Utah roofs
Roof Sealing vs. Rejuvenation: What Utah Homeowners Should Know Before Treating an Asphalt Roof
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Every fall, Utah homeowners start hearing pitches for roof “sealing,” roof “coatings,” and roof “rejuvenation.” From Ogden and Layton to Salt Lake City, Provo, Logan, and St. George, the pitches sound alike: spray something on the shingles and the roof lasts longer. They aren’t the same treatment, though, and none of them is the right call for every house.
Here’s a balanced look at what each does, where it falls short, and how The NuRoof Guys decide whether a roof should be repaired, restored, or replaced.
Sealing and rejuvenation are two different ideas
Roof sealing usually means applying a surface coat over the roof. Acrylic, silicone, and blended coatings are common examples. A sealant sits on top of the material like a layer of paint. That can help on the right surface, but on a steep-slope asphalt shingle roof a film on top doesn’t change the shingle underneath, and a poorly matched or poorly applied coating can hold moisture or interfere with how water sheds.
Roof rejuvenation works differently. A rejuvenator is made to soak into an aging asphalt shingle and put back some of the flexibility that sun and heat have baked out of it, rather than building a film on top. GoNano describes its rejuvenation product as a bio-oil blend with nanosilica particles small enough that the shingle can still “breathe,” which is the company’s explanation for why it isn’t meant to trap moisture the way a surface sealant can. That’s the manufacturer’s description, from GoNano’s article on the pros and cons of roof sealing treatments.
The NuRoof Guys are an Authorized GoNano installer, so rejuvenation is the treatment we know best. We still tell homeowners what it can’t do.
Why Utah roofs are a special case
Utah’s climate wears on asphalt shingles from several directions at once:
- Sun at high elevation. Along the Wasatch Front and in southern Utah, UV exposure dries out the asphalt binder over the years. Shingles turn brittle and start shedding granules. Our guide on why Utah asphalt roofs age faster covers this in detail.
- Dry air. Low humidity speeds up that drying, especially on south- and west-facing slopes.
- Freeze-thaw and snow. Snowmelt refreezes in small cracks overnight, and heavy snow and eave ice test flashing and decking every winter in Cache, Weber, Davis, and Summit counties.
- Hail and wind. Summer hail and canyon wind events can bruise, crack, crease, or lift shingles in a single afternoon.
A dried-out roof that’s otherwise sound is the kind of roof rejuvenation was made for. A roof that’s been cracked by hail or lifted by wind has a different problem, and no spray fixes it.
The honest pros
- It’s aimed at aging but sound roofs. On a roof that’s drying out but still in good shape, rejuvenation is meant to restore some of the flexibility that sun and heat have taken out of the shingles. It doesn’t make an old roof new.
- It’s far less disruptive than a tear-off. No dumpster in the driveway, no stripping the roof down to the deck.
- It fits a plan. Restoration can be one step in a longer maintenance plan, alongside repairs and regular inspections, for homeowners who aren’t ready to replace a sound roof.
The honest cons and limits
- It isn’t a repair. Rejuvenation doesn’t fix leaks, missing or broken shingles, failed flashing, cracked pipe boots, or soft decking. Those need roof repair first.
- It isn’t free, and it may not be one-and-done. Whether and when a roof needs another treatment depends on the product and the roof. Ask for that in writing.
- Application matters. The roof has to be clean and dry, the weather has to cooperate, and gutters, siding, and landscaping need protecting.
- It doesn’t change your insurance. No treatment erases existing storm damage or guarantees a carrier will renew a policy or lower a premium.
Rejuvenation is not right for every roof
We say it plainly because it’s the most important point in this article: rejuvenation and sealing are not right for every roof. A roof is usually not a candidate if it has:
- Shingles that are brittle enough to crack or break when lifted
- Heavy granule loss, with bare mat showing across large areas
- Active leaks or water stains on the ceiling or in the attic
- Hail, wind, or other storm damage that hasn’t been inspected or claimed
- Curling, cupping, or blistering across whole slopes
- Soft or sagging decking
Those roofs need roof repair or roof replacement. Shingle quality and warranty wording matter here too; see our post on Utah shingle quality and lifetime warranties.
Storm damage comes first
If hail or wind has hit your roof, don’t treat it before it’s inspected. Treating storm damage doesn’t repair it, and the condition of the roof can matter in an insurance conversation. Get an inspection, document the damage, and talk with your agent. Our Utah homeowners insurance roof checklist walks through what to check in your policy.
Repair · Restore · Replace
Every roof The NuRoof Guys inspect lands in one of three lanes:
- Repair for isolated problems such as a few damaged shingles, a cracked pipe boot, or loose flashing.
- Restore with GoNano roof restoration and rejuvenation for an aging asphalt roof that’s drying out but still structurally sound, often after small repairs.
- Replace when the roof has reached the end of its life or storm damage is too widespread to repair.
The right answer comes from looking at the roof, not from the treatment someone is selling.
Frequently asked questions
Is roof sealing the same as roof rejuvenation? No. Sealing usually puts a coating on top of the roof surface. Rejuvenation is meant to soak into aging asphalt shingles and restore some flexibility from within.
Can rejuvenation fix a leaking roof? No. Leaks need roof repair. On a sound roof, rejuvenation may follow the repair, but it doesn’t replace it.
How do I know if my Utah roof is a candidate? A hands-on inspection. Brittleness, granule loss, storm damage, and decking condition decide it, and most of that can’t be judged from the ground.
Should I treat my roof after a hailstorm? Not before an inspection. If there’s storm damage, document it and talk with your insurer first.
Does a roof treatment affect my insurance? It doesn’t erase existing damage, and nobody can promise a carrier will renew or lower a premium because of it. Ask your agent how your policy treats roof condition.
Get a straight answer on your roof
The NuRoof Guys offer a free roof inspection for homeowners statewide across Utah, with deep roots in Northern Utah and the Wasatch Front. You’ll get photos and a plain recommendation, whether that’s roof repair, GoNano roof restoration, or roof replacement.
Licensed Utah contractor #14225732-5501. Authorized GoNano installer.
Call 385-383-8479 · Email info@nuroofutah.com · Schedule a free roof inspection
Sources and further reading
- GoNano: Pros and Cons of Roof Sealing Treatment - A Balanced Perspective (Feb. 16, 2024)
- The NuRoof Guys: Roof Replacement or Restoration in Utah: Which Fits Your House