A Typical EPDM Roof Life Expectancy

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Greg Kaz.

If you are the owner of a flat or low-slope roofed building (whether residential or commercial), and you are in need of a new roofing material, you might have already heard of EPDM. Experts in building and design have long known that it is a remarkably durable material that installs easily and comes with a very budget-friendly price. In this guide, we’ll also look at the typical EPDM roof life expectancy and just why it is probably an optimal solution to your roofing needs.

What is EPDM Anyway?

EPDM is an oil-based rubber material that can be easily applied to a flat or low-sloping rooftop. It is often described as a DIY-friendly material, too, because it does not involve any specialized skills or tools to install correctly and effectively. Preparing the area properly is also going to have an effect on any EPDM roof life expectancy.

EPDM Roofing

Why? If you want to get the very most EPDM roof life out of an installation, it means you’ll have to consider what issues might shorten or interfere with a longer life span on the material. Generally, it is the following factors that can shorten the roofing material’s life span and decrease its performance:

Moisture – Any EPDM roof life expectancy can be shortened if the materials are applied to wood a foundation that is damp or retaining moisture. This can cause adhesives to fail or for trapped moisture to degrade the base materials quickly.
Debris – The prep work before installation involves removal of old asphalt and oil-based materials, as well as ensuring there are no sharp surfaces or pieces of debris that could work away at the backside of the roofing, causing a tear or fracture in the future, and leading to leaks inside the building.
Poor drainage – Preparing a roof for EPDM means ensuring that water drains away from the rooftop and into gutters. This means the installation of batten boards and other trim that channels water where it needs to go. It also means that installation requires flashing to help channel water away from vulnerable surfaces and/or joints between the EPDM and other parts of the building.

A trustworthy EPDM guide can help you learn all about the appropriate steps to take before, during and after installation. Each of these steps can prolong or ensure the long EPDM roof life you desire.

The Average EPDM Roof Life

And just what is the average life span of an EPDM installation. Generally, experts know that a well done installation provides a property owner with 40 to 50 years of roof life, or more. Regular maintenance and inspections can detect any issues or signs of trouble and extend the life span of the roof for even longer.

A Lesser Known Benefit of EPDM

And though you might read that EPDM has a long life and can withstand exposure to such things as UV light, extremes of heat and cold, structural movement and more, it is also important to recall that it is a greener sort of roofing. Not only because it lasts for such a long time, though, but also because it takes much less energy to produce and when it is replaced in later years the original material is entirely recyclable.

If you are considering a new material for a low-sloped or flat roofed building, you have several ways you can go. However, if you need a cost-effective, low maintenance and easy to install option that can last for many years to come, then it is EPDM. Available in different colors, thicknesses and widths, it can cover large or small areas affordably and over a very long span of time.

EPDM and the Environment

Posted on October 11, 2018 by Greg Kaz.

More and more people today are concerned with the environment and going green, and they want to make choices that are sustainable. This includes when it comes to the buildings they own and the roofs on those buildings, particularly in the commercial sector. Builders and buyers alike are looking for ways that they can create environmentally friendly roofing systems, and one of the best options on the market is EPDM, or Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. This material offers a number of benefits that help to make it an environmentally friendly product, and it could be the perfect option for your business.

Energy Efficient Roof

Energy efficiency is important, and this is one of the areas where EPDM can truly excel. The product is available in both white and black. This means that it can work well to accommodate different types of environments when it comes to being energy efficient.

If the white EPDM is used in a climate that tends to be warm and get a lot of sunshine, it can help to keep the building cooler. The white will reflect the sunlight. This can help to reduce the use of air-conditioning. For those that live in colder climates, having the black roofing can help, as it will more readily absorb the sunlight to keep the building warmer. This means reduced heating costs throughout much of the year.
In fact, a study conducted by Ashley-McGraw Architects have shown this to be the case. They found that using white roofing will provide 30% higher thermal heat loss than the black roofs.

Highly Durable and Long-Lasting

Another way that EPDM is environmentally friendly is in its durability. It’s very common for the coatings on roofs to last and stay in great shape for decades. They are not going to need to be recoated and repaired every year, which means less of the product is being used. Not only is this good for the environment, but it shows that EPDM is also a good value.

A study by a strategic environmental consulting firm called GreenTeam, Inc. found that EPDM performs better than other similar types of roof assemblies. They found that it has a lower environmental impact than asphalt, TPO, and PVC roofing systems.

Another one of the benefits of EPDM that helps it to last so long is the fact that it is not a rigid, inflexible material. You will find that the rubber can expand and contract with the weather, which means there is a far less likelihood of it cracking and allowing for leaks.

Applying the EPDM

If you want to have a quality roofing system that is environmentally friendly, you will find that EPDM tends to be fast and relatively easy to install. In fact, depending on the size of the roof, the slope of the roof, and the amount of time you have, it is a project that you could conceivably complete on your own. However, if you do not have the time or inclination to do it on your own, you can find some great roofing companies that can take care of the installation for you.

EPDM (ETHYLENE PROPYLENE DIENE MONOMER)

During the application process, be sure to follow all of the guidelines from the manufacturer to ensure proper installation. This includes cleaning and preparing the roof before you begin, applying a single coat, and ensuring you are following safety guidelines while applying.

Whether you choose to install the EPDM on your own or hire someone to do it for you, it is worth it. The peace of mind it can offer, along with the environmental friendliness, are priceless.

Liquid EPDM Coatings are aftermarket roof sealants

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Greg Kaz.

A number of aftermarket roof sealants are available, including urethanes, acrylics and liquid rubber. Liquid EPDM rubber is by far the most durable of the sealants available and has the widest range of applications.

It is more water resistant than other rubbers, including neoprene. It is more resistant to swelling and has a wider range of acceptable temperatures. It can be applied directly to practically any roofing material other than asphalt and can even be used on wood that has been primed.

Liquids have an obvious advantage over sheets. Sheets have seams. Seam sealers eventually deteriorate and water gets through the seams and under the sheeting.

Liquid EPDM can be used on top of neoprene, although some pre-treatment of the surface is required. Just knowing that the liquid rubber is recommended for use on top of the other type of rubber should be an indication that the material is more durable.

Liquid EPDM can also be used on top of polyurethane after a light sanding. It is somewhat surprising that urethanes are still used as aftermarket roof sealants. It is known that the structure is damaged by UV light and that discoloration occurs relatively quickly. Anyone who has made the mistake of using urethane as a roof sealant should consider applying liquid EPDM to truly protect the roof.

The liquids can also be used to seal existing leaks. They are self-adhering and fill up tiny fractures that let water through. It is a good idea to use a thick coat and cover the entire surface instead of attempting to only cover the leaky area.

When covering the entire roof, the liquid rubber reduces heat buildup. Not only does the roof stay cooler, but the interior of the building or the vehicle will also stay cooler. This benefit may reduce heating costs and keep the occupants more comfortable.

Liquid EPDM has become the most popular choice for RV roofs, because of all the above-mentioned advantages. It extends the lifespan of the roof and requires less maintenance. It lasts up to three times longer than any other aftermarket RV camper rubber roof sealant and also reduces noise from rain.

As far as price goes, most sealants are similar in price. Depending on where you buy, EPDM may be a little more expensive, but because primers and additional coats are not usually necessary, and because it lasts so much longer, owners who choose this aftermarket roof sealant save money in the long run.

Maintaining Your Metal Roof

Posted on January 4, 2012 by webmaster

Metal roofs are a lot less work than other kinds of roofs when it comes to maintenance, and can provide your home with protection for generations if taken care of properly. All metal roofs will come with a protective coating; however, this coating may not last very long. Therefore, the first and best step you will ever make in protective maintenance of your metal roof is to cover it with a new, reliable protective coating. Several different choices of metal EPDM coating are available and they include polymeric and asphalt coatings.

Roof coating applications

Most metal roofs are constructed using long metal sheets or with metal tiles. It doesn’t matter what kind of material is used on your roof, there is going to be a danger that, at every intersection where the tiles or sheets are overlapped, leaks can occur. Metal roofs will usually wear fastest around the ridge and valley of the roof, as well as around the fascia board. This can be avoided with proper maintenance.

What’s Necessary

The majority of metal roofs are protected by being either aluminized or galvanized, or else they are painted with galvalume protective coating. Each of these materials is pretty much maintenance free, although regular cleaning is a necessity. However, it is better to add your own, high-performance protective coating if you want true piece of mind.

Out of all the different protective metal roof paints available, perhaps one of the best ones is Polyyinylidene Fluoride or PVDF. PVDF can increase the strength of the metal on your roof, it is resistant to chemicals and corrosive substances, it offers the highest weather resistance, protection from UV rays and it is even resistant to fungi. When you apply a PVDF treatment to your metal roof, you should only need to check it every 9 or 10 years to see if a new coat is required, while other metal roof finishes such as plastisol, acrylic and urethane will need checking after just 3 to 5 years.

Metal Roof Sealants

There are many great and innovative new solutions for metal roof sealing. Traditionally used ashphaultic sealants have been outperformed when compared to newer products such as the micro sealant called EternaBond. This new product comes as a large roll of sticky tape and can be applied easily by anyone, even somebody with no experience. The EternaBond tape offers great resistance to temperature extremes and inclement weather, and it’s a good fix for leakages too. However, it’s worthwhile to know that while a sealant such as this is great for patch up jobs, employing preventative measures such as a EPDM roof coatings means that it’s unlikely you will ever need to use a sealant.

Things to Know

Before undertaking any maintenance we recommend that you consult a roofing expert about all the safety precautions you should take before climbing onto the roof.

The following steps should be followed carefully when it comes to carrying out metal roof maintenance work:

Do not allow different kinds of metal to be touching one another. When different metals touch, chemical reactions can occur and cause the metal to corrode.
Be vigilant and make sure the paintwork is always touched up. This will help to prevent rust.
As soon as you spot a hole or an open seam, repair it immediately, do not delay!
Smaller holes can be covered with either roofing cement, or else the EternaBond tape that was discussed previously. Large holes need to be patched and soldered into place with the same kind of metal as the roof is made from.
Any screws that you use must be of the same kind of metal as the roof.
When screwing plates or sheets into place, make sure you always use a washer, and install the screw into a raised area rather than low areas as this can lead to water pooling and eventual leaks.
Use only non-corrosive metal flux with steel roofs. For copper roofs, acid flux is best.

These are the tools necessary for carrying out metal roofing repairs:

Galvanized metal
Screws of the same type of metal as the roof
Roof coating such as PVDF
A putty knife
Butyl tape or EternaBond tape
Roofers caulk
Wire brush
Snips

Steps to take when patching a hole:

Firstly, clean the area around the hole thoroughly, washing away all dust.
Cut a good sized piece of galvanized metal that covers the hole easily. You should have a bearing of 2 or 3 inches over the edge of the hole.
Tape the galvanized metal sheet into place with the butyl tape.
Screw the sheet into the roof, spacing the screws out every 2-3 inches.
Seal the edges of the sheet and around the screws with caulk.
Finally, cover the new patch with PVDF roof coating.

Keep Your Roof From Leaking With Liquid EPDM

Posted on December 28, 2011 by webmaster

A roof leak can not only be troublesome, it can be costly. Both the damage done by the leaking water itself and the cost of repairing the roof can quickly add up. Rather than spend a lot of time, money and effort hiring professionals to repair your roof why not do it yourself with the only product that’s easy to use, cost efficient and extremely durable?

There’s no reason to endure lengthy and costly repairs when you can use liquid EPDM to cover your roof and prevent leaking, cracking and other damage from the elements. Constructed using the same chemical composition as traditional sheet EPDM Coating, liquid EPDM gives you the added bonus of flexibility and ease of use so you can handle those repairs yourself.

While traditional sheet EPDM can trap air underneath, leading to cracking and breaking later on, liquid EPDM goes on in one smooth coat and is designed to expel excess air during the curing process so that you are left with a strong, water and airtight seal. And because liquid EPDM will expand and contract with the roof’s surface when the temperature changes, there is less likelihood of weather related damage resulting in a roof leak.

Anyone who has ever had to undergo roof repairs knows how stressful that can be. Normally, it involves calling in professionals and having them use bulky materials for repairs that only add extra weight to your roof. Liquid EPDM can be applied by almost anyone and goes on in one smooth and easy coat so your roof is not bearing any excess weight.

The flexibility of liquid EPDM allows it to be applied to almost any type of roof, from commercial and residential to RV’s, trailers and boats. It can be quickly and easily molded to fit any surface and within hours it will cure to form a watertight seal that can endure ponding water year round.

Not only will liquid EPDM negate the need for professional repairs, because it can be applied in one coat, it also helps you to avoid the cost of applying multiple layers or using a primer. Again, this cuts down the cost of repairing a roof leak considerably. And the unique composition of EPDM Coatings is not only watertight, but will reduce both rain noise and heat build-up to keep you cooler and more comfortable.

Liquid EPDM has been proven to outlast almost any other roofing substance. Acrylics, urethanes and other elastomers just don’t measure up. Nothing else provides the peace of mind and cost effectiveness of liquid EPDM. It’s the one stop solution for all roof repair needs, from industrial to residential and on surfaces ranging from concrete to metal.

You want a dependable roof over your head, so don’t waste your time with messy and costly repairs. Use liquid EPDM and get it done right the first time with a secure seal that will last for years to come. Consider liquid EPDM for your roofing needs and you won’t be disappointed!