In days of old, flat roofs were made of asphalt, with gravel used as ballast. This made it very difficult to locate the source of a leak, as the gravel would hide it better than the illustrations in a Where’s Waldo book. Now, thanks to the invention of rubber membrane roofing, this problem has largely been eliminated.

The Rise of Rubber

In recent years, rubber has grown in popularity as a roofing material. Whilst rubber roof shingles are available for those who want to maintain a traditional appearance for their roof, rubber membrane roofing is the most common option for those with flat or gently sloping roofs. Coming in either roll or sheet form, it allows people to seamlessly cover most roofs. It can even be used on your RV.

The rubber membrane roofing material is known as EPDM, which stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, and comes in a variety of different thicknesses.

45 mil EPDM, about the thickness of a dime, should be sufficient for most flat roofs, but in areas with an increased risk of puncture, such as a place with overhanging tree branches that could fall and pierce the roofing membrane, 60 mil (about the thickness of a quarter) and 90 mil EPDM is also available.

EPDM first came to prominence as a roofing material in the late 1970s, after a history of being used in hoses, tires and other molded products since the early 1960s. In the last decade or so, it has really taken off in popularity, and now has a 22% market share among roofers, making it the most popular material for new roofs as of February 2007.

Rubber Membrane Roofing for Your RV

One area in which rubber membrane roofing is becoming increasingly popular is as a roofing material for recreational vehicles, or RVs. As with flat-roofed housing, it has gained in market share with RV owners over the last few years because of its light weigh and ease of installation. It has disadvantages over more traditional metal or fiberglass RV roofs, however, due to the risk of being torn by overhanging branches.

RV owners should maintain their rubber membrane roofing at least twice a year by cleaning it with warm soapy water and applying two coats of UV protectant spray.

It is possible to buy a complete kit containing everything you need to install rubber membrane roofing on your RV. These kits contain the rubber membrane roof itself, the adhesive needed to affix it to the RV and butyl tape to seal around the edges. They are available from all good RV supplies stores.

This article will provide a step by step guide to rubber roof installation for those who wish to perform this task themselves rather than employ the services of a professional roofer.

What You Will Need

The list of items required for rubber roof installation is a fairly short one. Apart from the roofing material itself, all you will need is a utility knife or scissors, bonding adhesive, a paint roller to apply the adhesive and a broom to sweep away any debris. In addition, it is advisable to wear gloves to protect your hands and some form of eye protection. If you are installing a rubber roof over top of an existing roof, you will also need some kind of plywood base board to lay underneath the rubber.

In order to bond properly with the rubber membrane, the base board should be sanded, thoroughly cleaned and completely dry. If you plan to attach the rubber to vertical surfaces such as walls, you may need some metal strips to affix the rubber properly. You can buy inexpensive aluminum termination bars especially for this purpose.

Rubber Roof Installation Step By Step

If you are installing black rubber roofing, it is best to do so on a cool, dry day with a fair amount of cloud cover. Not too cool, though, since latex bonding adhesive requires an ambient air temperature of at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or 10 degrees Celsius, for a period of 48 hours after application.

One needs to get the temperature just right, because on a bright, sunny day, the rubber roofing membrane can become hot very quickly due to the black rubber absorbing the heat from the sun’s rays. Also, since the rubber is very heavy, it is advisable to have at least one other person to help you with it.

The good news is that rubber roofing material comes in rolls of anything up to 50 feet wide and 100 feet long, so the amount of cutting and shaping that you will need to do is fairly minimal, especially when compared to tile roofing. It should be possible to cover most roofs seamlessly.

You are now ready to begin the installation of your rubber roof. Start by sweeping the roof thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.

Once the roof is clean, you can begin applying the latex bonding adhesive with the paint roller. Make sure that the adhesive is applied evenly, to prevent air bubbles in the rubber, and be careful not to paint yourself into a corner. Lay down the rubber roofing and then sweep it again with the broom to make sure that it lies flat against the surface and that there are no wrinkles.

Wait half an hour for the adhesive to bond, and then repeat the sweeping, from the center outwards. Use the scissors or utility knife to trim any unwanted rubber from above the termination bars, if applicable, and apply latex tape over any seams that may exist.

Your rubber roof installation should now be complete for a typical flat roof. A more complicated roof, for example one that is an odd shape or has pipes and other fixtures that you need to work around, may require more specialist advice. Home improvement stores should be able to advise you of any special equipment you may need, or whatever else you need to take into consideration when dealing with the hard cases in rubber roof installation.

When merely patching up your rubber roof with sealant or tape is not enough, it may become necessary to apply a new coating to your rubber roof. Rubber roof coatings come in two varieties, a liquid rubber that you apply like a coat of paint, and rubber sheeting that is bonded to your original rubber roof installation with a special adhesive. In this article, we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of each type of rubber roof coating.

Liquid Rubber Roof Coatings

Liquid coatings for your rubber roof come in a range of colors, most commonly black, white and grey, in order to match the original color of the roof. They are applied with a brush or roller, just like paint, and you can apply up to six coats, depending on how thick the replacement rubber needs to be.

This makes it a more versatile solution than sheeting. No primer or top coat is needed; the liquid rubber is applied straight to the surface. Manufacturers claim that liquid rubber roof coatings can extend the life of a rubber roof by up to 20 years if applied correctly.

When applying liquid rubber roof coatings, you must be sure to take care that the surface is even. If you have ever seen a rushed paint job, you will know how ugly uneven paint can be. Now imagine that applied to the surface of a flat roof. If your supposedly flat roof resembles a topographic map of the Himalayas, it would not only look bad (which doesn’t really matter that much, since few people will see your roof), but could also cause surface water to gather in the ridges after a rainstorm, a process known as ponding.

This makes it more difficult for the water to evaporate once the rain clouds part, and can shorten the lifespan of the coating. However, you have to bear in mind that rubber roof coatings are extremely durable, and so will not bubble and crack like other roofing materials, so this shortened lifespan is only relative. But naturally, most people will want to prolong the life of their roof as much as they can anyway, and taking that little extra care provides a way to do this.

The Use of Sheeting for Coating Rubber Roofs

Rubber roof coatings also come in sheet form. Some manufacturers will provide them custom made for the shape of your roof, in sheets of up to 10,000 square feet. If you are looking for a less expensive solution, you can buy them off the shelf. Sheets should be applied in a grid-like fashion, with the edges slightly overlapping. Make sure that the joins are airtight, otherwise water could seep in between them.

The advantage of this type of rubber roof coating is that it is easier to apply than liquid coating, though it does require a primer and the use of special adhesive to make sure that it bonds to the original surface correctly. One must be careful to lay it absolutely flush with the original surface, otherwise air bubbles could appear underneath the rubber sheet.

One of the greatest advantages of rubber roofing is that it requires very little maintenance. But occasionally, your rubber roof will need repair. This article presents a quick and easy guide to show you how to repair your rubber roof, should it ever become necessary to do so.

Sealants for Rubber Roof Repair

Whilst very serious repairs may require replacement of your rubber roof coating, minor rubber roof repairs can be carried out using a liquid rubber sealant cement that comes in a tube, or by applying special rubberized tape. Tubes of rubber roof repair sealant cement typically come in 10oz sizes, and contain oils mixed with the liquid rubber that help it to penetrate and fill any cracks that may have appeared.

You can also buy tapes to help in rubber roof repair. Ordinary duct tape won’t do the trick here. The tape needs to be a specialized type made specifically for repairing rubber roofs. It is made from a combination of resins and rubber, and is backed with a powerful adhesive that is able to withstand extreme heat and cold, and which is resistant to ultraviolet rays, so that it does not deteriorate due to the ravages of the weather. Liquid rubber cement for rubber roof repair comes in a variety of colors, in order to match the color of your roof.

The Effect of Cleaning on Rubber Roof Surfaces

In 1992, the US Army released the results of a study assessing the results of 16 different cleaning methods on the rubber roofs of its installations when preparing them for patching. The study concluded that the application of a droplet of dimethyl formalmide, commonly abbreviated to DMF, applied with an eyedropper, can adequately indicate the bonding condition of aged rubber roofing. It recommended that all contaminants be removed, so that the original color of the roofing material is restored, before any patch is applied.

When cleaning rubber roofs for repair, make sure that you change brushes or cloths often, to avoid re-depositing dirt on the surface. The Army’s recommended method for cleaning was a wire brush applied to an electric drill, to apply vigorous abrasion to the surface.

The results of this study show the durability of rubber roofing. With cleaning, the condition of the roofing can be returned to almost the same as when it was new. Such cleaning allows it to be patched in such a way that it can last a lifetime, even if a crack or wear and tear should occur.

Owners of homes with flat and extremely low sloping roofs have traditionally had a problem with leaks. Because there is no way for rainwater to roll off, it builds up and eventually seeps through the ceiling. Rubber roofing offers a solution, as it repels rainwater, allowing it to dry naturally.

Advantages of Rubber Roofing

Rubber roofing has a number of advantages over traditional felt flat roofs. With felt roofs, the slightest tear can cause the roof to leak. Rubber roofing is durable, lasting anything up to 50 years without needing to be replaced, and does not tear anywhere near as easily as felt. It can survive in temperatures ranging from -62 degrees to 300 degrees Fahrenheit without cracking or deteriorating. It is low maintenance—rubber roof repair is easy and can be done by merely applying a low-cost rubberized solution available at any hardware or building supplies store.

Rubber roofing adds value to your home, too. It has a class A fire rating and is favored by most home insurance companies. Finally, it is an excellent insulator. It can absorb heat in hot weather and release it in colder weather, thus reducing your heating and air conditioning bills.

Another advantage of rubber roofing is cost effectiveness. It is by far the least expensive type of single-ply flat roofing material and weighs less than a third as much as slate roofing tiles.

Disadvantages of Rubber Roofing

Not everyone is enamored of rubber roofing, however. Modified bitumen roofing systems being erroneously described as “rubber roofing” has sometimes caused realtors and building inspectors a headache. In addition, there is a very low margin of error for roofers.

If installed incorrectly, it can leak even worse than felt roofing. Fortunately, most rubber roofing manufacturers offer certification schemes to ensure that their products are fitted properly. Make sure your rubber roof is installed by a roofer with the appropriate certification, unless you are doing it yourself, in which case you need to make sure that every seam is flush and that there are no gaps.

Rubber roofing is also relatively new to the market, so there could be problems that have not been noticed yet. They first appeared around 30 years ago, which is generally regarded as the minimum lifespan for this type of roof, so the first ones are starting to wear out around now. The effects of this will become clear as time progresses. Until then, they remain a hard-wearing and inexpensive option for people with flat roofs.

A damaged roof can be disastrous for the entire house as it makes the entire structure weak. Hence you must repair the roof as soon as you spot any defects. There are numerous roof leak repair products available that can be used to keep the roofs intact even when there are harsh weather conditions. Roofs are built and designed to protect your home from bad weather conditions, not to make conditions worse.

There are many different types of roofs and each types needs to be handled differently for roof leak repair. There are many roof styles such as gable, cross gabled, mansard, hip, pyramid hip, cross hipped, saltbox, gambrel, flat, bonnet and shed. Various roofing materials are asphalt shingles, sheet metals, cement tiles, wood shakes or shingles, slate and rubber roofing. Each material and type needs to be treated differently when doing roof leak repair.

Looking for Damages

Peeling paint, mold, ceiling water stains, damp odours, peeling wallpaper or wet spots are the signs of leaky roof. It is not easy to locate the leaking spot as it may not be directly above the place from where the water is coming out. In case of roofs, prevention is always better than cure hence inspecting roof from time to time will help you detect problems before they become worse.

Some Useful Tips

Before you start roof leak repair, make sure that the roof is not wet as wet roof can be extremely slippery. To climb up the roof, use a safe ladder and always use safety ropes. For traction, it is advisable to wear rubber-soled shoes. Once you are up on the roof to start roof leak repair, look for the missing, chipped, warped or cracked shakes or shingles. Clean the area well and get rid of any debris.

It is best to roof leak repair during spring as it prepares the roof for harsh winters with ice dams and snow build up that can reek havoc on the gutters, shingles and overall structure of your house.

Roof Leak Repair

When dealing with roof leak repair, just keep in mind that most of the roof leaks are caused by defective flashings or improper installations. Never get on to the wet roof and get hold of a stable ladder to get on the top. If possible, get someone to help you while working on the roof. Avoid working during the daytimes, especially during summers. Clean the place that needs repairing prior to working but do not use pressure washer as the force can damage the shingles. Clean the gutter properly to avoid buildup of rainwater.

Small roof leak repairs can be done with the help of Do-It-Yourself kits available at hardware stores. But, if there is a major damage, get roofing professional who is certified and has experience in dealing with the kind of roof your house has.

Slate has always been considered excellent to be used for roofs as it has long life, resists hail and is fireproof. This kind of roof is usually seen in churches, custom homes and country club houses. These slates are available in many colours, grades, sizes and weights. Though they have a long life, you need to do some slate roof repair periodically when you see some cracks in it or when you feel that it has become brittle. Roof leak repair is a specialized field and most people seek professionals who have certifications and experience in repairing particular roof types.

Individual pieces of slate are attached together using nails and they are fastened in a way much like you hand a painting on the wall. If you pound the nail too tight, it will pinch the slate.

The inappropriate pounding can also cause cracks in the surrounding slates, hence there is no room for error. Other factors affecting condition of the slate roof are roof slope, condensation in attic interiors, mineral deposits, moss on slates, roof framing and quality of slater’s work.

Almost all the slate roofs have some slate, flashing or any other kind of mechanically installation error or damage. Leaks through these can be caused due to prolonged rains, during windy rainfalls or due to water backup behind ice dams.

Assessing the Roof

If you spot the leak in your slate roof and think that it is time for some slate roof repair, you can take the services of a roofer for initial consultation. This is an important stage of any slate roof repair, hence it is advisable to not rush through it. Once the problem is fully diagnosed, the roofer will tell you the exact problem along with solutions and total cost. For slate roof, it is better to repair them than to replace them as they have a longer life.

Slate roofs are most commonly seen in higher end homes as they are quite expensive and it is hence advisable to get slate roof repair done by certified professional.

Starting Slate Roof Repair

If you decide to do the slate roof repair yourself, some of the things that you will need are extension ladder, safety goggles, work gloves, hammer, replacement slate, nail ripper, nail set, slate hook and scrap piece of lumber. Just bear in mind that slate is very slippery especially when set.

When you start slate roof repair, just keep in mind that all the broken slates have to be replaced. For removing the slate, first wear the work gloves and then use hook the nail ripper under the slate and over the shaft of the nail and use hammer it to cut the nail.

Once, the slate is out, the roof is now ready for a new one. Cut the new slate so that it fits in that space and insert it gently and hook its lower edge on the slate hook. Use a temporary wedge so that existing slates are not broken. Repeat this procedure for all the broken slates.

Mobile home roof repair can be a daunting task, even if the repairs required are very small. Repairing mobile homes roof is different from working on conventional roofs such as metal roof repair or slate roof repair. But, it is easier to find out if roof of the your mobile home needs repairs. The silver coating will start showing cracks and will have a thinner appearance. There will also be gaps in the seams where metal is folded over itself.

Starting Mobile Home Roof Repair

Before you start mobile home roof repair, you need few things such as ladder, some essential tools, brushings, rolling, spatula, paint tray, thinner, fibre fill, sealer and roof coating. There are many different types of coatings available such as silver coating, rubber coating and elastomeric coating.

To start the mobile home roof repair, you need to get on the roof, but don’t use pipes or other things to get there. Take a ladder that is tall enough to reach the roof and step on the beams rather than stepping between them. Before you put your step, press it with your hand to feel the solid surface underneath. Try to feel the solid beam under the metal and this is the perfect place where you want to step.

If the roof is leaking around the pipes and the gap is more than ¼ inch, you will have to fill it using glass fibre. Put some black sealer on it and after it dries, paint it with any type of roof coating. Start at one end of the roof and cover the entire roof all the way till the other end. If you use elastomeric coating, you will not have to do mobile home roof repair for five to ten years.

To make the roof of mobile last longer and avoid mobile home roof repairs, you can put rubber sheet over insulation sheet as this will not only add to the insulation, but will also seal the entire top in one shot. This is a tedious procedure and its better to get a professional do it for your mobile home.

Safety Tips While Doing Mobile Home Roof Repairs

During summertime, avoid working outside in middle of the day so that you can avoid direct sunlight. It you start early, you can get break during afternoon and finish off the work by evening. It is good to have help available for small tasks such as holding the ladder or handing over something when you are not in the position to get it yourself. You must be extra careful while cutting the metal sheets as the edges are extremely sharp. For coating, follow all the directions carefully and dispose off any leftovers.

There are many metals such as stainless steel, steel, copper, aluminium, and zinc alloys that are used as roofing materials. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages and offers properties that affect its durability and appearance.

Steel is most commonly used material for metal roofing as it is sturdier and heavier as compared to other metals such as aluminium. Various coatings are available to protect steel from corrosion and rust. Usually, zinc is used for coating to provide sealing and corrosion protection.

Stainless steel roofing is quite expensive but at the same time, is quite durable. Aluminium is very lightweight and is quite commonly used in metal roofing for residential houses. It does not rust but needs coating or painted to look attractive. Copper also does not rust but is also quite expensive.

Metal Roof Repair

Metal roofs are usually quite durable but they need repairs occasionally. As general maintenance, you should pull out the loose nails and re-nail them, seal up the leaks and take care of any signs of deterioration as preventive measures.

Some of the common issues that call for metal roof repair are metal rust, flashings and seam leaks. Corrosion or rusting occurs when the galvanization of the roof wears out exposing the bare metal underneath. Most of the leaks in metal roofing are caused due to bad flashing design along the penetrations.

Before you start metal roof repair, few things that you need are roofing cement, pliers, wire brushes, all-purpose cleaners, sandpapers, tin snips, solder and soldering guns/irons.

To start metal roof repair, identify the metal of the roof and get the piece of same metal so that patch can be made. You need an all-purpose cleaner to clean the damaged area and then allow it to dry. Clean all the debris using a wire brush. Measure the damaged area and then cut the patch at least 2 inches bigger than that.

To cut the corner, use tin snips. Edges must be folded carefully and then use the sandpaper till these folds are shinier than rest of the patch. Put this patch on the surface being repaired and put a brick or cinder block to weight it down.

For metal roof repair to work well and be effective, solder the entire patch carefully with the help of a soldering iron. Make sure there are no open spaces left and then cover the roof area with the roofing cement. Put the patch over the area being repaired and then apply one more coat of roofing cement.

If you are dealing with mobile home roof repair, it does not cost much and is not time consuming. Small leaks can be fixed with the help of roof coating but if the holes and rustic spots are big, you can use the same material patch to cover it up. However, if there are many holes especially the big ones, it is advisable to replace the entire roof.

Flat roofs are made up of layer of tar and roofing felt. When this felt is damaged, the roof starts leaking making it easy to locate the damage as leak is directly under the damaged spot. But, at times, the water enters one spot and travels some distance before expressing itself from some other end. It may be quite far from the leaking spot hence making it difficult to locate.

How To Test For The Leaks

First step for detecting a leaking area is to get up there on the roof and inspect the cracks or holes, mainly at the seams of the roof or flashing. Water can also seep in through exposed nail heads causing the damage to the structure. You can also look for some discoloured spot that indicate the stagnant water and possible a crack or a hole.

Testing the roof for any leak need lots of patience and time. You need to get a hose up on the roof and run it slowly at the drain points. The process needs to be repeated for the entire roof and once you locate the culprit, you can start your work on flat roof repair.

How To Start Flat Roof Repair

Before you start flat roof repair, clean up the pooled up water if any in the area of leak using rags and then allow the surface to dry. Clean up any debris or gravel. You can now look for the cracks or large blisters.

There are few things that you will need to repair a flat roof and these include utility knife, clean rags, safety goggles, propane torch, trowel, hammer, 6d galvanized roofing nails and asphalt roof cement or compound.

If there are blisters on the roof, you can use a sharp knife to slice it open down middle. Penetrate the cut fully inside the blistered layer but be careful not to cut the sound roofing felt under it. Lift the blister from cut edges and if there is water inside, squeeze it out by pressing towards the centre. Soak up water using water absorbent rags and prop up the edges so that the layers can dry.

Put a thick later of roof cement on the bottom edges and press down the sides of blister. You then need to close the blister permanently using 6d galvanized roofing nails on both the sides of the slit. Cover this blister with cement and make sure that all the nail heads have been covered properly.

Hiring A Professional For Flat Roof Repair

Flat roof repair can be very challenging, especially if the surface is wet. Many homeowners prefer to hire a professional who is expert in roofing repair. You can look for roofing experts of your area in the yellow pages. Make sure that the roofing expert you choose is well trained and certified. Make sure that you hire someone who specializes in flat roof repair for the material that your roof is made up of.

Roof can be made up of various materials such as wood, tiles, asphalt, slate or engineered rubber/plastic and repair for each of them calls for different techniques. For example, metal roof repair will be different from repairs of other types of roofing materials mentioned above. It is also important to check the credentials of the roofer and understand all the terms and conditions of flat roof repair prior to signing an agreement.