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Flat Roofing Guide: Flat Roof Repair
Residential Flat Roofs:
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Single Ply Roofing:
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Knowledge Guides: Roofing - Learning center contains Do-it-yourself roofing projects that show steps to repair flat and low slope roofs. Detail roofing guides help you solve common roof problems. Homeowners guide to roofing explains benefits of different roof materials and technology.
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Rubber Roof (EPDM) Repair - DIY How-To Guide
This 'Rubber Roof Do-It-Yourself repair guide' is intended to give you the basic knowledge of how to repair a flat rubber roof. However, such repairs are NOT considered a DIY projects by the roofing industry professionals, and we recommend you to seek help with your roof repair from a professional roofing company specializing in Flat Roofing. If you are located in Massachusetts, Connecticut or Rhode Island, you can contact us by filling out Free Roof Estimate Request form, and we will provide you information and options to solve your roof leaks problems. Rubber or Epdm roofs came to existence in 1960's and since then, billions of sq. feet of rubber roofs have been installed all
over United States. Rubber roofs are probably the Most used flat roofing technology, mainly due to its Very Low cost. Epdm
roofs are very cheap to produce, so most commercial roofing manufacturers jumped the band-wagon and started making them in mass
quantities. While Epdm rubber-like membranes are very common, so are the roof leaks associated with them.
Rubber roof repair How-To in 4 steps. Note: Do not attempt to repair you rubber roof if the outside temperature is below 35-40 degrees, as it might be too cold for the adhesive to dry properly. Consult the sales people at the roofing supply warehouse listed below. Also request installation documents for adhesives and/or seam tape that you will need to purchase. These document will give you exact application requirements and directions. Step 1: Locate the source of leaks Tools you will need: Ladder, Paint-Brushes, Rubber gloves, Seams Probe Tool and Silicone hand roller. These tool can be
purchased from the roofing supply warehouse like Bradco Supply or Harveys Industry or from a local lumber yard. We recommend getting the brushes from the
roofing warehouse, to make sure it is compatible with the adhesive and cleaning solution. Home Depot and Lowe's will probably not
have the hand roller on the probe tool, but you can find something similar there. They will certainly have ladders, and will
usually have a better price on them.
As we stated previously, most of flat roof leaks occur at the seams, so we you will need to inspect all seams on your rubber roof. Once you acquired the needed tools and supplies, you will need to find the source of leaks. To locate the leak in your rubber roof, you will need to actually get on the roof and with a simple probe-tool check all the seams to find the place where adhesive no longer holds the membrane together. Also check all roof penetrations (Pipes, Vents, etc.) and curbs such as Sky-lights and HVAC units. Mark the spots where the seams are broken. If you have loose gravel on the roof, you'll need ti sweep it off the seams with a heavy broom, so it is not in your way. Don not use shovels or any thing that has metal edges as you may cause additional damage to the membrane. Step 2: Prepare your roof for repair Now that you've located the source of your roof leaks, you need to clean the surface of the rubber, so you can apply the
adhesive and/or seam tape. With cloth and warm water, throughly wash off as much dirt as you can and let the it dry. Do not use
Step 3: Applying Adhesive and/or Seam Tape Use the brush to apply the adhesive to both surfaces of the seams. Try to get the adhesive as deed as you can under th top
sheet of membrane (6-8 inch wide seams a recommended). Also thoroughly apply adhesive to 'corners' - where you pulled seams apart
and the new adhesive comes in contact with the old one.
Step 4: Testing the seams and applying the Seam Tape Now your newly-repair seams should be dry and ready to be tested. Use the seam probe to test all seams that you have repaired.
If you followed the previous directions and used the silicone roller, your seams should be like new, and the probe should not be
able to split the seams. If you do find imperfect adhesive bond, repeat Step 3 by reapplying the adhesive and using the silicone
roller to apply pressure.
Conclusion Now that you have done the seams repair, you eliminated the leaks. However, even when done by a professional, such repair job
usually lasts up-to one year. Sometimes as little as only 6 month. There are many factors affecting the length of the rubber roof
repair.
There are many more reasons why your roof may and probably will begin to leak again. Check out our Flat Roof Repair Guide for more info regarding the causes of leaks and what to do when they
happen.
Disclaimer: This 'Rubber Roof repair guide' is intended for informational and reference purposes
only. We do not recommend implicitly or explicitly, to anyone, performing any of the procedures described in this guide. We are
also not responsible for any property damage or personal injuries resulting from following this informational guide.
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