Elastomeric Coatings & Moisture Barriers in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque

Elastomeric coatings are one of the most practical protective systems for Los Ranchos de Albuquerque's stucco and flat-roof surfaces. The village's traditional adobe and stucco homes expand and contract significantly with the extreme temperature swings of the Rio Grande valley, where summer surface temperatures can exceed 150 degrees and winter nights drop below freezing. Rigid coatings and standard paints crack under this thermal movement, but elastomeric coatings stretch up to 300 percent and snap back, bridging cracks as they open and close. For flat roofs, elastomeric roof coatings provide a seamless, reflective barrier that reduces cooling costs and extends the life of the underlying membrane or built-up system. On stucco walls, elastomeric wall coatings seal hairline cracks and prevent moisture intrusion while allowing water vapor to escape from the interior, an essential feature for adobe walls that must breathe. The moisture conditions in Los Ranchos, driven by acequia irrigation and bosque proximity, make this breathability critical. A non-breathable coating on adobe traps moisture and causes the wall to deteriorate from within. We select elastomeric products with the right permeability ratings for Los Ranchos adobe construction.

Elastomeric wall coating on aging stucco is the most requested service in Los Ranchos. Homeowners with map-cracked, chalking stucco that is still structurally sound get years of renewed protection and a fresh appearance from a high-build elastomeric application. We prepare the surface thoroughly, fill significant cracks with elastomeric caulk, and apply two coats at manufacturer-specified mil thickness. Elastomeric roof coating on flat roofs provides a reflective, waterproof surface that handles the ponding common on low-slope Los Ranchos roofs. We apply these coatings over properly prepared built-up or modified bitumen surfaces with reinforcing fabric at all penetrations and edges. Recoating previously coated surfaces requires testing adhesion of the existing coating and stripping any areas with poor bond before applying the new elastomeric system. Simply coating over failing material leads to premature failure. Coating adobe parapets and canale surrounds with elastomeric material protects these critical transition areas where water damage concentrates on traditional flat-roofed Los Ranchos homes.