What's in it, in plain words
Here's what the SoyLei data sheet says about APEX-1132:
- Made from soybean oil. It's a soy-based emulsion with 96% certified biobased content under the USDA BioPreferred program.
- Biodegradable. It breaks down naturally.
- pH neutral. Neither acidic nor alkaline.
- No flash point. As a liquid, it doesn't burn.
- Little to no smell. The data sheet lists no or minimal odor.
It goes on as a milky white liquid and dries into the shingles. Our soy roof treatment page covers how it works on asphalt.
What to do on treatment day
A gentle product still calls for common sense.
- 01Keep pets inside
Bring dogs and cats in while we spray and until the roof is tack free. That takes about 30 minutes in mild weather.
- 02Close nearby windows
Odor is low, but there's no reason to let spray mist drift indoors.
- 03Point out your garden
If you have beds or a vegetable patch right under the roof edge, show us before we start so we can plan around them.
Runoff, gutters and the yard
We spray the roof, not the yard. The mix is 5 parts water to 1 part concentrate, and it's made to soak into the shingles. At 70 to 80 degrees it's tack free in about 30 minutes, ready for foot traffic in about an hour and fully cured in 1 to 2 hours.
That's one reason we only treat on mild, dry days. A shower right after spraying could carry product off the roof before it soaks in. See can you rejuvenate a roof if rain is coming for how we handle the forecast.
We won't call any product 100% safe. What we can tell you is what the data sheet says: soy-based, biodegradable, pH neutral and low odor. If you have a pet with health problems, check with your vet and we'll plan the day around it.
More questions
Can my kids play in the yard during treatment?
Keep them inside or well away from the house while we spray. Once the roof is tack free, about 30 minutes in mild weather, they can head back out. Nobody but us should be on the roof.
Is it safe near my vegetable garden?
It's made from soybean oil and it's biodegradable, so we're comfortable working near garden beds. Still, tell us about any garden at the roof edge before we start. You can read more about the product in what is SoyLei APEX-1132.
Does the treatment smell?
Very little. The data sheet lists no or minimal odor. Keep nearby windows closed while we spray and you likely won't notice it inside.