Cold Weather Application Guidelines – Single-Ply and Asphalt Systems
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December 20, 2010

When ambient temperatures drop below 40º F (4º C), the storage and use of roofing membranes and accessories become an important part of both the staging and installation of a roofing system. Some products must be protected from freezing.

Storage of Roofing Materials
Cold temperatures change the physical properties of adhesives and sealants, and make roofing membranes stiffer and more difficult to manipulate. All roofing materials must be stored between 60 and 80º F (15 and 27º C) just prior to using to ensure proper application. If the properties and application of the materials begin to deteriorate from cold weather exposure, restoring them to room temperature is necessary. It may take several days storing cold materials at room temperature (full pallets for example) until the materials are restored to room temperature. Adhesives, sealants and primers stored cold, followed by room temperature storage may cause separation of solvents, requiring re-mixing. Never allow water-based products (Water Based Bonding Adhesive S; AcryliTop PC-100 coatings and base coat) and two-part urethanes (UltraFlash Liquid Flashing, UltraFlash Membrane Adhesive and FillGard M Pourable Sealer) to freeze, resulting in solidification.

Asphalt and MB Multi-Purpose Cold Adhesive Products
Type III, Type IV, and SEBS roofing asphalt should never be heated to or beyond their “fallback” or “final blowing” temperatures. Temperatures at the point of application must be 420º F (216º C) minimum, (per industry requirements); however, asphalt temperatures must never exceed the level indicated on the asphalt packaging.

Firestone Multi-Purpose MB Cold Adhesive is best applied in cold weather by use of a heated spray rig. Squeegee-applied cold adhesive in temperatures below 40º F (4º C) is not recommended. Ambient and substrate temperatures should be 40º F (4º C) and rising at the time of application.
 
Roofing Membranes and Flashing
Membrane Size: During colder weather, large folded panels are more difficult to relax and install, especially with adhered systems. The use of smaller no-fold panels is highly recommended. Always unfold panels and roll out rolls allowing the membrane to relax prior to installation.
 
TPO Membrane Installation: Welding techniques and parameters used for TPO membrane can change significantly during cold weather installation. Welding speeds typically need to be decreased when welding TPO in cold weather. To ensure that seams are properly welded when using an automatic welder, it is critical that test welds are done at start-up when ambient conditions change or if welding is stopped for a significant period of time (such as during lunch breaks). When using a hand welder, test welds should be performed on scrap membrane or flashing material to ensure that the operator is using the proper technique and temperature setting.

TPO membrane becomes stiffer in colder temperatures. To help relax TPO membrane and increase its flexibility, remove the white wrapping on the roll early on the day of installation, leaving the roll in the sunlight as long as possible before installation. This procedure enables the dark bottom ply on the TPO membrane to absorb as much heat as possible, helping the TPO membrane to relax and be more flexible.
 
EPDM Flashing Installation: Uncured flashing products are designed to be formable during warmer temperatures. Cold weather requires supplemental warming by using a heat gun during application. Care should be taken to keep the heat gun away from cleaners, primers, adhesives or other flammable materials. Ambient conditions and flashing color determines the need for supplemental heat. Temperatures below 60° F (15º C) may require the use of an additional heat source to ensure the formability of the uncured flashing.
 
EcoWhite EPDM Flashing and Splicing: To enhance the initial adhesion of Firestone EcoWhite EPDM splice tapes and flashing, the mating areas must be cleaned with Splice Wash SW-100 prior to the application of Single Ply Quick Prime Primer when temperatures are below 60° F (15º C). Pre-cleaning the splicing area helps increase the initial adhesion until maximum adhesion is reached.
 
SBS, APP, and BUR Installation: Modified Bitumen and BUR ply felts should be stored between 60 and 80º F (15 and 27º C) and installed when ambient and substrate temperatures are 40º F (4º C)and rising. Attempting to install asphalt-based products in colder temperatures can reduce adhesion and cause “disbonding” or blistering during subsequent heating cycles. To minimize the potential for materials to cool on the roof before application, bring materials to the roof only as they are needed.
 
Note: Keep UltraFlash Liquid Flashing and UltraFlash Membrane Adhesive at room temperature to maintain proper viscosity for ease of application, to maintain proper adhesive thickness, and to prevent “disbonding.”
 
For further information and assistance please contact Firestone Roofing Solutions at 1-800-428-4511.
 
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Cold Weather Application Guidelines – Single-Ply and Asphalt Systems (236.9Kb)
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