Rubber roofs are one of the more commonly used flat roofing technologies in the United States, as billions of sq. feet of the material have been installed on countless buildings. However, as with a majority of flat roof styles, if left unattended for lengthy periods of time, EPDM roofs may develop obvious signs of deterioration.

Rubber Roof Inspection

Rubber or EPDM roofs were invented in the 1960’s, and since then, they have been installed on countless homes and commercial centers. The reason for their popularity can be attributed to the fact that they are fairly cheap to both purchase and install. Furthermore, the rubber roofs are somewhat resilient to the elements, as most EPDM membranes carry warranties for 30-40 years.

However, as with most flat roofs, the faults lie not in the materials themselves, but in the seams between them. This is especially true with EPDM roofs, as the seams between rubber membranes are prone to deterioration and leakage. Therefore, the best means in which to avoid costly repairs to the roof of your home or commercial center is inspect the area regularly.

Unfortunately, if you do find a section of your roof that does need repair, it is strongly advised that you contact someone from the professional roofing industry to repair it for you. However, if the repair is fairly minor, you may perform it at your own risk.

Rubber Roof Repair

The tools you may need for the job are basic, as you will need to acquire a seam probe tool, a silicone hand roller, ladder, paint-brushes, rubber gloves, solvent-based cleaning solution for seams, and an EPDM seam adhesive and/or seam tape.

After locating the leak, clean the surface of the rubber with a cloth and warm water (or cleaning solution). Once the leak or damage is located, cleaned, and all prior adhesives and/or membranes removed, you can go ahead and apply adhesive tape. The tape is pressure activated so the hand roller can help you with that task. After that you should be done!

Remember, repairing your EPDM roof can be a complicated and dangerous task, so it is highly recommended that you contact a professional roof repairer upon discovering damage or a leak.