Cotney Consulting Group

11/07/2026

🧱 Laps & Splices: Where Good Welding Separates Repairs from Callbacks ⚠️

When laps or splices open up, it’s rarely the membrane—it’s the prep, cleaning, or welding sequence that failed.

Here’s the correct field process to make the repair last:

• Pull back unbonded lap material until solid adhesion is reached
• If water intrusion is suspected, open the system and replace any wet insulation or damaged deck
• Clean and prep the lap area thoroughly—no dirt, no shortcuts
• Strip in a reinforced patch (minimum 8" wide) centered over the lap
• Clean both the membrane and patch underside with approved solvent and allow to air dry
• Install using proper thermoplastic welding steps: tack weld, pre-weld, then final weld
• Roll welds while hot to ensure full fusion and eliminate voids
• Probe seams after cooling and seal reinforced edges if required
• Redistribute ballast if it was removed during the repair

Laps don’t fail quietly. They tell you exactly where the system is weakest.

File this one away—small details prevent big leaks.

11/06/2026

Project specifications often carry more risk than the drawings themselves.

In Florida Roofing Magazine, “Beyond the Blueprint: Navigating Project Specifications,” we explain why understanding specs is critical to scope clarity, estimating accuracy, and avoiding disputes during construction.

If you’re only reading the plans, you’re missing half the job.
https://issuu.com/roofingflorida/docs/202311_sfs
📖 Florida Roofing Magazine — November 2023, pg. 14

11/04/2026

Recruitment Doesn’t Start with a Job Ad—It Starts with Strategy

Most roofing companies struggle with hiring not because people don’t exist, but because recruitment is treated as a reactive task instead of a planned process.

In this article for RoofersCoffeeShop, I outline practical recruitment strategies roofing companies can use to attract better candidates, set clearer expectations, and improve long-term retention. From employer branding to interview discipline and onboarding, recruitment works best when it’s intentional.

Hiring the right people is a leadership responsibility—not an HR afterthought.

🔗 https://ow.ly/qgZL50XT8jP

By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. Labor recruitment strategies and resources you need to recruit and hire life-long employees. According to the latest U.S. Department of Labor statistics, the national unemployment rate only rose 0.2 percentage points to 3.7 percent. There are 11.2 million ope...

11/03/2026

Operational Tuesdays – Superintendents
Superintendents translate plans into action.
When communication breaks down, crews improvise.
Improvisation increases risk, rework, and safety exposure.

11/01/2026

Waiting for problems to force change is expensive.
The best companies make improvements while things are still going well—so they’re ready for whatever comes next.

10/28/2026

World-class safety doesn’t stop with systems—it lives in culture.

In Part Three of this MetalCoffeeShop article, John Kenney explains how leadership example, communication, and trust are what turn safety programs into lasting safety culture.

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Learn about all of the key components of a great safety management system, including how to document activities and perform a gap analysis. In Part Three, we will continue discussing implementing a safety management system (SMS). Please refer to Parts One and two if you are new to this series. ...

10/27/2026

Operational Tuesdays – Project Management
Communication cadence matters.
Sporadic updates lead to surprises.
Surprises are rarely good for schedules or margins.

10/22/2026

Construction drawings can make or break a roofing project.

In Florida Roofing Magazine, “Decoding Construction Drawings: The Essential Guide for Roofing Contractors,” we cover why correctly interpreting plans and details is essential for accurate estimating, quality installations, and avoiding costly mistakes.

Understanding the drawings is understanding the job.
https://issuu.com/roofingflorida/docs/october_2023
📖 Florida Roofing Magazine — October 2023, pg. 10

10/21/2026

World-class safety isn’t just about having rules—it’s about reinforcing them every day.

In Part Two of this RoofersCoffeeShop article, John Kenney explains how leadership consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement are what sustain strong safety performance in roofing organizations.

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By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. Here are the key elements every great safety management system should have. In Part One of this series, we looked at the definition and goals of a world-class safety organization in our industry. In Part Two, we will learn about the elements and implementatio...

10/20/2026

Operational Tuesdays – Estimating
Estimating doesn’t end at handoff.
When estimators disappear after award, alignment suffers.
Poor handoffs create confusion that the field has to absorb.