate shingles so you don’t have to re-roof. On the driveway, it will stop cracking and settling so you don’t have to repave. A con man will work this angle so it starts to seems as though he’s saving you money and doing you a favor.
What works
Asphalt roofs: Most homes are shingled. There is non-asphalt-based coating to spray on or mop on that works on those roofs. Even a legitimate, asphalt-based roof coating will make a mess of a shingled roof. Those coatings are for low-slope (nearly flat) structures covered in wide sheets of roll roofing – and then only sometimes. The material that works for spot repairs is called roof cement, not roof coating. It’s a thick, heavy mix spread with a trowel, not a roller. In dabs it can refasten individual tabs to the shingles below, seal loose flashing, and close leaks temporarily around skylights and vent pipes. If you’re replacing a couple of worn shingles and don’t want to break surrounding shingles by bending them for nailing access, a bed of roof cement can be spread to hold a shingle or two without nails.
Asphalt drives: Small cracks and holes need a bead of asphalt crack filler, applied with a caulking tube. Large cracks and potholes need asphalt cold patch – a dense filler sold in bags that’s similar to what road crews use. Most drives do not need a sealer, ever, and many that are applied are basically cosmetic. If the old drive is sound but faded and gray in areas, a sealer spiffs it up. It won’t hurt. But sealing isn’t required until the asphalt soaks up water instead of shedding it. Then, consider a coal tar-based product, the most popular, that generally lasts longer and provides better resistance to oil, gasoline and de-icing salts than the main alternative, asphalt-based sealer. But asphalt-based and more expensive acrylic-asphalt sealers are almost odorless compared with coal tar. And if you’re up for a change from basic black, they even come in colors.
