There is no question EPDM roofing membrane is amazing to work with. It is affordable, it can be installed in very little time, and it is long lasting. This is a great opportunity for you to have some prevention in place and to get results. Yet there are mistakes that people need to avoid to get the most value from it.
Don’t Wait
Everyone is busy, but you shouldn’t put off installing EPDM roofing membrane. Don’t wait until you have a roofing issue or notice a water leak. The damages are already done, and they often go much further than what you can see. This can mean your structure is vulnerable and future problems due to that downward spiral.
Instead, put the EPDM roofing membrane in place as a source of prevention. This will offer you an additional layer of protection you can count on. The harsh weather including the high-speed winds aren’t going to get you nervous. Instead, you will be confident to know your roof it going to be in good shape when all is said and done.
Prep your Roof
While you can get plenty of overall value from EPDM roofing membrane, it doesn’t work like magic. You have to invest the time to properly inspect and prep your roof to take care of any problems already in place. Don’t ignore them and just hope for the best or you will end up having to get the work done anyway. Yet you also wasted those materials.
Any loose elements of debris need to be brushed off the roof. You can’t put the materials down flat if there are any materials that will cause it to be raised anywhere. Even small pebbles that could have blown up there can pose a problem.
Edge Flashing
The protection offered by the EPDM roofing membrane can be reduced if you don’t have good edge flashing in place. If you don’t know how to take care of this type of work on your own, it is important to hire someone to come take a look and give you an estimate. It needs to be done well with quality results.
A common mistake made is the edge flashing is placed on top of the new rubber and then secured in place with nails or glue. The correct method is for it to be placed underneath the EPDM roofing membrane. This allows the rubber to extend about an inch off the roof, towards the gutters.
Wrinkles
Never secure the materials in place if you see any signs of wrinkles. For the optimum results, the materials need to be smooth and flat. Any wrinkles are going to reduce the lifespan and the protection the materials are able to offer. This is especially true if those wrinkles happen to be anywhere close to the edges of the rubber.
Secure it in Place
You have the option of using nails or glue to secure the materials in place. If you use nails, make sure they are designed for this type of material. You also want to make sure they are long enough to hold the materials in place. If they are too short, it isn’t going to offer much security. If you opt to use glue, make sure you get a quality product approved for such a project or it won’t stay.
The bonding process does take some time, so it is a good idea to use bricks or other items to press down on the materials. Allow them to sit there the rest of the day before you remove them. Double check all of the seams and fix anything you may have missed.