From pea gravel to river rock — and everything in between. Some roofs have even had potato rocks and we managed to vacuum those too. Our Hurricane 600, 755, and 828 models handle virtually any aggregate type found on commercial flat roofs.

Our record is 23 stories. In terms of distance, there is a substantial reduction in suction for river rock after 500 ft — we can go further but it takes longer. For larger jobs it is best to have multiple setup areas to maintain efficiency.

For EPDM roofs, we always have patch kits on site to fix any damage — and we always notify the roofer with full details and photos. For tar and gravel roofs there is much less risk. We document everything with pictures and carry mastic to patch anything we uncover along the way.

For pea gravel, a good rule of thumb is around 120 squares per day. For river rock it depends on thickness — typically 65 to 85 squares per day. Some roofs are so heavily loaded it slows things down considerably. The Saskatoon Hospital, for example, had over a foot of rock — we could only do 25 squares per day on that one.

Our crane reaches up to 50 ft, which covers buildings up to about 4 stories. For anything higher, a separate crane needs to be hired. Crane companies typically charge $300–$350/hour with a 2–3 hour minimum. For setup and takedown, budget approximately $2,500–$3,500 depending on the city.