Working through the winter: Cold weather tips for adhesives and primers

By Emma Peterson. 

From storage to application on the roof, here are some tips for handling bonding products in cold conditions.  

In the United States, wintertime is often quieter than the summertime when it comes to roofing. This is because winter weather often brings precipitation, winds, freezing temperatures and other weather conditions that are not friendly to outdoor work. But just because there’s less work in the wintertime doesn’t mean there isn’t still work to be done. There will likely be times where you will need to get your crew out into the field to fix or redo a roof, even during the colder months.  

To help contractors in that position, Carlisle SynTec shared an article about cold weather tips for bonding adhesives and primers: 

• Take your time mixing: Thorough mixing is the key to success. At least once a day you need to mix your bonding adhesive until there are no dark streaks (which are unmixed solvents). 
• Try a “tack test”: Make sure to check that solvents have flashed off and that your adhesive is ready (still tacky) before installing the membrane. Remember, colder temperatures are going to change how long this takes. One thing to take note of is that, if there are shaded and non-shaded areas of the roof, shaded areas will stay cooler for longer and take longer to flash off. If you find it is not tacky, it must be re-applied at the published coverage rate. 
• Be patient with your membranes: Working in colder or wetter conditions requires patience. Membranes should be given 30 minutes or longer to relax before you apply your adhesive, especially if you are working with a folded EPDM sheet. 
• Store products carefully: If temperatures fall below 40°F (~4°C) for an extended period, adhesives and primers can thicken or even solidify in the can. For most products, it is recommended that they be kept between 60-80°F (~15-26°C) for best application and results. A way to achieve this on wintertime jobs is by using a heated enclosure or hot box that keeps products warmer and liquid.  

Check out the rest of the tips in the original article from Carlisle SynTec!