With dark, cold nights, upon us and temperatures dropping to near-freezing and below, it’s not only time to dig out your big coat, but time to review your construction products and application processes to ensure they can handle the chill. This weather can affect the performance of some building and DIY products, so we’ve put together this handy guide so you can keep your construction standards high and your customer’s homes and properties dry. 

You can find the technical data sheets and safety data sheets for all our products on our website, but here’s our winter weather advice for builders on how to effectively use Cromar products. 

Liquid Roofing Systems

Working with our liquid roofing systems can be a little more difficult in winter. To ensure the best application, choose a clear, warm day with no chance or rain or sudden temperature drops. 

With products such as PROGRP, Hydrosil and Flexiglass, always consult the application guides before use and be mindful of the temperature parameters. 

  • You can improve the curing times of liquid roofing systems in cold weather, by keeping the products in a warm environment such as by a radiator or in the footwell of a van with the heater on.
  • In general, all coatings should be applied above 5°C.

Cromapol

On colder and wetter days, Cromapol tends to thicken up and becomes less practical to use. It is always advisable that the application surface should be clean and dry and the deck temperature should be above 5°C to ensure successful adhesion and bond. 

  • Cromapol should be kept warm, at room temperature, prior to application. 
  • Be mindful that drying times may also double in the winter.
  • Once Cromapol is applied to the surface, it is immediately waterproof and frost resistant.
  • Coverage rates may be affected in cold weather

Flashing

In cold weather, below 5°C, the adhesion on the flashing will be reduced and so we recommend applying flashing in temperatures above 5°C. However, if you’re really in a bind, there are a couple of things you can do:

  • Where it’s safe to do so, you can warm the surfaces with a gas torch or blowlamp
  • Keep the flashing in a warm location, prior to use.

Professional Decorators Caulk

Generally, caulk should be applied in warmer weather, ideally above 5°C. If the caulk is applied outside of the temperature range, even high performing caulk like our AlphaChem Caulk, won’t flow as well out of the tube, won’t sit right in the joint, and won’t tool as well.

  • If your caulk stored in a garage or van, bring it inside the house the night before use so it can warm up.
  • If you do need to apply decorators caulk, try putting your tube in a bucket of warm water before, use to bring it up to the right temperature. 

Aerosols

This includes products such as our Hand-Held and Gun Grade Expanding Foams, Line Marker, and WebTack aerosols. Generally, aerosols are okay to use in low temperatures, but there’s still a couple of things you can do to ensure the products work to their best ability.

  • Always make sure you shake the can thoroughly before use.
  • With all of our aerosol products, we would recommend that the tins be warmed up to room temperature, ideally in a bucket of warm water, before use. 

Bitumens

Solvent-based solutions

In colder, wetter weather, solvent-based products tend to thicken up, making them less practical to use. As drying times and coverage may also be affected by the winter weather, be sure to check the technical data sheets beforehand, and apply only when the temperature will be above 5°C.

  • Ensure the application surface is clean and dry
  • The solvent-based bitumen solution should be kept at room temperature, prior to the application.
  • Drying times for solvent-based bitumens may double in the winter.
  • In colder climates, the coverage rates will also be affected. 

Water-based Bitumen solutions

Water-based bitumen solutions such as Cromaprufe & Roofing Emulsion should not be applied in the winter if there is a risk of frost.

Wood Adhesives

Wood and timber adhesives can be particularly tricky to apply in winter. Choose a day with a fair forecast of at least 10°C and very little chance of rain to ensure the best application and an effective bond. 

  • Wood adhesives should not be used below 10°C as the temperature will affect the curing and adhesion of the glue. 
  • As a  general rule, if the adhesive turns white during the application process, then it is too cold to apply it.
  • It is important to ensure that the temperature is also maintained throughout the drying time to ensure an effective bond.
  • If a wood adhesive freezes, the bonding ability will be significantly weaker once the product has defrosted. We recommend storing your adhesives in a warm, dry place and removing them from your van or cold workshops when there is a risk of frost

There you have it, our top tips for using Cromar Building Products in winter. If you have any questions about Cromar Building Products or how to use them, contact our friendly team and we’ll be happy to help.