dennis

Wed Aug 31, 2005 10:08 pm

Some pictures of a recent flat roof installation. These are some flashing details using a GAF TPO 60 mil mechanically attached system. What do you think?

http://www.roofersreview.com/gallery2/main.php/v/TPO%20single%20ply%20membrane/?g2_page=2

Master

Wed Aug 31, 2005 11:50 pm

This is one system with which I have zero experience.

QRFL

Thu Sep 01, 2005 1:24 am

i agree with Master ... lmao

SYS

Thu Sep 01, 2005 4:35 am

Is this the system that you use steam. Where it all ends up just one piece?

dennis

Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:58 am

Hot air welded.

No flame, no fire.

No glue, no mess.

Used to be solvent welded, like pvc pipe. But that was bad for the brain cells.

SYS

Thu Sep 01, 2005 1:06 pm

That is a nice roof system there. I hear it takes alot of the hard work out of roofing. It is in use arond here a little bit but it is more costly so most people aren't as quick to go for it. I also hear it lasts a whole lot longer since there really are no seams when your done. It sure does look sharp!

Master

Thu Sep 01, 2005 4:17 pm

OH....there are seams.

Now a 48 mil polyurea fluid applied roofiong membrane would be seamless.

QRFL

Thu Sep 01, 2005 4:23 pm

i like foam because you can easily build up low spots and insulates and its lightweight.....i dont like when it sticks to your arm hairs.. you have to have yellow dots in your arms for weeks unless you rip them off.

Master

Thu Sep 01, 2005 10:53 pm

Have you done SPF, Q?

SYS

Fri Sep 02, 2005 4:02 am

The way the system was explained to me, the heat actually bonds the material to where there are no seams at all. I didn't believe it when he told me about it but as luck would have it there was a roof like the one he was explaining to me right there across the street. I seen no seams in it. It looked real nice up there. I asked if it was like epdm, he said in ways it was similar. He said the heat welder tool was pretty light weight. I want to do a roof with that stuff. Just to see it for myself.

QRFL

Sat Sep 03, 2005 6:25 am

i worked in a big company where i started in the foam crew for a few months... every day you put your paper pans and tape paper to your boots.. i like the end of the day when you get down with giant shoes from all the overspray and you just brake the ball like an egg to clear your shoes...
i didnt like the part where you grind the foam at the scuppers to level it..dry foam in your eyes hurts a lot..

Master

Sat Sep 03, 2005 2:12 pm

Well, I am currently trying to bust into plural components. Maybe you would like a semi-working vacation paid to Chicago if I should happen to make things happen?

What type of proprtioners were you using? Do you have any polyurea experience?

QRFL

Sat Sep 03, 2005 4:06 pm

Master i never got a chance to get into all the technical stuff...foam has a lot to learn...all i know is that we had like a trailer with tons of machinery..pumps and gauges.....then we carry this huge heavy drums in to it one labeled "A" and one labeled "B"...we ran up the giant big hose that we have to keep wrapping in duct tape to prevent wear and tear... they warm up the hoses then one guy carries the weight of the hose and warns the sprayer about things behind him...since he is spraying and walking back blindly..so he dosent trip..by the way the guys back is gone... that hose takes a beating on the sprayer guy...we go up there tape all the big gaps with paper tape...sometimes prime ..sometimes no primer...then spray foam..then grind to shape in some areas.......then next truck comes in sprays first coat...then we come back and spray final and spread granules over the coating..

there is nothing worst than getting the sprayer clogged from foam built up in a chance of rain day...

we were a crew of 3-4 spraying foam
2-3 spraying coats and granulating.

sometimes i was number 2 in the crew ....sometimes number 4 ...lol
it takes a lot of skill to spray that stuff...you get a guy who dont know how to spray and you end up having to grind the whole thing!!

the technical stuff i have to say you need a course on it...you need school...i was making more money shingling then working on the foam crew..and i shingle alone..instead of putting up with the guys..so i went off shingling..

Master

Sat Sep 03, 2005 5:39 pm

The MFG has offered training to me and my crew. As I understand it, I will be coating the SPF with polyurea or acrylic.

QRFL

Sat Sep 03, 2005 6:10 pm

yea the gun has a weird tip that sprays both chemicals from opposite sides creating an x pattern ... as soon as the goop hits the deck it blows up and turns yellowish..it remains soft for a minute or two...during this time the sprayerguy keeps poking it with a knife to verify thickness...

the poly is the foam and the acrylic is the coatings..

are this trining seminars close to you???

here in san diego i think there are only like 2 companies that sell foam roofs..

i have no clue about overhead costs on foam...but that equipment seem expensive..and the chemicals too..have you run up the numbers yet???