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CONTENTS

Acknowledgments ix
Introduction xi

Chapter 1 An Overview of Roofing 1

Fire Safety and Protection 2
Wind Resistance 3
Estimating Life Expectancy 3
Classifying Roofs 4
Building Low-Slope Roofs 4
Constructing Steep-Slope Roofs 7

Chapter 2 Planning a Job 13

The Importance of Planning 13
Solid Estimating Practice 14
Preroofing Conferences 25
Delegating Responsibility 25
Summary of What Should Be Accomplished at
Preroofing Conferences 27
Closing the Deal with Value Engineering 29
Writing Real-World Contracts 30
Scheduling 34
Investing in Equipment 34
Managing Inventory 35
Disposing of Old Material 37

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iv CONTENTS

Chapter 3 Roof Safety 45

Protecting the Worker 45
Training for Physical Safety 46
Guarding against Falls 48
Caring for Injuries 53
Initiating a Safety Program 57

Chapter 4 Tools and Equipment 59

Hand Tools 61
Power Tools 62
Lifting and Climbing Gear 72
Maintaining Tools and Equipment 79

Chapter 5 Built-Up Roofing 81

Welding the Plies 81
Surfacing BUR Systems 89
Handling, Protecting, and Storing Materials 91
Applying BUR Materials 93
Using BUR Application Equipment 97
Installing BUR Roofs 103
Flashing 112
Maintaining BUR Membranes 118
Reroofing BUR Systems 125

Chapter 6 Single-Ply Roofing 135

Casting Thermosets 136
Heating Thermoplastics 144
Featuring Modified Bitumen Roofing 147
Preparing the Roof 150
Applying Single-Ply Materials 156
Seaming Single-Ply Materials 161
Applying Thermoplastic Materials 165
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CONTENTS
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Applying Modified Bitumen Materials 171
Flashing at Terminations 174
Surfacing Single-Ply Roofs 178

Chapter 7 Asphalt Roofing 181

Using Asphalt Shingles 182
Using Roll Asphalt Roofing Materials 184
Using Saturated Felt Underlayments 184
Preparing for Asphalt Roofing Materials 185
Specifying Underlayments 188
Fastening Asphalt Roofing Materials 189
Installing Asphalt Shingles 190
Applying Flashing 196
Reroofing with Strip Shingles 212
Applying Individual Shingles 222
Applying Roll Roofing 223
Applying Double-Coverage Roll Roofing 232
Inspecting the Job 236
Resolving Problem Areas 237

Chapter 8 Wooden Shingles and Shakes 241

Grading Shingles and Shakes 241
Estimating Quantities 245
Applying General Design Details 245
Preparing for Reroofing Jobs 263
Designing Cold-Weather Roof Systems 270
Adding Novel and Distinctive Effects 272
Treating Wooden Roofs 275

Chapter 9 Slate Shingles 279

Examining Slate Characteristics 281
Installing Slate Roofs 288
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Designing a Slate Roof 293

Laying Slates 294
Reroofing with Slate 310
Making Additions or Alterations to
Slate Roofs 311
Overcoming Slate Problems 313

Chapter 10 Clay and Concrete Tiles 315

Making Clay Tiles 315
Making Concrete Tiles 319
Preparing the Roof 321
Working with Tiles 322
Making Allowances for Cold Weather 323
Arranging Colored Tiles 324
Fastening Tiles 324
Applying Flashing 328
Installing the Tile Roof 329
Reroofing Tile Roofs 341
Installing Fiber Cement Shakes 343

Chapter 11 Metal Roofing 347

Taking Advantage of Metal Roofing 348
Examining the Types of Metal Roofing 350
Selecting Metal Roofing Materials 353
Evaluating Metal Coatings 355
Choosing Paints and Laminates 356
Using Metal-Working Tools 357
Unloading and Storing Metal Materials 359
Fastening Panels 359
Applying Metal Roofing Panels 363
Repairing and Caring for Metal Roofs 380
Introducing Plastic Panels 382
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CONTENTS
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Chapter 12 The Business of Roofing 387
The Art of Management 388
Before Creating a Business Plan 391
The First Step Is Knowing What You Want 392
Start with Long-Term Goals 393
Setting Short-Term Goals That Guide You toward
What You Want 394
Developing a Business Plan 396
Forecasting and Leveling 401
Marketing and Sales 402
Peripheral Cash Flows 408
Insurance 408
Using Subcontractors 412
Accounting 413

Chapter 13 Computers 415

Employing Computers Rather than Staff 416
Automating the Office 417
A Brief Look at Software 421
Uses of Computers for a Roofing Firm 422
Accounting—the Backbone of Management 435
Taking Advantage of Vendor Discounts 439
Shopping and Discounts 440
Management Software 440
Reporting on Activities 441
Miscellaneous Software 441
Hardware 442

Chapter 14 Developing Cash Flow from Miscellaneous

Roof Work 443
Warranties and Maintenance Contracts as
Additional Revenue Sources 443
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Reroofing Can Be a Healthy Cash Cow 453

Roof Drain Systems 455
Change Orders as a Profit Center 473
The Roofing Consultant 474
Promoting Roof Accessories 481
The Future of Roofing 485

Appendix A Using the CD 491

Resource Directory 492

Appendix B Metric Conversion Guide for the Roofer 531

Index 537