Now that the cold winter months are well and truly upon us, roofing contractors across the country will be bracing themselves for the adverse weather conditions and the subsequent effects that these will have on their installations. One battle that contractors will be all too familiar with, particularly those working with liquid-applied membranes, is how this will impact the cure time of the system and overall installation process.
Fortunately, for Poylroof’s network of approved installers, they have access to our full range of advanced liquid roofing technology, including our Low Temperature Accelerators. Designed to speed up the cure and allow installations to be conducted at the lower deck temperatures commonly encountered during the winter months, Polyroof’s Low Temperature Accelerators are available with a number of our market-leading waterproofing solutions, including Protec, Protec Evolve, XtraFlex, and 185 GRP Systems.
The accelerators are contained within an additive that can be added to standard resin products on-site prior to use, although it is important to note that they should only be added as temperature ranges permit. Find out more about about Polyroof’s Low Temperature Accelerators below.
Why Use Low Temperature Accelerators?
Using Polyroof’s Low Temperature Accelerators allows you to conduct installations at deck temperatures as low as 1℃ for the Protec System, which would normally be limited to 5℃ without, and 2℃ for the Protec Evolve System, which would normally be limited to 8℃ without the addition of accelerators.
By incorporating accelerators with Polyroof’s liquid waterproofing membranes, this will enable you to continue installing our liquid waterproofing membranes throughout the winter, reducing the risk of delays to projects.
Polyroof Low Temperature Accelerators are resin based, therefore, increasing the volume of liquid in the tin. For example, incorporating the accelerator into a tin of Protec would provide 11 litres of resin as opposed to the standard 10 litres, meaning there is usually no effect on the material cost.
When Can I Use Accelerators for The Protec System?
If the temperature ranges between 1°C and 4°C, Low Temperature Accelerators must be used to ensure the system will fully cure. You must first ensure that the substrate is clear from any debris and dirt, in addition to condensation and frost.
If the temperature is between 5°C and 10°C, Low Temperature Accelerators may be used to speed up the cure time and pot life of the resin for a quicker installation.
Winter accelerators for Protec are not recommended for temperatures above 10°C.
When Can I Use Accelerators for The Protec Evolve System?
If the temperature is between 2°C and 7°C, Low Temperature Accelerators must be used to ensure the system will fully cure. You must first ensure that the substrate is clear from any debris and dirt, in addition to condensation and frost.
If the temperature is between 8°C and 17°C, Low Temperature Accelerators may be used to speed up the cure time and pot life of the resin for a quicker installation.
Winter accelerators for Protec Evolve are not recommended for temperatures above 17°C.
Important to Note
It is important to remember that accelerators are not a substitute for catalyst, which must always be added to the Polyroof resin before being applied, at a maximum rate of 4% in cold conditions. Further details on installing Polyroof membranes in conjunction with Low Temperature Accelerators can be found in the relevant Product Accelerator datasheet.
The Polyroof technical team are on hand to support you with any queries you may have about our solutions, sharing between them a wealth of flat roofing industry knowledge and experience. For further information regarding Polyroof Low Temperature Accelerators or for advice about installing Polyroof systems during winter, please call our Technical Team on 0800 801 890 or get in touch with your regional Polyroof field staff. If you would like to enquire about becoming a Polyroof Approved Contractor, please get in touch today.
