Repairing Guides

how to repair bubbles in a tpo roof

by Heather Cremin Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How to Repair a Bubble in a Roll of Top Roofing

  • 1.. Access the roof using an extension ladder. Walk the roof and locate any raised ridges or half bulges in the roofing.
  • 2.. Cut slits along the high point of the ridges and bulges from end to end with a utility knife. Lift up one edge of a...
  • 3.. Nail each edge of the slits with 1 1/4-inch roofing nails and a shingle...

Part of a video titled How to Repair an RV Roof Bubble in the membrane| Season 1
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So far so good it looks like i don't have any water damage up here on the front which is awesomeMoreSo far so good it looks like i don't have any water damage up here on the front which is awesome just have to re-glue this bubble. And then make sure i seal everything else back.

Full Answer

How to repair bubbles in roofing paper?

Over time, the fine gravel aggregate that protects the roofing paper deteriorates at the raised areas, causing cracks that can leak. Repair the bubbles using a method that has proved reliable by professional roofers. Access the roof using an extension ladder. Walk the roof and locate any raised ridges or half bulges in the roofing.

How do you repair torn TPO membrane on an RV roof?

To help you prevent major damage and seal up small holes on your TPO RV roof, Dave demonstrates the proper way to repair torn or cut TPO membrane on an RV roof. He walks you step by step through the simple process for patching and reinforcing TPO RV roof liner with rubber tape strips, which you can pick up from just about any reputable dealer.

Can a TPO roof be repaired?

If you’re dealing with a TPO roof that failed before its time, a solution like a Fluid Applied Reinforced Roof (FARR) can help repair and even restore your system. It provides a fully adhered continuous surface with no seams, improving the TPO’s waterproofness and protecting your interior building systems. Installing Roof Coatings Over TPO

What causes water problems with TPO roofing?

It exposes the adhesive board and causes water problems with TPO. The high volume of traffic on your roofing system means people walking around – y our roofing contractors and maintenance crews. Single-ply membrane sheets that don’t come with a hard top layer are easily punctured by shoes.

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Should a TPO roof have bubbles in it?

A TPO roof doesn't have “bubbles” UNLESS it was fully adhered and the contractor didn't let the bonding adhesive flash off. Now, there may be wrinkles from the application which are “normal” if they are minor. They will go away when the weather warms up…not in a year or two.

How do you fix a roof that bubbles?

To repair a blister, cut away the membrane until you reach an area where the membrane still adheres to the roof tightly. You'll then need to reapply new membrane material – at least as many layers as you removed – over the blistered area.

Will bubbles in rubber roof go away?

Will bubbles in the rubber roof go away? No. The bubbles in the rubber roof will not go away. They may shrink, but the constant heating and cooling of the roof will cause more problems the longer the bubble remains in the roof and is not repaired.

Does Flex Seal work on TPO?

First of all, make sure your RV roof is compatible with Flex Seal products! Most of them will be because these sealants work with fiberglass, metal, EPDM rubber, and TPO. Unless your roof is made with some other material, you should be safe to use Flex Seal on it.

Why is my roof bubbling?

Blisters often occur when excessive heat damages the roofing materials. When you have no shade to block direct sunlight to a roof, small blisters can form. Poor attic ventilation is another reason blisters will appear.

What causes a bubble in your roof?

Generally, causes of roofing blisters have to do with trapped air or water within a flat roof membrane or built-up roof. Air or water fill up the gaps between the membrane system layers, resulting in bubble-like protrusions.

How do you get rid of EPDM bubbles?

2:083:19How to Prevent Bubbles When Using Contact Adhesive During an EPDM ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you dip the roller in and just do dabs every three four hundred mil that'll give you a nice evenMoreIf you dip the roller in and just do dabs every three four hundred mil that'll give you a nice even coverage. Then. So i've just contacted the six inch perimeter.

Does TPO wrinkle?

What Is The Concern? EverGuard® TPO and PVC roofing systems installed by mechanical attachment or the RhinoBond® attachment may exhibit wrinkles in the field of the membrane after installation.

Can you repair a membrane roof?

Install the Repair Patch Using a glue-down patch: Apply a single-ply EPDM adhesive to the back of the patch and to the roof surface in the patch area, following the manufacturer's instructions. Allow the adhesive to flash off until it is no longer tacky to the touch.

How long does flex paste last on a roof?

Q: How long does it last? A: Flex Shot will last up to 30 years and will not fade, dry, crack, yellow or deteriorate.

How long does Flex Seal last on roof?

Flex Seal lasts for up to 30 years on a roof. Flex Seal will last for different amounts of time depending on the local climate and maintenance. As a result, Flex Seal can be used to repair leaks and cracks on a roof that lasts for years. Several factors can cause Flex Seal to last longer.

How long will EternaBond tape last?

about 20 to 35 yearsWhile EternaBond tape should normally be expected to last anywhere from about 20 to 35 years, its bond is not quite eternal. The tape can be removed if necessary (though not without significant effort), and it's possible, however unlikely, that an area sealed with EternaBond could need to be resealed at some point.

Should a rubber roof have bubbles?

Vapour from bonding adhesive As EPDM is partially breathable, these bubbles are not a huge problem long-term, and will gradually settle down over time. However, in severe cases, it could mean that the membrane has not bonded correctly, and the membrane may need to be peeled back and re-applied.

How long does it take for a rubber roof to dry?

Cure time. Once applied, roof coatings take 24 to 48 hours to fully cure and strengthen its bond with the roof. Refrain from doing anything else with the RV during this time and avoid rain and other hazards as best you can. Factor these things into your planning as well.

What are common problems with EPDM roofs?

Three most common problems with Rubber Roofs is improper installation, shrinkage and the seams. While the rubber roofs are known to be durable, they also need maintained.

What is a TPO roof?

This is especially true for a TPO RV roof, which is that thin skin of rubber material that lines the roof of your rig. It’s prone to cuts, rips and holes from any number of sources, including folded TV antennae and debris.

Does Dicor cover RV antenna holes?

Dicor makes a great kit that Dave always recommends. In this case, the RV’s TV antenna has worn small holes into the TPO RV roof, so to avoid bubbling under the membrane from rain and sun damage, Dave uses these rubber patches to cover the holes and keep the roofline watertight. Prior to completing the patch, it’s extremely important ...

What happens if a roof membrane is damaged?

If the membrane is damaged, your contractor will need to replace the entire damaged area. Investing in a commercial roofing project can be a daunting task. But by being prepared and asking the right questions, you can find the right contractor to deliver high-quality work for a good price.

How to make sure your roof is dry?

Here are some tips to be sure your roof and materials stay dry: Seal any substrate materials. Store roofing materials inside or well-sealed with tarps. Verify the substrate is dry after harsh weather or cleaning before the new roof is installed.

What to do if you have blisters on your roof?

Blisters that occur in areas of high traffic. If your blister needs to be repaired, it’s best to hire a contractor to perform the repair properly. If your roof is still under warranty, call the contractor that installed your roof to see what they can do to help you.

Why does my roof blister?

If left untreated, a blister can grow larger and allow more moisture to get in so that the problem gets worse until more extensive repairs and possible replacement is necessary…unless it pops! Roof blisters can be caused by any number of problems: Moisture. Poor Installation.

Can you leave a blister on a roof?

Unless the roof blister falls under this list of characteristics ( from roofingcontractor.com) you may be fine with leaving your blisters alone: Loss of gravel, granules or another surfacing. Membrane deterioration.

Can you control the ventilation of a new roof?

Allow proper ventilation for the new roof system. While as a facility owner or manager, you may not have control over the installation process of your contractor. You can ensure you hire the right contractor and talk to them about installing your roof to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Can blisters on a flat roof cause insulation?

With weather changes, roof blisters may pop up on your commercial flat roof. While roof blisters may not need immediate attention, if left unmonitored, they could lead to saturated insulation and a damaged membrane. Roof blisters are not limited to one type of roof system; they appear in all types of roofing systems – residential and commercial.

5 Common TPO Roofing Problems

TPO roofing systems are relatively young in roofing technology. It’s a new roofing system that’s still trying to figure out the best chemical formula.

Alternatives to TPO Roofing Material

Are you looking for other alternatives due to TPO roofing problems? Here are other flat roof systems you might want to consider:

Roof Maintenance

Cleaning and repair bills are part of your contractor’s general maintenance. Schedule an appointment with them before the warranty expires.

Frequently Asked Questions

It lasts between 10 and 20 years with the right installation and proper maintenance.

Conclusion

TPO roofing problems are due to poor installation, materials, or maintenance.

What causes blisters on roof ply?

ponding water). Moisture collects at the interface between roof ply, or the coating film and the ply, eventually causing a loss of adhesion and a blister.

Why do roofs blister?

Roofs over cathedral ceilings often blister because they are likely poorly vented and collect moisture from the interior.

What does it mean when a roof has a blister?

Blisters originating at the coating/substrate interface, indicating moisture coming up from below: Moisture trapped in roofing plys, insulation, or wood decking due to past or current roof leaks.

Where do blisters occur on a roof?

Blisters may occur below or between ply sheets in a built-up roof system, at the roof coating interface with the roof surface, or between coating layers when multiple coats have been applied to the roof. It is important to recognize the difference before proceeding. Blisters may be filled with water or air.

Can a roof be flash dried?

Coating roofs in extremely hot weather results in flash drying. The coating may separate from the substrate even before it dries but not be visible as a blister immediately. By examining the underside of a coating blister, look for numerous tiny tendrils indicating the film pulled away from the surface at application.

Can a ply membrane cause blisters?

Osmotic blisters are not likely in areas where drainage is good. Moisture can come from below the roof and through the ply system to cause blisters. Some roofing experts maintain it is impossible to build an absolutely moisture tight BUR membrane. The nature of the process always creates tiny voids.

Why do roofs blister?

Membrane systems are most susceptible to blistering because blisters are formed by voids between the plies or at the point between the substrate and the membrane. In bituminous systems, voids can be created by improper adhesion during application, improper mopping viscosity, moisture in or on the felts, unfilled insulation joints, coverage of loose or trapped material particles, and distorted insulation or metal materials.

How to promote thorough adhesion of a patch?

To promote thorough adhesion of a patch, it is essential to begin by preparing the surface. Remove debris, contaminants, aggregate or loose surfacing from the surface of the membrane or flashing to be repaired.

Why does a single ply membrane blister?

Blisters on adhered single-ply membrane systems are typically caused by lack of adhesion at the point of application. If the membrane is not weathered or cracked, repairs are typically not required. Bonding of the membrane to the substrate is of concern at perimeter areas, particularly at low-profile edges, to eliminate probability ...

What causes voids in bituminous materials?

In bituminous systems, voids can be created by improper adhesion during application, improper mopping viscosity, moisture in or on the felts, unfilled insulation joints, coverage of loose or trapped material particles, and distorted insulation or metal materials.

Can blisters be repaired on modified systems?

In general, blisters that are keeping air in will keep water out, and unless the blisters have certain characteristics, it may be preferable to leave them undisturbed. Some characteristics that may determine the need to repair blisters on modified systems are:

Can you repair blisters on Bur systems?

Deciding whether to cut out and remove, patch over to reinforce, or simply monitor blisters, is a judgment call. In general, it may be preferable to leave them undisturbed. Some characteristics that may determine the need to repair blisters are: Excessive loss of gravel or surfacing.

Can primer damage membranes?

Primer contains solvents and is used to enhance adhesion; however, overuse of primer can harm the membrane. 6. Cut a patch of like material 8 inches larger in all dimensions than the defect to be repaired. Round the corners of the patch to a minimum radius of 3 inches.

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