The first step in successfully installing a thermoset membrane roofing system is to properly plan and coordinate the job. This means that you will require the proper tools and correctly estimate the materials.
Along with the tools you need for any other roofing job, you will need the following:
- Clean Cotton Cloths
- Scissors
- Hand rollers (steel or rubber)
- Paint brush, or hand-held paint roller (for seam adhesive)
- Applicator for seam tape primer/adhesive
- Caulking gun
- Paint roller
- Hot air gun (for forming uncured flashing)
Many manufacturers have specific instructions for the type of tool used to apply their products. Always use the correct tool for the job.
In order to correctly estimate the materials, you will have to calculate the following:
- The area of the roof (length times width).
- The perimeter length of the roof.
- The length, width and height of all parapets.
- The length and height of all walls requiring flashing.
- The length, width and height of all curbs.
- The dimensions of all roof penetrations including drains, vent pipes, chimneys, etc.
These dimensions will allow you to estimate the amount of material you will need for the job including:
- Size of membrane sheets (try to use the largest sized rolls possible).
- Number of rolls required.
- Quantity of perimeter bars or strips (length).
- Quantity of batten bars (length).
- Number of fasteners and plates.
- Number and length of screws or spikes.
- Quantity of bonding adhesive.
- Quantity of splice adhesive (if required).
- Quantity of splice tape primer/adhesive.
- Number of rolls of splice tape.
- Number of rolls and width of uncured flashing material.
- Number of tubes of lap sealant (if required).
- Number of tubes of bedding or water cut-off sealant.
- Tonnage of ballast (if required).
- Number of rolls of protection mat (if required).
- Number of gallons of splice cleaner.
- Quantity of accessories such as pipe boots, “t” joint covers, preformed corners, etc.