The EPDM roofing association
which started in 2002 has always focused on educating contractors
and the roofing community on the characteristics and benefits
of EPDM membranes. Their studies have concluded that EPDM's service
live is over 20 years. Arguably the most important benefit of
an EPDM system is the membrane's flexibility. A growing number
of contractors are specializing in EPDM installation, due to its
low callbacks and insurance premiums. EPDM roofing systems also
feature low maintenance, easy repair options and low annualized
costs. With Liquid EPDM there is No cutting, No gluing and No
Seaming! EPDM Liquid Rubber totally eliminates the problems encountered
with single ply materials because it produces a seamless membrane
which is all of the same chemistry. So what do we gain by using
EPDM Liquid Rubber? It eliminates seam failures and eliminates
shrinkage of the single ply rubber. It also prevents further chalking
particularly with white EPDM and it extends the life of a roof.
Liquid Rubber, available through Epdmcoatings.com is the only
EPDM in Liquid form. This product is a high solids solution of
sheet EPDM Rubber. It converts from liquid to solid elastomer
via a unique free radical cure mechanism which works at temperatures
of 55° F and higher. EPDM Liquid Rubber can be applied directly
on many types of substrates that have solid, stable, non-porous
and uniform surfaces such as flat roofs. For most substrates,
primers are not necessary. As an example, some types of substrates
that can be coated with EPDM Liquid Rubber without a primer are:
1. EPDM Rubber Membrane on
flat or sloped Roofs
2. Weathered Steel Siding
3. Outstanding barrier for salt-water environments
4. Weathered Fiberglass
5. Weathered standing seam and corrugated metal roofs
6. Weathered Vinyl, PVC and Polycarbonate plastic
7. Foam insulation for pipe
8. Cast Concrete foundations
Liquid
Rubber may be applied at any temperature that permits it
being spread onto the surface. It will waterproof immediately
upon application. The solvent will evaporate at a rate governed
by temperature but will not be affected by relative humidity.
Exposure to freezing temperatures before cure has taken place
will not damage the film. The time necessary to reach cure should
not be a concern as this process will occur automatically. Exposure
to sunlight will accelerate the curing process. The final film
properties of the cured membrane will be the same regardless of
the time required to achieve cure. EPDM Liquid Rubber will
provide long term protection even under extreme exposure conditions.
It is resistant to temps of 300 degrees F and minus 62 F. Liquid
rubber is water resistant even in an uncured state. An unexpected
rain shower shortly after application will not wash it off. The
slow cure and non-polar nature of EPDM Liquid Rubber gives
it outstanding surface wetting properties. The product does not
fill cracks and crevices but will produce an even film penetrating
even the smallest surface irregularities. When EPDM Liquid Rubber
is applied over porous surfaces such as poured concrete, pinholes
will appear on the surface as the material slowly displaces the
air in the pores. This surface wetting feature enables the product
to be applied in a SINGLE COAT and the still results in complete
film integrity. EPDM Liquid Rubber can be applied to hot
surfaces encountered during the summer. The solvent in the system
will flash off rapidly but the polymer will remain soft long enough
to permit overlapping even after 1-2 hours. The cure rate is still
controlled even at temps up to 120 degrees. The product can, therefore,
be applied on the hottest day. The controlled cure rate also results
in a longer pot life, giving the applicator more than adequate
length of time (4-6 hours depending on temperatures) to use the
mixed quantity of material. Adhesion will increase over time.
Polar surfaces such as metal, concrete and wood result in stronger
adhesion than non-polar surfaces such as asphalts. Most weathered
surfaces including single ply and thermoplastic membranes will
have enough of a surface profile to anchor the EPDM Liquid Rubber

By itself, the EPDM Liquid Rubber membrane will exhibit
the characteristics of its EPDM chemistry i.e. U.V. ozone stability,
excellent ponding water resistance and long-term retention of
flexibility. EPDM Liquid Rubber applied over generally
sound singly ply EPDM can extend its life another 20 years.
The useful life of metal roofs will also benefit greatly when
EPDM Liquid Rubber is applied. It is recommended that a
corrosion inhibitive primer first be applied to areas where
severe rusting has occurred. EPDM Liquid Rubber does not
contain any corrosion inhibiting pigments but it is such an
effective moisture barrier that it can be applied directly over
light rust without a primer. For more information contact epdmcoatings.com
at 610-298-1989
or visit their website at http://www.epdmcoatings.com.
They also have a blog filled with discussions from customers
as well as valuable information on the product at http://liquidroof.blogspot.com/