How to Repair a Rubber Roof
Rubber roofing is one of the most widely-used flat roof materials on the market today — and for a good reason. If the rubber roof on your building has seen better days and is leaking, we have a solution that fixes all of the major problems that come with this roof type. In today’s blog we’re explaining how to repair a rubber roof — and we’re profiling our rubber roof restoration solution.
At J. Smucker Contracting, we’re a commercial roofer that specializes in restoring old roofs to make them stronger than when they were new. How confident are we that our system works? We offer an 18-year non-prorated warranty on it. Since EPDM rubber roofs are some of the most common materials on commercial buildings, we have ample experience working on and restoring them. See how we repair a rubber roof — and request a free quote to restore yours as well.
How We Restore EPDM Rubber Roofing
While isolated roof leaks only need simple patchwork repairs, more extensive leaks demand more extensive solutions. For large buildings with significant damage, we repair rubber roofs by directly fixing all of the most common reasons that an EPDM roof will leak and fail. Simply put, we turn the roof’s weak spots into the toughest sections of the roof. The three weak points of any commercial rubber roof are the seams, the fasteners, and the membrane itself.
Here’s how to repair a rubber roof by reinforcing each of those areas:
- Seal the Seams — Since EPDM rubber roofs are rolled on individual sheets, there will be space between the rolls. These are called seams, and they are some of the most common areas for leakage to occur on a rubber roof. As part of our roof restoration system, we apply a strip of fabric to each of the seams and then seal it with our waterproof roof coating. This makes what was once the Achilles heel of the roof one of the strongest points.
- Reinforce the Fasteners — The metal fasteners used to attach the rubber surface can also prove to be a problem. Over time these metal fasteners can rust and rot away, leaving another weak area that can invite water infiltration. Our total rubber roof repair system fixes this by caulking and re-sealing all of the fasteners to make them impervious to the elements.
- Coat the Membrane — While the seams and the fasteners may be more likely to fail than the surface membrane itself, even that can be damaged. Whether the surface has sustained puncture damage, or has simply torn from expanding and contracting in the sun, we can repair the rubber membrane. We do this by coating the entire surface in a waterproof coating. As an added bonus, this reflective coating can cut your building’s energy bills.
Hopefully, this overview gave you some idea of how to repair a rubber roof. If you’d like to find out what it costs to have us restore yours, reach out for a free inspection and quote. Generally, our rubber roof restoration costs about 50% less compared to replacing the roof — impressive savings when you’re faced with a damaged roof.
What is EPDM Roofing & Why Is it Popular?
While EPDM roofs can require repair from time to time, they are a very popular option for commercial buildings. In fact, if you don’t know what type of roof your building has, chances are it is an EPDM rubber roof.
If you’re wondering what is EPDM roofing and why it’s a good choice, we have your answers. EPDM roofing is synthetic rubber which is added onto the roof surface in large rolls. Around since the 1960s, EPDM rubber roofing has become a popular option since it is a somewhat less expensive option than metal and some single-ply roof types. In addition, EPDM roofs have an average lifespan of around 15 years.
Learn more about common commercial roof lifespans.
Trust J. Smucker to Restore or Repair Your Rubber Roof
Whether your roof has a few small leaks you want to stop before they get worse, or it needs a full overhaul, we’re the team to trust. We have experience working on rubber roofs of all sizes — and we’re ready to handle your project.
Businesses trust our full rubber roof repair as it saves approximately 50% less compared to a full replacement, yet it comes backed with a better-than-brand-new 18-year warranty.
If you think your roof needs repaired, restored, or replaced, we invite you to reach out. We offer all potential clients a free roof inspection. Contact us to schedule yours today!