Discover The Best Methods For Rubber Roofing InstallationTraditional Asphalt roofing materials are not very effective in preventing leaks that occur on flat or nearly flat roofs because traditional Asphalt roofing depends on gravity to let the water flow out. If you have a flat or nearly flat roof, you should consider rubber roofing. Most of these are made of synthetic rubber or PVC and can last for a very long time, prompting many manufacturers to offer guarantees up to 20 years and promise life expectancies nearing 50 years. These roofs eliminate seams which are first affected in asphalt roofing. How to install rubber roofing? There are many methods that are followed for installing rubber roofing. What we are discussing here is a method that is easy to follow and also economical. Whichever method you use, you should have at least two people working on the installation for convenience as well as safety. The first step in the procedure is to prepare the roof. First of all, clear the roof of any debris and loose chippings. Then check the timber in the substrate to see if any of it has been damaged by water. If you find any damaged timberwork, replace it. The roof should be reasonably dry when you work on it. Although some wetness is unavoidable on a flat roof, you should ensure that the roof is as dry as possible for effective rubber roofing. If you feel it is too wet, you may have to tear it off before installing the rubber roofing. Coat the roof with a primer that will allow adhesion of tapes used over seams and vents and also help to keep the installation dry. Coat the tapes with adhesive and secure them over the seams. Wrap the tapes over plumbing vents. Next apply the adhesive to the roof by rolling or spraying. Immediately thereafter, roll the fabric over the coated area and again apply the adhesive to the top. You should then allow a 24-hour curing period. After this period is over, apply two coats of the rubber roofing. The coating of the rubber roofing should be done in two stages. Make sure that the surface is dry and clean and apply the first coat at temperatures of 50 Degrees Fahrenheit or more. The humidity should not be more than 50%. If there is likelihood of temperatures dropping to near or below freezing point or if there are signs of imminent rain, wait till this is over. For effective application, the first coat should have around 48 hours of dry curing. Once this is done, apply the second coating. The above is one of the methods for installing rubber roofing. There are other approaches that use multiple substrates that include a deck, flexible membrane made of rubber or synthetic material and underlying battens that are used to secure the membrane. In this method the roofing is stapled or tacked to the battens. EPDM rubber roofing systems adopt such an approach for installation. EPDM is gaining in popularity because of its low cost and long life. |