Repairing Guides

how to repair rubber roof

by Jeanette Tremblay Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How to repair a rubber roof – step by step instructions

  1. Find leaks. To stop the leak, you first need to find it. ...
  2. Clean the surface. You should sweep all loose debris off the patch area – 5 to 10 feet away. This includes branches, leafs, sand / dirt / dust.
  3. Apply EPDM Primer. The next crucial step to effectively fix your leaks is to apply EPDM Primer. ...
  4. Patching a field hole in a rubber roof. As you can see in the images above, the hole is in the “field”, meaning leaks are caused by the hole ...
  5. Patching Outside Corners – Skylights, Chimneys, Curbs, etc. Outside corners are much more difficult to patch correctly, if you’ve never done it. ...

Part of a video titled How to Patch a Leaking Rubber Roof | This Old House
2:55
4:22
Patch all right we'll give it a couple of minutes to dry and then we'll apply the patch to the roofMorePatch all right we'll give it a couple of minutes to dry and then we'll apply the patch to the roof with the adhesive dry we're going to roll our patch over the hole.

Full Answer

How to tell if you need roof repair?

During this self-inspection look for: Shingles that are buckling or curling Bald spots Loose material around chimneys and pipes Shingle granules in your gutters Soft spots on the roof interior indicating rotted plywood

  • Shingles that are buckling or curling
  • Bald spots
  • Loose material around chimneys and pipes
  • Shingle granules in your gutters
  • Soft spots on the roof interior indicating rotted plywood

What is the best roof repair product?

  • BEST OVERALL: LR Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant – Multi-Surface
  • BEST VALUE: Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape
  • BEST FOR LEAKS: LR Liquid Rubber Peel and Stick Seam Tape
  • BEST FOR RV ROOFS: LR Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating – Solar Reflective
  • BEST FOR FLAT ROOFS: Rubberseal Liquid Rubber Waterproofing Coating

More items...

How to patch a leaking rubber roof?

  • Small holes and punctures: Minor damage can be repaired by applying rubber sealant from a tube or can directly to the problem and tooled with the knife. ...
  • Membrane blisters: Cut through the bubble, end to end, with a utility knife. ...
  • Large rips and tears: Large areas of damage require the same types of repairs but on a larger scale. ...

Can a rubber roof be repaired?

When you are repairing your rubber roof, any dirt present will prevent the patch from sticking correctly, and your roof will likely start to leak again. Use a broom to clear the area that needs to be repaired if you want to enjoy the best possible results.

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How do I fix a hole in my EPDM roof?

0:071:55RubberGard™ EPDM Small Hole Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipArea apply sing apply quick prime primer to the marked area using a quick scrubber pad and a laMoreArea apply sing apply quick prime primer to the marked area using a quick scrubber pad and a la primer to flash off completely. Cut quick seam baton cover to cover the measured and marked.

How much does it cost to patch a rubber roof?

Repairing a flat rubber roof costs between $4 and $10 per square foot. Rubber is a popular material to use in constructing flat roofs because it is lightweight and can withstand sun and water damage.

How do you seal a leak in a rubber roof?

5:3111:52Flat Roof Leak Fixed - Super Silicone Seal - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd i uh i put a coating of silicone over that just like that. And yeah yeah and then get it niceMoreAnd i uh i put a coating of silicone over that just like that. And yeah yeah and then get it nice over the nail hole. And i'm done two brushes. And the patch is done.

Can you reseal a rubber roof?

Use a 3-inch paint roller to apply rubber-to-rubber contact cement to one half of the outlined repair area, and to one half of the underside of the rubber patch. Wait about 10 minutes for the cement to dry. 12. Set the rubber patch into place, aligning it with the outline marked earlier onto the roof.

How often should a rubber roof be replaced?

30-50 yearsRubber Roofs: 30-50 years.

How long should a rubber roof last?

If installed correctly, you can expect a rubber roof to in excess of up to 50 years. Because an EPDM flat roof is compromised of durable rubber, it can withstand extreme weather conditions such as hail or snow and common weather such as rain and strong winds.

What is the best sealant for a rubber roof?

BEST OVERALL: LR Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant – Multi-Surface.BEST VALUE: Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape.BEST FOR LEAKS: LR Liquid Rubber Peel and Stick Seam Tape.BEST FOR RV ROOFS: LR Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating – Solar Reflective.BEST FOR FLAT ROOFS: Rubberseal Liquid Rubber Waterproofing Coating.More items...•

Does Flex Seal work on rubber roofs?

Flex Seal will adhere to almost any surface including wood, metal, aluminium, plastic, fibreglass, rubber, or vinyl or just about any dry surface ( or even wet). It works best on dry surfaces, but if you are dealing with a leak in rainy weather, you can still stop the leak.

Why is my rubber roof leaking?

Leaks in EPDM roofs can happen for several reasons, including: punctures in, or damage to, the membrane. shrinkage. incorrectly installed or improper flashing.

How do I know if my rubber roof is bad?

Rubber roofing Looks wrinkled and not tight When wrinkles or ripples appear in the rubber it could indicate that moisture has entered under the rubber membrane and deteriorated the adhesive that glues the rubber to the insulation board. The rubber wrinkles as it is no longer glued down in that spot.

How do you find a leak in a flat rubber roof?

0:001:38How To Find A Leak On A Flat Roof - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to do the same thing you measure from those two walls to that spot and that will give you aMoreYou want to do the same thing you measure from those two walls to that spot and that will give you a point on the roof. That should help you get real close to the leak.

How can I extend the life of my rubber roof?

Simple Ways to Extend The Life of a Rubber RoofBecome pro active towards roof maintenance instead of passive. Most problems that occur with rubber roofs can be detected by means of a visual inspection a couple of time a year. ... Be prepared to make minor repairs on the spot. ... Remove Roof Top Debris immediately.

How much does it cost to replace rubber roof on RV?

How much does it cost to replace an RV Rubber roof? Expect to pay between $3,000 and $8,000, depending on the size of the RV roof. Paying $300 per foot is typical for most RVs.

Is rubber roofing more expensive than shingles?

Rubber roofing can go where typical asphalt roofing cannot due to its flexible nature. Rubber shingles can be more expensive than asphalt shingles, but they are cheaper than slate shingles and equivalently fire resistant.

How much does liquid rubber roof cost?

There are many liquid roof products on the market averaging roughly $150-$250 for a 4.75 gallon container. A typical container can be used to cover approximately 250 square feet of roofing surface.

How much does it cost to replace a EPDM roof?

EPDM Roof Installation Cost For installation, the EPDM roofing cost per square foot will normally range between $3.25 and $14.75. The average price is about $4.50 and $5.50 per square foot. That being said, you can expect to pay between $6,000 and $18,000 for a full roof.

How To Repair The Rubber Roof On Rv

EPDM roofs are the preferred type of RV roof by most RVers because they last longer compared to other roofs. You can use Dicor coating to cover the spot on your RV roof.

Apply The Patch To A Flat Area

If you are applying a patch to a flat area , this process should be very easy. Make your patch so that it sticks about 2-3 beyond the hole in the roof, and round off the corners with scissors.

Diy How To Repair Skylight Curb Leak On Flat Rubber Roof

This commercial building in Elizabethtown, PA, has a flat EPDM rubber roof. Overall, its in great condition. However, the occupant is experiencing water penetration near this skylight.

Prepare The Roof Surface

The first step in repairing an EPDM roof is to prepare the roof surface to receive the patch. EPDM has carbon contained within the membrane, and as the membrane ages, the sheet develops a carbon film that can be seen if you rub a hand across the sheet.

Rv Rubber Roof Repair: How To Do It Effortlessly

RV rubber roofs are somewhat tricky to repair because all the other things inside RV recreational vehicles are easily accessible, whereas the roof is not.

How Often Do I Need To Seal My Rv Roof

You should inspect your RV roof and the rest of the vehicle every six months to catch small problems before they become large, expensive ones. However, you don’t need to recoat the seal on your RV roof every six months.

Rv Repair: Rubber Roof Air Bubbles Rubber Roof: Rv Repair

Answer Its normal for a rubber roof to have some air bubbles in it, but not to leak. You dont say what is the matter with your roof. It sounds like it has been leaking for quite some time.

What temperature should rubber roof be?

Before You Begin Your Rubber Roof Repair. First – the following conditions should be met: 1. Ambient (outside) temperature MUST be 40 degrees F or higher – otherwise the primer will either freeze or the bond will not be as strong as it is intended to be, thus your patch will leak prematurely. 2.

How do I patch a roof?

Make your patch so that it sticks about 2-3″ beyond the hole in the roof, and round off the corners with scissors. Once you confirm that the primer is dry, remove the film / paper off the back of your patch and slowly apply the patch to the roof surface, making sure you do not trap any air, so that you don’t create any bubbles / air pockets between the patch and rubber membrane. Work your way out from one edge of the patch to the other. Once the patch has been placed down, roll it in with the silicone roller, with moderate pressure. Make sure you roll in the edges of the patch especially well.

How to apply EPDM primer?

– using a simple paint brush, apply a good (but not too thick) coat of EPDM primer, making sure it extends at least 2″ beyond the edges of the patch that you are going to apply. Spread the primer evenly, so that you don’t have too much in one place and not enough in the other. Make sure you don’t have thick “puddles” of primer, as it will not completely dry, and your patch will not properly adhere.

How long does it take for primer to dry?

Once you apply the primer, let it dry for about two-three minutes, depending on the weather, temperature, and how thick of a coat you’ve applied. Once you think the primer has dried – do a tack and pull test. Touch the center of primer with a clean, dry finger, and pull your finger off.

How far should a patch go beyond a hole in a roof?

– no inside or outside corners or other imperfections), this process should be very easy. Make your patch so that it sticks about 2-3″ beyond the hole in the roof, and round off the corners with scissors.

Do you need to dry before applying primer and patch?

2. Repair surface MUST be dry when you apply primer and patch – otherwise the patch will not hold. 3. Before applying the patch, you must thoroughly clean the repair surface, remove any and all debris, dirt, any tar or other sealants / caulking that might have been applied. 4.

Where do leaks occur on a roof?

Most leaks occur in common spots – low spots on the roof, where water pools after rain. If you have a seam running through one of these low spots, there is 95% chance that there is a leak. Use a probe or even a nail, to test the seam for any voids / openings.

What causes a roof to fail?

Ultraviolet Rays cause roofs to fail. Depending on which part of the country and how much the roof was exposed to the sun, how long Roof Membranes will last. Roof Membrane Life Expectancy in different Heat indexes measured in years.

What is EPDM rubber?

EPDM Rubber Membrane – This is the most common rubber membrane found on flat roofs. You can tell it by the look and feel of it. It is smooth and looks like the rubber of an inner tube of a tire.

Can you use a propane torch to repair a roof?

The other method is with a propane torch. It is only is necessary to use a propane torch when the roof has large sections that need repairing. You will purchase rolls of Modified Bitumen Membrane and cut the patches to size and use a propane torch to weld them to the existing membrane.

How to find a separated seam on EPDM roof?

To do this without puncturing or damaging the rubber membrane, watch for small stones or debris that could puncture it if stepped on. Examine all seams on your roof for splitting or separating. Mark those you find.

How to remove air bubbles from seams?

With the adhesive applied to both surfaces of the seam, press these seams together . Work a roller along the top surface, pressing down to remove air bubbles. Avoid applying this adhesive in a strong wind that could separate the surfaces of the seam before the adhesive is dry.

How to seal a seam with tape?

In applying the tape, begin pressing it down onto the seam about 12-inches in advance of the place on the seam where you applied the new adhesive. When you reach the far end of the newly glued seam with the applied tape, continue for another 12-inches or more before cutting the tape. Press the tape down onto the seam, using the EPDM roller.

How to apply EPDM adhesive to seams?

Using a soft brush, apply your EPDM adhesive to the bottom and top surfaces of the seam. The area to be covered by the adhesive on both top and bottom surfaces should be 6 to 8-inches wide. Apply the adhesive into the corner of the surfaces where the two-seam surfaces meet.

How long does it take for adhesive to cure?

After 24 hours, check the seam to be sure the adhesive has cured, then use a seam probe tool and gently insert it into the outer edge of the seam. If you are able to push the tool into the seam without effort, this will indicate that the adhesive was not successful in gluing the seam layers together.

Can rubber roofs be repaired?

Information about techniques for the repair of a rubber roof may come in handy for you if your home or other building has a flat roof covered with (Ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber. Typically, repair of these roofs involves re-sealing seams that have separated and are allowing moisture to enter and leak through your building's roof system. Although the installation of these rubber roofs can be technical enough to require trained and experienced roofers, you will likely be able to repair your rubber roof seam leaks if you have the right material, tools, and instructions.

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