Comments on: Rubber Roofing (EPDM) – Pros and cons of using rubber flat roofs.

By: Real Roofer

Real Roofer — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:38:16 +0000

Fact of the matter is, no roofing system goes without it’s flaws.
Given the experience of almost all the systems out there. And being around long enough to see the pluses & minuses of each system. I have seen how each has typical failures. Whether breaking down and becoming brittle as PVC does, especially in more extreme climates very hot to very cold seasons etc. The attempts to reactivate the product once it cures etc. in cases of needed repairs additions with tie-ins etc. And I have seen less than experienced folks overheat, under heat the welds etc.
EPDM field membrane is infinite. The adhesive in the seams, uncured/neoprene flashings etc, will start to fail as early as ten years, sometimes they will last 15 or 20. I have also seen inexperienced folks not mix the adhesive properly, not apply the proper thickness or coverage of adhesive, and over work/stretch the flashings to the point where they are paper thin. Or not cleaned enough and not properly adhered.

Both are more prone to penetrations, but once complete, really should not have the opportunity to be penetrated other than when maintenance on roof units/ AC etc are performed. Some mechanics are just don’t care, what happens to the roof, or will purposely oops to make the roofer’s life miserable on purpose.

Modified is an ok system, but needs more maintenance and if not properly/periodically coated. They will fail in 10 years or less. And as any other system, the installing mechanic needs to know what he is doing and have experience when it is being installed. This is the torch down system. The cold applied is pure garbage.

PVC is PVC, in time, and exposure to the sun, air pollution & the enviornment, it will break down, become brittle, and I have personally seen how it delaminates as it breaks down. The old Gates system was notorious for this. As well as becoming completely unable to be reactivated once cured.

There is nothing wrong with trying to sell your product that you may believe in, or maybe that is the one you can sell and warrant without being certified to install and obtain warranty for from the manufacturer. That is business. I wonder what your real roof time & roofing/installation experience is? How many systems have you put on? I would put money on the fact that I was on a roof laying rubber, torching modified, heat welding PVC, and slopping down hot tar before you were even born, or damn near close.

No one on a roof should be wearing a white shirt. If you are you don’t belong up there. Or your an architect that is scratching his head, cause “it worked out on paper and the drawings”. But in real life, it ain’t even close.

Good luck to you. But downplaying one time proven, widely acceptable, specified and respected product, to sell your own, first off eliminates a product you may want to sell in the future. And especially when preying on consumers lack of knowledge & fears, always come bask to bite you in the you know what.

But down playing another product as inferior as the “one” you sell, is just plain BS. And praying on the consumer’s fears to sell your product.

My name is Rob Leonard btw, and I live in Berwick, PA. And have nothing to hide, and no one to hide from.
And yes, I am a real roofer. Not a carpenter, not a drywall installer, not a jack of all trades, master of none.
I am and a damn good sheet metal mechanic also.

By: Leo

Leo — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:58:43 +0000

Hi Real Roofer (too bad you did not leave your name)

I am approving your comment as-is – just fixed a couple of typos.

I appreciate your enthusiasm about the “ohh so great” rubber roofs and against PVC. Also thanks for acknowledging our talents when it comes to marketing a roofing business online. And yes, that is myself and my brother Alex on the picture on front page of our site – I bet you never wore a white shirt – you are a real roof and that’s not what real roofers do

By: Real Roofer

Real Roofer — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:17:35 +0000

I have installed almost every imaginable roofing system available, both residential & commercial.
There is nothing wrong with EPDM rubber roofs. Yes they must be installed correctly.
The training from Carlisle, Goodyear/Versico and other I have experienced were more than 1/5 hrs long and covered much more. Also, every person that attended performed the procedures taught right there on the “test board”. NO, any roofer CANNOT just pick up some EPDM supplies at the local supply house and install it with a warranty from the manufacturer. Any of the GOOD EPDM manufacturers require the installers to be certified! The before the warranty is awarded, the roof & all details etc, MUST be inspected by an inspector via the manufacturer or an independent inspector approved by that company. The upper class manufacturers even offer incentives for so many excellent passing inspections. If anything fails, the smaller things if any can be repaired right then and reinspected. Larger problems must be corrected and reinspected.
SO you sir are full of crap! And merely trying to sell you so called “System”. That if was as truly as great as you say, would be more popular and a standard rather than a fly on the wall, OBSCURE system, like so many before it. I can bet this gets taken off the site here, and if it does, I will post on forums everywhere.

PVC? Are you kidding me? Ive installed those also, heat welded failures. The PVC breaks down and leaks 10x faster than any EPDM or even modified bitumen roof. Your a complete line of BS, and any fool that pays you to put a roof on their house or business without doing their own research will regret every cent.
If that is a photo of you 2 twenty something no nothings, you never were a “roofer” and never will be.
What is you vast years of experience, jobs you have done & scope of the work you performed. Seems like a business course college failure selling BS on the internet.
You’re a snake oil salesman, and like most the rest, prey on consumers lack of knowledge, misinformation and fears. I hope karma comes back to you 10 fold just as you deserve it. Your no roofer, but you slept at a Holiday Inn last night. SCAMMMMM ALERT~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PVC LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh and the “Green” friendly roof system. Explain to your customers about the PVC itself and what is in it and how it is made, then how it is disposed of and where that goes? And also explain the chemicals involved in the washes & caulks etc. Pathetic. You aren’t roofers, your internet marketing kids, selling BS. Good luck with that PVC. I look forward to watching you flop!

A Real Roofer with real hands on knowledge!

By: Leo

Leo — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:41:21 +0000

Nathan,

I’m confused about your comment. The article is aimed to show people the negative sides of rubber roofing – EPDM – and not ot promote some soapbox platform that you are referring to or UNIONS. In fact I’m for the most part against unions and we are not a union roofer, and in no way does this article promote or even refers to unions.

Basically I have no idea what you are talking about.

By: Nathan Fowler

Nathan Fowler — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:28:17 +0000

So this really isn’t about the pros and cons of the roofing system itself but more of a soapbox platform for UNIONS?

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