Tag Archives: EPDM Rubber

Tips to Getting the Most Out of EPDM Rubber

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Whether you’re reroofing your business or your home, or you’re trying to find a way to create a unique fish pond without using a plastic liner, EPDM rubber should be your material of choice. It’s easy to apply, is watertight when fully cured, and offers a wide range of benefits. Unlike other types of rubber, it’s even safe for fish. However, there are things you’ll need to know in order to get the most out of this material. We’ll cover some important tips below.

EPDM Rubber Installation Tips

We’ll start with installation tips to help ensure that you get a good, even coating of EPDM rubber and that it goes on smooth and easy.

Use the Right Tools: You can use a wide range of tools to apply EPDM rubber, but two of the most commonly used and most helpful are paint rollers and sprayers. Rollers allow you to apply an even coating across a roof (or other surface) with ease. We recommend longer handles for easier application, too. Sprayers are also very convenient, particularly for very large roofs and hard to reach areas where a roller or brush might not fit very easily.

One Coat Is Enough: If you’ve spent much time painting, then you’re probably thinking that EPDM rubber will need more than one coat in order to withstand weathering and to look good. That’s usually not the case. In most situations, a single coat will be more than enough. Too many coats will add excess weight to your roof and will also adversely affect curing time.

Waterproof: While many products require curing time before they are waterproof, that is not the case with EPDM rubber. It’s actually waterproof after just a few minutes. However, don’t equate waterproof with fully cured. It will take roughly a week for the coating to completely cure in optimal temperatures and humidity ranges.

Extend the Lifespan

Once applied, you need to ensure that your EPDM rubber coating will stand the test of time. A few basic tips will help you extend its lifespan.

Maintain It: There’s very little that you need to do in the way of maintenance for EPDM rubber, but there are a few things that will help ensure you get the best longevity possible. Twice per year, you should inspect the area. Look for signs of damage or possible leaks. In most cases, minor repairs can be made by simply applying another coat of rubber over the damage. In addition to your visual inspection, you’ll need to remove debris from the area, as well. These can form dams that cause water to back up, and can even help foster mold and mildew growth.

Flashing and Edging: During your inspections, pay close attention to any flashing or edging. If these come loose or are damaged, it could lead to damage of the rubber coating. If you’re required to replace edging or flashing, make sure that the membrane is turned down over the fascia with the metal cover installed over the top.

In Conclusion

EPDM rubber is highly durable and can be used in a very wide range of situations, from commercial roofs to waterproofing in basements. It’s economical, incredibly durable, and readily available. However, like any other product, there are things you need to know to get the most out of it. The information above will help you maximize the lifespan of your rubber application, enjoy ease of installation, and prevent leaks that might damage the substrate under the rubber coating.

5 Tips to Help You Identify and Repair Roof Leaks in Rubber Roof Coatings

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Your roof is a vital component of your home. It protects your interior from the elements, from harsh sunlight, and from temperature extremes. It also helps hold the entire structure together. If you have an EPDM rubber roof, you enjoy significant benefits over other types of roofing systems, such as asphalt shingles. However, you are still subject to leaks, and those can be challenging to locate. In this post, we want to address several tips to help you identify and then repair roof leaks in rubber roof coatings.

Start from the Inside

Finding a leak can be hard, unless it’s so bad that water is visibly dripping from the ceiling of your home, which usually isn’t the case. Often, it is easiest to spot signs of a roof leak from the inside of your home, rather than from the outside. Look at ceilings throughout your home, as well as the walls. You’re looking for darker discolorations, often red or brown. These are signs that water has made it to the sheetrock, penetrated the material, and then dried. If you see any of these markings, you certainly have a leak. However, it might not be directly above the area where the discoloration appears, as water can enter through the roof, run down the underlayment, and then drip down far from where it originally entered the home.

Get Up in the Attic

To find leaks in rubber roof coatings, you will eventually need to get up in your attic or crawl space. This gets you one step closer to the source of the leak and will allow you to further investigate the situation. Once in the attic, go to where you saw the water stains on the ceiling or wall. Use a flashlight to locate water stains on wood or to find wet insulation (which can be challenging to spot on its own).

Follow the Trail

Once you have found where the water is coming from, it’s time to follow the trail. In some instances, you may find that there’s a puncture in the roof and underlayment directly above the space where you noticed the water damage in your home’s interior, but this is not usually the case. You’ll often have to follow the trail from that point to where the water actually entered the home. Remember that water always runs downhill, and it always follows the path of least resistance. With that in mind, try to trace its path back to the point of origin.

Inspect the Top for Damage

In some cases, this may lead you to obvious damage. If you spot a hole in your roof, that’s more than likely going to be the source of your leak. However, you may not find any large gap in the roof. Instead, you’ll find a point between two pieces of roofing underlayment where water entered. To find out what’s really going on, you’ll need to get on top of the roof.

Getting up on the roof of your home is always a dangerous proposition, so be careful. Make sure to have a helper handy in case you fall and need help. Using a ladder, climb up on your roof and go to the area where you believe the water entered the structure. Check for punctures through the rubber, or areas where caulking might be missing. Damaged flashing can also allow water into your home.

Use Liquid Rubber for Repairs

Once the source of the leak is located, rubber roof coatings can be repaired with Liquid Rubber. A single layer of Liquid Rubber gives you a waterproof seal immediately, preventing further water incursion into your home.

TPO vs. EPDM Roofing for RVs: Which is the Best RV Roof Material?

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Choosing the best RV roof material is largely a matter of personal preference. Still, there are some factors that are involved in your decision that you should be aware of before you begin shopping for a new roof. Two of the most popular options on the market for today’s RVs are TPO and EPDM. Both of these are synthetic polymers that are designed specifically for use on RVs and mobile homes. They offer low maintenance roofing solutions, but each has its own pros and cons to consider.

Before you can compare the two, you really have to understand a little more about what they are:

EPDM: This synthetic rubber is designed specifically for roofing, and is available in both liquid and sheet form. When used as a liquid, it will dry to a semi-solid finish, offering a flexible watertight seal. EPDM sheets are dried out and cured, which offers less flexibility but a slightly sturdier finish. This material is usually black, although many liquid products dry to a white finish to offer better UV protection and other benefits.

TPO: This synthetic material is a laminated membrane that is relatively cheap. This roofing material can be attached by mechanical screws or adhesion with glue or other roofing adhesives. Details and seams can be heat welded, or they can simply be glued and sealed. This material can also be combined with fiber reinforcements for added strength, but this can also cause more rigidity, leading to difficulty with installation in some cases.

The Best RV Roof Material is Affordable

Since roofing material selection is more about personal preference, what you can afford matters. The costs involved in TPO roofing are higher because the materials are more difficult to manufacture. Additionally, TPO may require additional products like sealants and the fiber reinforcements mentioned above, so you have more to consider than just the cost of the roofing material itself.

EPDM is an economical solution, and in its liquid form it is even more affordable and easy to install. Why does ease of installation matter to cost? If the process is simple, you can replace your own RV roof and save hundreds, if not thousands, on shop or dealership labor costs.

Another factor to consider when it comes down to cost is the thickness. A thicker membrane is going to perform better and provide longer protection, so you should always choose that option if it is within your budget. After all, spending a little more on a better quality roof now, regardless of whether it is TPO or EPDM, is going to save you from more frequent repairs and replacements in the future.

Installation and Maintenance

TPO roofing typically requires hot air welding for the seams, which is a more complex process. Plus, it is going to be more expensive to install because of the need for specialty tools or a skilled welder to complete the work. On the other hand, EPDM can usually be installed even by the most average handy person. Liquid rubber EPDM products are even easier to install, making them a popular choice among DIYers for their ease of installation and lack of maintenance required.

Speaking of maintenance, this is another area where EPDM rubber roofing does the job better. Rubber roofs, when properly installed, will not require much maintenance in the early years. In fact, with regular cleaning and care, a rubber roof can last a long time with minimal or no need for repairs.

A TPO roof, on the other hand, requires regular resealing for the best protection. Like fiberglass, the seams have no other protectant or adhesive like they do on a rubber roof, and therefore rely solely on the protection of a sealant. Applying and reapplying this product over the years can also cause unnecessary deterioration and damage.

Is EPDM Rubber Roofing Right for You?

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If your business or home has a flat roof, or a low-slope roof, you have options in terms of roofing systems that go beyond conventional asphalt shingles, shakes, and the like. EPDM rubber roofing is one of the most popular options on the market, and it can offer quite a few benefits for business owners and homeowners. However, it is not the right solution for everyone. Is it right for your particular needs? We’ll help you make an informed decision.

A Quick Look at the Benefits of EPDM Rubber Roofing

EPDM offers quite a few benefits and advantages as a roofing material when compared to other options on the market. Understanding these is key to making the right decision.

  • Cost: You’ll find that EPDM rubber roofing is more affordable than many roofing systems on the market. The lower cost per square foot allows you to save money on your construction or re-roofing project that can be reinvested in other areas or saved outright. However, you do not need to worry that because EPDM is low-cost, that you will suffer with low-quality roofing. It is actually stronger and more durable than many other roofing systems used today.
  • Weight: Weight is a significant consideration with any type of roof cladding. The roof system and substrate must be strong enough to handle the load. With other roofing materials, ranging from asphalt shingles to slate or terracotta tiles, the weight can be immense. EPDM rubber roofing is much lighter, helping to reduce stress and strain in your roofing system without sacrificing protection or durability.
  • Durability: The roof of your home or business is one of the most critical components. It must withstand harsh temperatures, direct sunlight, exposure to wind, rain, sleet, snow, and ice, and it must do so for decades without degrading. That’s a tall order to fill for any material, but EPDM rubber roofing does so very well. In fact, it’s one of the most durable materials on the market, with a lifespan surpassing 50 years with correct installation.
  • Ease of Maintenance: Most roofing systems require very little in the way of maintenance, but EPDM rubber roofing is particularly low-maintenance. It simply needs to be cleaned once or twice per year to remove dust. With a quality protectant applied to it, even mildew will not be a problem. Few other roofing materials can claim that – even asphalt shingles can suffer from mildew and mold buildup.
  • Ease of Installation: Installing EPDM rubber roofing is also very simple. In fact, it can be done in mere hours in most cases. Compare that to the days required for other systems and you begin to see just how beneficial this option is. All you need to apply it is a roller and a brush, although a sprayer may also be useful for applying it to large, open areas of the roof quickly and evenly.

The Drawbacks of EPDM Rubber Roofing

While there are many benefits and advantages to using a rubber roof product, there are some cons that you should know about, too.

  • Professional Installation: In most cases, you’ll need to let a professional handle installation to make sure that it’s done right. So, if you’re the DIY type, this is most likely a hands-off sort of project. This also goes for most large-scale repairs, although home and business owners can often handle small repairs on their own.
  • Roof Protrusions: Roof protrusions and other potential problem areas need to be addressed before EPDM rubber roofing is installed to prevent punctures and other damage.

In the end, rubber roofs may not be the right choice for everyone, but they are increasing in popularity thanks to their wide range of benefits and advantages.

A Quick Look at EPDM Rubber Roof Installation Cost

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Ask roofing experts and they will always say that there are many factors that impact the total cost of a roof installation or replacement. These factors can include the size of the roof, pitch of the roof, level of accessibility, and the materials chosen. In this article, we’ll explore the typical EPDM roof installation cost and take a look at the factors that affect its installation.

The Biggest Factors in Any EPDM Rubber Roof Installation Cost

When looking at a EPDM Rubber Roof installation cost (or any roofing installation, for that matter), the largest cost factor is the size of the roof. With flat and low-sloped rooftops, that usually means a relatively simple to calculate figure. As an illustration, roofing is often charged “per roofing square” and this is a ten foot by ten foot area, or one hundred square feet.

EPDM Rubber Roof

EPDM Rubber Roof

So, if your flat-roofed building has a forty thousand square foot size, it is actually 40 roofing squares. The best way to give yourself a relatively accurate estimate of the EPDM roof installation cost is to begin with the actual size of the roof to be covered or re-covered with the EPDM.

The Slope and the EPDM Roof Installation Cost

A real advantage to the use of EPDM is the fact that the complexity of a roof’s design usually boosts the cost of any work done relating to the roof. Large and steeply pitched roofs are very costly to deal with, and it is because the pace of the work is slower. Steeper pitches mean materials cannot remain nearby the worker and special steps are needed to ensure safety.

Flat roofs, however, are easily accessible, materials can be brought to the roof and left in place until the work begins, and worker safety is easier to manage because there is no slope or pitch to struggle against.

The DIY Element

Of course, in looking at the issue of EPDM roof installation cost, we cannot ignore that it is a process that is able to be done on a DIY basis if desired. One of the leading advantages of EPDM is that it does not require lots of specialized equipment or training. Not many commercial property owners will do a massive installation on their own, but they also do not need to hire a huge team of experts with heavy machinery and expensive skills to do the work.

And as to the most basic part of the costs of an EPDM roof – the actual materials themselves – EPDM is ranked as one of the most affordable. It requires very little in terms of materials with nothing more than the rolls of EPDM the adhesives used, and special materials like batten boards and special trims to complete the job properly. Keep in mind that the costs of the job, and the need for roofing experts, may boost the overall price. For instance, you may find that the plywood roofing beneath the old roof needs replacement. That can mean a dumpster at the site to take materials, the new boards and their installation, and any other materials will have to be figured into the price.

If there is any water damage, that too can boost the costs as you may need to replace structural issues or work around everything from skylights and vents to chimneys and more.

The good news is that EPDM has long had a reputation as one of the most affordable roofing options for residential and commercial buildings with low-slope or flat rooftops. Long-lasting, water and weather proof, and even environmentally friendly (they can be recycled whenever they are replaced), they are a good solution if you want a budget-friendly option for your building.