Safety First In All Kinds of Weather

Roofs may need to be functional in all weather; but when installing or inspecting a roof in cold weather, extra care must be taken. Versico has put together a list of cold weather installation and safety tips to make sure you put down the best roof possible, while staying safe!

Safety Tips

• Dress properly for the weather conditions 
• Be aware of skylight and hatch openings that may be covered by snow. Check the roof plans for the locations of any penetrations. 
• Be aware of your position on the roof with respect to perimeters and other roof levels. 
• Check for icy surfaces that may be hidden by snow, and check for iced rungs on ladders. 
• In colder weather, white membranes reflect heat and can promote slippery conditions due to ice build-up that may not be visible. 

Installation Tips

• VersiGard EPDM - Use non-folded sheets for cold weather installation. EPDM flashing products may require additional warming from a heat gun in cold weather. 
• VersiWeld TPO & VersiFlex PVC - TPO and PVC membranes and walkway rolls must be allowed to relax after they are unrolled and before installation. Also, welding techniques must be adjusted for cold weather application. 
• Low-VOC Bonding Adhesives and Primers - Store these products between 60°F - 80°F, and if outside temperatures are going to be less than 40°F, a heated enclosure or hot box is recommended for jobsite storage. TPO and EPDM membranes should be relaxed for 30 minutes or more before applying adhesives in cold weather. 
• CAV-GRIP 3V - This adhesive can be applied in temperatures of 25°F or above, but the cylinder must be kept above 60°F for the product to spray properly. 
• Flexible DASH - Store this product between 60°F - 80°F and return to 70°F before use. Flexible DASH can be applied in temperatures of 25°F or above, but if temperatures are below 60°F, hot boxes or heated blankets are recommended. 

If you have any other questions regarding cold weather installation tips, please refer to this Installation Advisory or reference the Technical Data Bulletin of the Versico products you are using.