Always On Top

OSHA emphasizes the need for fall protection at work sites

James — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:44:19 +0000

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is stressing the importance of fall-protection measures at work sites after four accidents in New Jersey. Construction firms should provide their workers with fall-protection equipment such as guardrails, safety nets, body harnesses and lanyards, said Robert Kulick, OSHA regional administrator in New York. The Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.)

Guardrail with base and toeboard

Happy 60th Anniversary Roofmaster

Jimmy — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:22:47 +0000

The month of April is the 60th anniversary of the founding of Roofmaster by Deryl Yundt. My Dad had been the Pacific Coast manager for Aeroil Products Company of South Hackensack, New Jersey. He actually had taken over for the previous manager, Les Cleasby, who was starting a new venture, to be called Cleasby Whittig, in San Francisco.

In his tenure at Aeroil, he was asked by his customers to handle more products than just what Aeroil manufactured. In asking his manager, Joe

Joe Halperin with Dorothy & Deryl at NRCA 1990

Halperin, to expand their inventory, he was told “we are manufacturers of equipment. You are employed to sell that equipment. You are not employed to sell shovels. End of conversation.”

With the financial backing of some local roofing contractors, Deryl hired one employee, Cornie. Cornie received and delivered all orders. We had customers that suggested new items from problems they had with roofing applications. From that came the first Mopmaster, a 10 gallon half drum on wheels with a handle and the Rotomaster to apply asphalt to sheet for sawtooth roofs. We had been private labeling our Feltmaster and

Feltmaster MRCA 1958 with Deryl

Gravelmaster to Aeroil for about two years, so that was added to the mix.

We have seen lots of changes in the industry in our 60 years. From hot to cold to hot again with modifieds and Leister hot air welders. From roofing in tee shirts and shorts to being covered in safety gear and monitor vests. From the wonderful smell of “hot” to the sound of a Varimat V-2 at 39 feet per minute. From selling a kettle a day in the ’70′s to celebrating selling a kettle in a quarter.

We have seen customers come and go. Southern Distributors, Bryant Universal, San Fernando Valley Lumber, Berkheimers, Hugh McNiven.

We have seen vendors come and go. Aeroil, Blackwell Burner, Smith Hoist.

And we have seen employees come and go. To their maker, Deryl, Jim Nienow and John Mac. To other ventures, Andranette and Greg.

As we enter our next 60 years, we have the third generation in place, ready to attack the challenges of a changing

IRE 2012 Vendor Thank You

marketplace and the ever changing weather, job, material and government conditions.

We raise our glass and toast all of our customers, vendors and employees, for helping us to achieve the past 60 and helping us for the generations to come.

Roofing Supply Group to be acquired by private equity group

James — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:13:30 +0000

PRNews reporting that RSG is to be acquired by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC from The Sterling Group.

Full story

Better Spreaders – A Better Alternative!

James — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 22:58:35 +0000

You don’t have to rely on paint rollers or spray rigs to put down adhesives on your single ply or EPDM jobs. If you want to increase your efficiency over rollers but want to avoid the hassle of clean-up, you can turn to The Better Spreader. This newer series of applicators was developed for roofers interested in competing more effectively in today’s market by a roofer.

This one-step, dispensing and rolling system comes in 4 different models and replacement rollers.

The original model was the 14″ Better Spreader. It suspends a 5 gallon can of bonding adhesives directly over a 14″ roller, for a quick, clean bonding adhesive dispenser that eliminates the mess of hand rolling and spray rigs while saving you time and money.

The Better Spreader

The next model is the Doublewide Better Spreader. This is a 27″ double version of the original Better Spreader that doubles the speed and applies your adhesive in one, continuous motion resulting in a streamlined distribution three times the width of 9″ rollers.

Doublewide Better Spreader

The third model is The Super Spreader. This behemoth accurately applies more than 300 sq. ft. per minute! Its 40″ polyethylene tank allows fast application and easy clean-up. Forty-inch disposable rollers make accurate coverage simple and FAST in three easy steps:
Fill • Apply • Drain

Super Spreader

The newest model is the Super-Mini Spreader. This is the 14″ version of the Super Spreader – perfect for the smaller, detail jobs. The Super-Mini, with 14-inch disposable rollers, has the same easy clean-up polyethylene tank, but in the smaller size. No need to put holes in cans. Pour just what you need into the 5-gallon tank.

Super-Mini Spreader

Replacement rollers are available for every model. For easy shipping, they come 9 per carton.

Kettle Temperature Control

Jimmy — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:57:53 +0000

Cleasby B-61 Auto Control

Ever wonder why there have been so many different kettle temperature controls available?
As I was told, many years ago, the first temperature control was by Cleasby Manufacturing in San Francisco. It seems their next door neighbor was I.T.T. General Controls. In a conversation with a salesperson, the subject came up of overheating asphalt. It was suggested to use the thermopilot B61 valve control, normally used on a water heater. This required a pilot flame that “proved” the thermopilot to open and close the main gas valve.
In about 1955, Roofmaster came up with a 12 volt, battery operated control system. This had a solenoid valve that would operate for either liquid or

Roofmaster 12 Volt Auto Control

vapor LP fuel. By being able to work on liquid, it could work in colder temperatures and not freeze the LP tanks. A nice by product was that we used a “starter-generator” on the pump engine, so you didn’t have to hand start the engine on a cold morning.
A third type of control is the Hi-Low control. This uses a temperature sensor that expands with heat and will slowly open and close the gas valve, regulating temperature. A plus of this type of control is that it can be used on any kettle. We currently install them on smaller kettles that are used by shower pan contractors in addition to the

Hi-Low Auto Control

patented Roofmaster cold process material heating WarmMaster.
With fewer and fewer large kettles being sold, we see a lot of the Hi-Low controls being used. The shower pan people usually light their kettle in the street while they are laying up the pan. By the time they are ready to mop, the asphalt is hot, without having to worry about overheating.
As in other industries, there is always a story of evolution that can be told.

Secure Your Load – Use A Truck Tarp

James — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:29:38 +0000

How many times have you been on the freeway, minding your own business, trying to get to work, when all of a sudden you’re pulled out of autopilot by something smacking your windshield. Whether a piece of tire, scrap, trash or other unknown flying object, we’ve all been victims of windshield pits, cracks, or worse.

Did you know that Federal regulations require all motor vehicles transporting cargo on public roads must be loaded and equipped, and the cargo secured, in accordance with DOT regulation 393, Subpart I? This regulations reads (in part):

“Each commercial motor vehicle must, when transporting cargo on public roads, be loaded and equipped, and the cargo secured, in accordance with this subpart to prevent the cargo from leaking, spilling, blowing or falling from the motor vehicle.”

Essentially, whether you’re hauling garbage, recycling, tear-off or scrap, you need to have your load covered. Over 18′, it’s suggested you get a mechanical tarping system, but for most stake-beds or dump trucks that are 16′ or shorter, a mesh truck tarp is the perfect solution.

Our Truck Mesh tarps are made of PVC coated polyester open-mesh fabric that has double folded hems for reinforcement and have aluminum grommets every 3 feet. These are ideal for covering trucks loaded with debris or materials that need general protection, but the “sail” effect caused by solid tarps creates a lot of wind drag that may not be desirable.

Come visit us at the 2012 International Roofing Expo!

James — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:38:33 +0000

We’ll be in Orlando February 22-24 at the 2012 IRE! Come see us in booth 1247 at the Orange County Convention Center, South Hall A. We’ll have the newly redesigned Lazer Wagon, (which melts and applies APP Modified-Bitumen roofing fast and economically, eliminating the costs of adhesives) along with our other signature “Yellow” items and the nation’s leading roof flashing paint.

You’ll also meet our newest member of the Roofmaster Team, Glenn Beacham! Glenn is our new South East Territory Manager, based in Birmingham

How did Chopped Fiberglass come to the Roofing Industry

Jimmy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:39:43 +0000

Roofmaster was approached by a gentleman named Jay Johnson in the late 1950′s, early 1960′s who had developed a chopped fiberglass gun. His company, Glas-Craft, was located in Montrose, California. They had

Original Glassmaster Gun

developed an air operated gun that was capable of chopping fiberglass roving into pieces anywhere from 1/2″ to 4″ long and then coating with epoxy. Their main business was using this technology to make fiberglass chickens, horses and other products that businesses would put on display. As it turned out, Jay used his gun to make a fiberglass catamaran, which he named “The Glass Slipper”. He entered it in the 1966 Trans-Pacific Yacht race from Los Angeles to Hawaii and won the race on his first try.

With Glas Craft’s help, Roofmaster was able to develop a gun to chop fiberglass, blow it through a delivery tube and two spray tips to coat it with emulsion or white coatings. The fiberglass strengthened the system and was able to help repair damaged roofs.

Glassmaster Gun

Backpack Rover Holder

Since, the Glassmaster gun has gone through some transitions and modifications to make it a little more user friendly. Roofmaster makes the unit in their Monterey Park plant. It comes in a lockable wooden case for protection. It comes with a set of straps and an ergonomically placed handle. We furnish extra anvil rollers as they wear as the blades index into them to fracture the fiberglass. We also offer a Back Pack to hold the box of roving. It includes a feed tube that funnels the roving to the chopper motor.

Typical usage is approximately 3# of fiberglass and 9 gallons of material per 100 square feet. In addition to a material pump for the coatings, the Glassmaster requires a compressor with at least 20 cubic feet capacity per minute.

There are contractors that specialize in this type of roof surface. It strengthens the roof while sealing it.

Re-Certify Your Retractables

James — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:39:06 +0000

During your slow season, you most likely service or repair your essential equipment. You should extend this line of thought to your self retracting lifelines (retractables). Guardian retractables should be re-certified every two years from the date it is put into service. Make sure this in-service date is noted on the I.D. tag. This ensures that the unit is always in proper working order in the event an accident or fall occurs. When a retractable comes in for re-certification, we inspect it to make sure that all the components are in proper working condition. The cable, locking snap hook, brakes and springs are all tested under simulated fall conditions, and any component that fails or shows sign of fatigue must be replaced. This can include the outer labels, which also act as instruction labels and an inspection chart.

Rain in the forecast? Know your tarps!

James — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 23:57:21 +0000

Roofers can tell you about the pit that forms in their stomach when they have an open roof with a storm approaching. If you’re a homeowner, or roofer, do you know which tarp is best for your application?

Most folks are familiar with your standard blue poly tarp. Chances are you own one yourself! They are made in a 8×8 weave with a 4.26 mil thickness and are good for short term weather-proofing needs. They do not hold up well over the long haul or in windy conditions.

If you’re looking for something thicker and longer lasting, there are two other heavy duty options. Green heavy duty tarps are made in a 14×14 weave with a 10-12 mil thickness. This tighter weave and thickness makes for a stronger, longer lasting tarp. Silver heavy duty tarps are the same weave and thickness as green tarps, but have a stronger UV protection to last longer outdoors.

If you’re looking for something to keep the rain out until you can get a contractor in to do repairs, our blue poly tarp pricing starts as low as 5.1¢ per square foot! We stock all sizes from 12′ x 16′ up to 50′ x 50′