While working on commercial roofing job sites, have you ever found that setting up for a repair sometimes takes longer than the repair itself? You aren't the only contractor to experience this.
Often, the materials and equipment required for this type of work are large and heavy. For instance, you need welding equipment and a generator if the low-slope commercial roofing system is TPO or PVC, as you'll likely be repairing the membrane at vulnerable points such as flashings or drains.
However, you might not need these bulky items for every job. Here are a few low-slope commercial roofing tips that can make repairs faster and more efficient, eliminating the need for a generator in many cases.
Enhance Mobility with a Backpack Welder
When using a generator-powered welder on a commercial roof, you need to consider the logistics, have additional fuel nearby, and maneuver around power cords. All of this can add to the risk of roof work. Accordingly, GAF has rolled out a Backpack Welder that allows for greater mobility on the jobsite.
Designed with contractor input, the kit features a BAK LiiOn Battery Powered Welder, two welder tips, a charger, and one battery (no generator is required). It's also large enough to hold your other tools, with room for detailing membrane, T-joint patches, cleaner, primer, a roller, and shears.
"We designed it so once a contractor puts the backpack on, everything stays in place, and then it has all the pockets for everything they need on that job," GAF TPO Product Manager Michael Cukrow explains. "There are fewer things to carry and fewer trips on and off the roof, which helps contractors be more efficient and ultimately make more money."
Cukrow notes that feedback on the Backpack Welder has been positive. "The more quickly the contractor can fix the roof, the happier their customer is and the more time they will have back in their day to help customers," he says.
Boasting an impressive battery life, the welder can run for about 45 minutes per charge. You can recharge it in your truck, taking about 90 minutes to reach a full charge. For those times you need more than 45 minutes to complete repairs, you can purchase an additional battery.
Opt for Prefabricated Accessories When Possible
Choosing ready-made accessories from GAF can speed up commercial rooftop repairs. For instance, you can opt for self-adhered TPO accessories, like the EverGuard® Self-Adhered White Vent Boot, to save time. Simply clean and prime the membrane, pull the boot over the pipe, peel the backing off, and roll to adhere. Veteran roofing contractors Dave Scott and Wally Brown demonstrate the ease of installation in an episode of the GAF video series Roofing It Right.
Cukrow shares that since welding isn't required, roofers with developing skill levels can easily install the TPO accessories. "If you have some folks who do not have great hand welding skill or who have not elevated their talents to that level, they can still install this product successfully," he notes. "It's really about better deploying your installers. Those who have a lower level of skill can install this while the higher skilled installers can focus on the more challenging flashings, and details."
The EverGuard® Self Adhered Vent Boot is eligible for a 20-year warranty when installed using GAF FlexSeal™ Sealant or EverGuard® TPO Cut Edge Sealant around the perimeter.
Offer Maintenance Programs to Reduce Repairs
One of the easiest ways to speed up rooftop repairs is not having to make them in the first place. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Once you've completed repairs on the building, talk to the building owner about setting up maintenance programs for all their buildings. Commercial low-slope roofing systems benefit from regularly scheduled inspections, drain clearing, and debris removal that can prevent future mishaps and potential water intrusion.
Simplifying Commercial Roof Repairs
By leveraging these low-slope commercial roofing tips, you can save time, energy, and money on future repair jobs. Gone are the days when big, heavy generators needed to be accessible to workers on the roof and membranes took hours to install for repairs, or when installing vent boots. With the latest advancements from GAF, you can offer your commercial clients more value.
Learning more about these high-quality roofing products is as easy as contacting your local GAF representative. Find your local rep's contact information here.
