Category: Tips and Tricks

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Coatings Need to Put You in a Sticky Situation

pull-test

You are a professional coating contractor but you are only as good as two things: 1) The product you’re installing and 2) The surface you’re trying to be stuck to, & if you don’t have one of those it could be a bad deal.

I can take the best product made and put it on an unclean or unsuitable surface and it isn’t worth anything, but I can also take a drastically inferior coating and put it on a properly prepped and suitable substrate and more than likely make it last for quite some time as a repair.

In the coatings industry prep is everything.

Whether it is power washing and acid etching a metal roof or using a specified cleaner for an aged EPDM, TPO, mod-bit or aged coating, whatever you do to prep the surface is key.

Metal & flat roofs are commonly plagued with oxidation, rooftop oil’s, and other contaminants that can cause a quality Fluid Applied system from adhering properly. On the single ply restoration front, key components to good adhesion are using enough pressure washer force (psi) & gala of blasting media (aka water) to clear the dirt, grime & oxidization from the surface, whether it be the carbon buildup on an EPDM or the oxidized factory applied surface coating used on TPO or PVC membranes.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not expecting you to power wash entire roof just to do a couple pull test, but care does need to be taken for the areas that you are doing a pull test to be treated as if you were doing a full on restoration project.

Once the specified cleaner has been used at least in a 1 x 1‘ area and allowed to dry, then you would use your specified primer for whatever system you are entertaining. We will use a factory finish metal roof for an example. Once we have cleaned our specified area and installed our primer we will allow the primer to cure out the allotted time needed prior to doing the actual pull test.

Once the primer has cured, typically primers at the low milk thickness will cure out in a matter of an hour or 2, we will apply our coatings at the specified gal/sq rates from the manufacturer. Once you have installed the initial layer of coatings you would take a piece of fabric 1 inch wide and embed that into the coatings leaving a 3-4 inch tag end not installed into the coatings.

We would then apply additional coatings over the fabric, fully encapsulating it into coatings. Giving this test or multiple tests on a given roof an ample dry time, typically 3 to 4 days in the summer season, we will then come back and perform the actual pull test.

To perform the pull test you will take a razor blade and make an incision down the side of your fabric on both sides, leaving you with two incisions 1 inch apart the length of the fabric.

Now cut a small incision into your fabric’s loose tag end, and approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches from the end. This will be the hole that you will hook your digital scale to test the amount of pounds per square inch it takes to remove the fabric. Care must be taken when pulling the fabric off of the substrate. You want to pull in a perpendicular manner to the substrate, so in this case we would apply vertical pressure, keeping the tag end at a 90° angle to the roofing substrate.

While pulling with a constant tension against the fabric, we will record the pounds of pull that it takes for failure. Typically any number above 3 pounds per square inch is considered adequate adhesion for a substrate. The reasoning by using a 1 inch wide piece of fabric is for easy calculating of pounds per square inch. If the fabric you are using is say 2 1/2 inches wide then you would have to multiply the pounds per square inch of pull times 2.5 to make sure it’s adequate (2.5×3).

Doing this allows you to know that you are applying your fluid applied system to a substrate that you will be adhered to long term as well as it buys you protection from possible warranty claims. If a manufacture tries to push off a potential warranty claim issue onto you claiming of you not doing your due diligence, you can potentially save yourself by showing that you did pull test prior to install & they passed.

Another key thing to do when performing your adhesion test is to take them from random areas and do at least two areas on the existing substrate that would be considered the poorest quality adhesion areas, typically in low lying or ponded water areas.

This is one of those times in life that to get out of a potential sticky situation later, you want to make sure you’re stuck first.

Chad Hedrick, Roof Coating Life
“We Bleed White”

Chad Hedrick, owner of Roof Coating Life commits to helping 10 new Contractors succeed in the Fluid Applied Industry each year. He’s selective in this process because realistically, his time is limited. He offers his valuable time and best mentor ship to the guys who are serious about making 30%-50% profits with Roof Coatings. Check out the Requirements for working with Chad to see if you might qualify.
Get the FREE eBook “7 Unique Ways To Market Your Fluid Applied Roofing Business.” It’s packed with outside the box Marketing Strategies (Strategy #6 landed us 5 commercial projects last Summer!) that will help you best serve your clients and live the Roof Coating Life like a boss.
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Roof Coatings are Band-Aids

Rooftop-with-a-band-aid-on-it

(Before you send me a scathing email, be sure to read this article in it’s entirety.)

Have you ever heard someone say that roof coatings aren’t a real roof and that they are just a temporary fix, disposable roof or a Band-Aid?

Sadly in some cases that’s true. Our industry has a plague and that is typically surrounded by a Big Box. Yes I said it, the Big Box store mentality of our society is a plague to our sector of the roofing industry worse than almost any other. If you can carry a bucket from the store you can be a repair man, or even worse a commercial roofing contractor.

It’s all about the sale, volume, commodity pricing & the almighty $$$$. Consumer outlets are a huge reason you see buckets of certain manufacturers sitting on the roof with rollers still stuck in them dried hard.On the flip side, if you really look at the life cycle of traditional single ply roofing it is the epitome of temporary roofing. Without fluid applied systems single ply roofing would have no option of remaining on a building without a complete tear-off every 10-20 yrs.

Why Fluid Applied Roofing Systems ARE the answer:

With the advancements of fluid applied systems, existing roofs can now be restored and extended life of service can be indefinitely, if maintained well. Since a fluid applied system weighs literally ounces per sq ft, weight is not an issue ever again.

This sustainability aspect of fluid applied systems is one of the key components to its future growth. When you can go to an aged metal roof and extend the viable life cycle of it all while costing the owner 30-40% less than a reroof and still have the option of a reroof down the road if ever needed, that’s powerful.

The next time someone says fluid applieds are a bandaid option, ask them which one is more like a bandaid, pointing out that a single ply is a loose covering randomly attached until removed by force. And much like a bandaid, it can hurt to take it off and replace with anything else. Fluid applied’s are here to stay and will be a dominate sector in the years to come.

Chad Hedrick, Roof Coating Life
“We Bleed White”

Chad Hedrick, owner of Roof Coating Life commits to helping 10 new Contractors succeed in the Fluid Applied Industry each year. He’s selective in this process because realistically, his time is limited. He offers his valuable time and best mentor ship to the guys who are serious about making 30%-50% profits with Roof Coatings. Check out the Requirements for working with Chad to see if you might qualify.
Get the FREE eBook “7 Unique Ways To Market Your Fluid Applied Roofing Business.” It’s packed with outside the box Marketing Strategies (Strategy #6 landed us 5 commercial projects last Summer!) that will help you best serve your clients and live the Roof Coating Life like a boss.
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Checklist for the Brand New Coatings Contractor (or a new Division of your Existing Company)

New-Contractor-Checklist

1: Select a business name that is well represented by what your niche focus is. Use something along the lines of: “Commercial Roof Coatings of Iowa” instead of “Iowa Roofing and Coatings”, it helps establish your company for Google and the public, by describing in detail what you primarily do.

2: Get a good website up and rolling that is optimized and searchable.

3: Start a Facebook page for your business. Add other Social Media outlets as you grow or expand ones that you already use.

4: Advertise yourself with branded vehicles, shirts, hats, literature and business cards. You can start with a minimal amount of material, but be sure you have enough to be able to begin cold calling in your area.

5: Develop your marketing plan and start working on it immediately: Cold Calling, Direct Mail, Social Media, Trade Shows, Digital marketing, etc.

6: Get your Demo kits started so when you are presenting they are ready.

7: If you can’t answer or return calls in a timely manner, then hire out an answering service to make your company feel larger.

8: Have a system in place for inspections and estimating that is timely and makes a positive impression.

9: Create a Follow Up Plan that is consistent and goes until you get a “YES,” “NO” or a “we already awarded that project.”

10: Do the highest quality work possible on landed projects and never cut corners. Your reputation is something that you can not easily get back once its created. Make a reputable name for your business from the very beginning. This is especially helpful in getting repeat business and referrals.

Chad Hedrick, Roof Coating Life
“We Bleed White”

Want to read more?

“How Your Competition Can Be Your Best Ally In The Roofing Industry”

“Professional Contractors Never Stop Learning”

“The Launch of the Roof Coating Life Blog”

Chad Hedrick, owner of Roof Coating Life commits to helping 10 new Contractors succeed in the Fluid Applied Industry each year. He’s selective in this process because realistically, his time is limited. He offers his valuable time and best mentor ship to the guys who are serious about making 30%-50% profits with Roof Coatings. Check out the Requirements for working with Chad to see if you might qualify.
Get the FREE eBook “7 Unique Ways To Market Your Fluid Applied Roofing Business.” It’s packed with outside the box Marketing Strategies (Strategy #6 landed us 5 commercial projects last Summer!) that will help you best serve your clients and live the Roof Coating Life like a boss.
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Professional Contractors Never Stop Learning

Educated-Contractors-Never-Stop-Learning

No matter how long you’ve been in the business, you owe it to yourself and to your customers to continually learn at the speed that our industry is growing. Technology has changed the quality and overall performance of today’s roofing systems. It has also changed the applications and methods of installation and proven long-term performance based designs.

What may have been known as common knowledge 15 years ago could quite possibly have been replaced with newer technologies and newer methods that give better long-term performance.

Here are a few other reasons why you should continually immerse yourself into trainings, whether it be manufacture-based or in field trainings with other contractors or product reps:

1. The human mind can only retain so much knowledge, without it being brought back to the forefront by daily use.

Things can easily become clouded or confused and we commonly think we recall something to a T, yet it could actually be somewhat different in reality. By attending regular trainings it allows things to be brought back to a more conscious level and builds off of repetition.

2. Technology and advancements have changed for the better by the way that products are applied, stored, used, disposed of and cleaned.

By attending trainings you will learn all of the methods that will make you a better steward of the industry and of our planet.

3. Consistently attending Industry trainings will bring you more profit by expanding horizons of your options and methods of delivering those options to your potential clients.

Take coating’s for an example: if all a contractor ever did on a metal roof was a TPO flute Fill layover and he comes in contact with a customer who does not have the budget for that system, a Fluid Applied system could be a very viable opportunity for that contractor to still make a sale and serve his client. 

Also as stated before when you learn tips tricks or equipment that will speed up your install time while still delivering quality workmanship you lower your labor and increase your profits.

At the end of the day, attending trainings makes you a better contractor so reach out to your local rep, your manufacture, or to other contractors in your area and see which trainings they would recommend you attend and get registered for them as well.
Educated contractors make educated decisions.

Chad Hedrick, Roof Coating Life
“We Bleed White”

Want to read more?

“How Your Competition Can Be Your Best Ally In The Roofing Industry”
“Check List for the Brand New Coatings Contractor”
“The Launch of the Roof Coating Life Blog”

Chad Hedrick, owner of Roof Coating Life commits to helping 10 new Contractors succeed in the Fluid Applied Industry each year. He’s selective in this process because realistically, his time is limited. He offers his valuable time and best mentor ship to the guys who are serious about making 30%-50% profits with Roof Coatings. Check out the Requirements for working with Chad to see if you might qualify.

Get the FREE eBook “7 Unique Ways To Market Your Fluid Applied Roofing Business.” It’s packed with outside the box Marketing Strategies (Strategy #6 landed us 5 commercial projects last Summer!) that will help you best serve your clients and live the Roof Coating Life like a boss.

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How Your Competition Can Be Your Best Ally In The Roofing Industry

two-roofers-shaking-hands

We all know that traditionally your product rep or manufacturers rep can be a huge support system for you and your business. A Rep that reaches out even after you have bought their product and makes sure that you had a successful install, is one worth bragging on and keeping.

But another group of people that could be huge allies in you getting more jobs is your so-called “competition.” I know you’re thinking “what is he talking about? Why would I work with my competition and why would they give me jobs?”

Here is the reasoning behind those crazy thoughts:

I’m not suggesting that you reach out to every competitor that you have in your market, but what I do suggest is that you reach out to a handful of the top notch top quality professionals that you know, who are large players in your market. Find out what services or systems they install that you don’t, and vice versa. 

Let’s say they only install TPO/PVC and EPDM because they are a large single ply contractor. If you were to make a good acquaintance with them and show them how you can offer a high-quality liquid applied system to their repertoire when they come in contact with a client who may not have the budget for a TPO or a layover, they can refer you or bring you in as a sub to do a coating system for them. This allows them to continue to serve their clients and still get a small piece of the pie on an otherwise lost opportunity.

In doing so, if you come across a roof that is in need of a single ply or a specific system that you currently don’t install, you can reach out to them and do the same thing. You can refer them or use them as a sub and you both get a piece of the pie and build both of your businesses.

Mutual Benefits:

Not only does this build stronger communities because of the shared wealth and growth but it also builds a stronger quality control in your market which will allow the cream to rise to the top promoting both of you to get more jobs.

If you live in a storm ridden area this will give both of you the opportunity to tackle more jobs by having more tools in the toolbox, thus improving the bottom line for both companies.

At the end of the day, when you collaborate you eliminate competition and dominate industries.

Chad Hedrick, Roof Coating Life
“We Bleed White”

Chad Hedrick, owner of Roof Coating Life commits to helping 10 new Contractors succeed in the Fluid Applied Industry each year. He’s selective in this process because realistically, his time is limited. He offers his valuable time and best mentor ship to the guys who are serious about making 30%-50% profits with Roof Coatings. Check out the Requirements for working with Chad to see if you might qualify.

Want to read more?

“Checklist for the Brand New Coatings Contractor”
“Professional Contractors Never Stop Learning”
“The Launch of the Roof Coating Life Blog”

Get the FREE eBook “7 Unique Ways To Market Your Fluid Applied Roofing Business.” It’s packed with outside the box Marketing Strategies (Strategy #6 landed us 5 commercial projects last Summer!) that will help you best serve your clients and live the Roof Coating Life like a boss.

Want to up your game in the Fluid Applied Roofing Industry? Sign up for Tips and Tricks of the trade so you can live the Roof Coating Life like a Boss.

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Why am I Doing This Blog?

Chad-Hedrick-of-Roof-Coating-Life-at-the-beach

Hey Boss, I’m Chad with Roof Coating Life. It literally seems like it was just yesterday… man have the years flown by since I made a decision that changed my life. Previously I had worked as a Civil Engineer designing bridges and ADA accessible elevator projects. After the boss man paid me late seven times in a row, I decided something had to change.

It was a Spring day in 2000 when I happened across an opportunity and company that would provide me with the avenue and framework to work for myself in the Roof Restoration/Coatings industry, while installing a Top Quality Proven product for my clients. I took a leap of faith, made the commitment to change and SUCCEEDED with my new Commercial Roofing business… more so than I’d ever dreamed, installing Quality Fluid Applied Systems with Low Labor and Unbelievable Profit Margins!… I couldn’t believe it until I was experiencing it…

I experienced the unique framework of being able to work hand in hand with a fellow contractor who had experience in the fluid applied industry and who had a vested interest in my success, unlike most reps who get paid every Friday no matter what.

Knowing that the support system was there to coach, mentor and train me on anything I wasn’t sure of, gave me more confidence than I could ever think of on my own. I was young and inexperienced, yet bidding and winning 6 figure contracts that many only dream of and better yet they were extremely profitable.

Chad-and-Katie-Hedrick
I even met my wife, Katie on a company trip.

Fast forward to today: I now love what I do and live a FULFILLING life helping other contractors live that same opportunity… providing a great service to their clients, while providing a great income for their family.

It is what I sincerely love to do on a daily basis. Imagine what You could do with an opportunity like this! If you have ever thought “man, I can see the Fluid Applied systems as being a huge leverage when bidding against tear offs or layovers,” well… you’re right. This is an Industry that is on a vertical climb and looks to be going for quite some time.

If You’re looking for Higher Profit Margins and Lower Labor Costs in the Commercial Roofing Industry, message us and let’s get a game plan together and find a way to start working on it TODAY.

I’m living proof of this. I wish I had acted sooner on many things in life… but this is one thing I did right and it was the Single Greatest Decision in my personal life and for sure in my business career. Are you ready? We are! Let’s do it.

Chad Hedrick, Owner at Roof Coating Life
“We Bleed White”

Want to read more:

“Checklist for the Brand New Coatings Contractor”
“How Your Competition Can Be Your Best Ally In The Roofing Industry”
“Professional Contractors Never Stop Learning”

Chad Hedrick, owner of Roof Coating Life commits to helping 10 new Contractors succeed in the Fluid Applied Industry each year. He’s selective in this process because realistically, his time is limited. He offers his valuable time and best mentor ship to the guys who are serious about making 30%-50% profits with Roof Coatings. Check out the Requirements for working with Chad to see if you might qualify.

Want to up your game in the Fluid Applied Roofing Industry? Sign up for Tips and Tricks of the trade so you can live the Roof Coating Life like a Boss.

Join the Email List

Get the FREE eBook “7 Unique Ways To Market Your Fluid Applied Roofing Business.” It’s packed with outside the box Marketing Strategies (Strategy #6 landed us 5 commercial projects last Summer!) that will help you best serve your clients and live the Roof Coating Life like a boss.

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