Article Summary: Florida’s rainy season brings 70% of the region’s annual rainfall between May and October, making roof preparation essential for Pompano Beach homeowners. Roof sealing can extend your roof’s lifespan by 10-20 years and reduce cooling costs by up to 25%, but it’s not the right solution for every roof. This guide explains when sealing makes sense, when it doesn’t, and why timing matters for protecting your home before the 2026 storms arrive.

Key Takeaways:
• Schedule roof work during dry season (November-April) before contractors get booked and afternoon storms make application impossible
• Roof coatings work best on structurally sound roofs with minor surface wear—not as a fix for major damage
• Florida law requires insurers to cover roofs under 15 years old, and proper maintenance can help extend your coverage eligibility

Every year, the same question pops up for South Florida homeowners as the dry season starts winding down. Should I do something about my roof before the rain comes back?

If you’ve been thinking about roof sealing, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common calls roofing companies in Pompano Beach get between January and April. But here’s the thing, sealing isn’t always the right answer. Sometimes it’s exactly what your roof needs. Other times, it’s money down the drain.

So how do you know which category you fall into?

What Does Roof Sealing Actually Do?

We get 70% of our rain in five months. If your roof isn’t ready by May, you’re rolling the dice with everything underneath it
– Bentley Roofing

Roof sealing means applying a protective coating over your existing roof surface. Think of it like putting a raincoat on your house. The coating creates a barrier that helps keep water out and can even reflect heat away from your home.

There are different types of sealants out there. Silicone coatings work great for flat roofs. Acrylic options are popular for their affordability. Elastomeric coatings stretch and move with your roof as temperatures change, which matters a lot in Florida’s intense heat.

By correctly installing and regularly maintaining a coating system, a professional commercial roofing contractor can extend the roof’s life by up to 10-20 years. That’s a significant return on investment when you consider the alternative.

But here’s what sealing doesn’t do. It won’t fix structural problems. It won’t replace damaged materials. And it definitely won’t turn an old, worn-out roof into a new one.

Is Your Roof a Good Candidate?

Not every roof benefits from sealing. The best candidates are roofs that still have life left in them but could use some extra protection.

Ask yourself these questions. Does your roof have minor surface cracks but no major damage? Is it approaching the middle of its expected lifespan? Have you had small leaks in the past that were repaired successfully? Is the overall structure still solid?

If you answered yes to most of these, sealing might be a smart move. It can add years to your roof’s life and give you peace of mind heading into hurricane season.

Flat roofs are the most common type to seal in South Florida. They take a beating from the sun and tend to develop small cracks over time. Built-up roofing systems endure for about 20 years, while modified bitumen roofs can last up to 25 years with proper care, particularly when installed with a reflective coating.

Tile roofs can sometimes benefit from sealing too, especially if the tiles are in good shape but the underlayment is getting older. Shingle roofs are trickier, roof coatings are not compatible with asphalt shingle systems unless very specific products are used, and coating over shingles may violate local construction code or trap moisture between layers.

When Sealing Won’t Help

Here’s where honesty matters. If your roof has serious problems, sealing is like putting a fresh coat of paint on a car with a blown engine. It might look better for a while, but you haven’t fixed anything.

Warning signs that sealing isn’t enough include active leaks you can’t trace, sagging or soft spots when you walk on the roof, visible rot or water damage in your attic, and shingles or tiles that are cracked, curling, or missing in large areas.

If any of these sound familiar, you need an inspection before you make any decisions. A good roofing contractor will tell you honestly whether sealing makes sense or whether you’re better off putting that money toward repairs or replacement.

Why Timing Matters

Roof coatings need dry weather to cure properly. That’s why the window between November and April is prime time for this work in Pompano Beach. Florida has a defined rainy season from May through October when air-mass thundershowers drop heavy but brief summer rainfall.

For South Florida specifically, rainy season runs from May 15 to October 15, a period in which the region picks up 70% of its yearly rainfall. Once we hit late May, afternoon storms become a daily gamble.

The problem? Everyone else is thinking the same thing. Contractors get slammed with calls in March and April from homeowners who suddenly realize the rains are coming. If you wait until the last minute, you might not get on the schedule in time.

The Energy Savings Bonus

There’s another benefit worth mentioning. Reflective elastomeric roof coatings can reduce a commercial building’s annual air conditioning energy use by up to 25%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Residential homes see similar benefits.

A cool roof can reduce the amount of energy needed for air conditioning by up to 15 percent on a single story building, leading to substantial savings on energy bills. In South Florida, where air conditioning runs eight months a year, that’s real money back in your pocket.

The Insurance Factor

Your roof’s condition also affects your insurance options. Under Florida Statute 627.7011, an insurer may not refuse to issue or refuse to renew a homeowner’s insurance policy solely because of roof age if the roof is less than 15 years old.

For older roofs, an inspection showing the roof has 5 years or more of useful life remaining can help you maintain coverage. Keeping your roof in good condition through sealing and maintenance could be the difference between affordable premiums and a non-renewal notice.

Making the Right Call

So should you seal your roof before the 2026 rainy season? The honest answer is, it depends.

Start with an inspection. Have a licensed roofing professional take a close look at your roof’s current condition. They can tell you whether sealing makes sense or whether you need a different approach.

Don’t wait until April to start thinking about this. The earlier you act, the more options you have. And whatever you do, don’t let anyone pressure you into a quick decision. A trustworthy contractor will give you time to think and won’t push unnecessary work.

Your roof protects everything underneath it. A little planning now can save you a lot of stress when those summer storms start rolling through Pompano Beach.

At Bentley Roofing, we’ve seen what happens when homeowners wait too long. Water-damaged ceilings, ruined electronics, and insurance headaches that could have been avoided with a little preparation. That’s why we make it easy to get your roof inspected and sealed before the 2026 rainy season arrives. We’ll tell you honestly what your roof needs—nothing more, nothing less. Pompano Beach trusts Bentley Roofing because we treat every home like it’s our own. Schedule your free roof assessment today and head into storm season with confidence