How Long Does a Rubber Roof Last? - The Great Construction Company
Nov
If you’re a contractor or are conversant in the roofing field, you’ll have heard of EPDM. This is Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer which is more commonly referred to as rubber roofing. Most contractors will recommend that owners invest in these rubber roofs.
Rubber membrane roofs have advanced durability, anticipation and price per sq ft that creates it one among the simplest replacement options for any quite damaged building material . And while it certainly has disadvantages of its own, there are quite enough reasons that EPDM roofs are one among the foremost common options for commercial properties.
Let’s move the chase and discuss one among the foremost commonly asked questions when it involves a rubber commercial roof: how long do they last? With the proper upkeep and weather , your standard rubber commercial roof will last anywhere from 40 to 50 years.
This, of course, includes proper and preventative maintenance also. And while which will sound sort of a hassle, that preventative maintenance entails simple inspections and patchwork that’s done should there be any damage done to the roof.
If your area experiences extreme weather each year, this life expectancy can probably be knocked down by a few years, but rubber roofs are generally very durable and meant to last an extended period , while without plenty of maintenance needed.
Rubber roofs are getting the go-to choice for commercial rooftops. This is for a couple of different reasons that we’ll outline here.
A good rubber roof installation is all you need
One of the great things about installing a rubber roof is that if it is installed properly, that installation will make your roof seamless. When there are not any seams in your roofing, meaning that it’s more moisture resistant and can be virtually leak-free.
With other roofs, there’s the danger that shingles or individual panels could peel and lift up, exposing the roof underneath to additional risk of leaking. But with the seamless install of a rubber roof, you don’t need to worry about those pesky leaks anymore.
Rubber roofs have equivalent properties as PVC, TPO, and other roofing materials that are costlier to possess. Again, this all comes right down to the installation. If it is done in a subpar way, you won’t get the full range of capabilities that the rubber roof can offer.
Lightweight
Your standard rubber roof weighs almost two pounds per sq ft . This makes it lighter than something like modified bitumen, but it remains more durable. Being lighter in weight also means it puts less stress on the roof over time. This can do wonders for the health of your commercial roof over the lifetime of the building.
Its lighter weight also means it’s easier to move and install. With heavier materials, it is often a hassle to urge them up and down ladders or stairs, but the rubber material is far easier to move and makes the overall installation a bit easier as well.
Durability
As mentioned previously, rubber roofs are very durable, on A level with PVC and TPO. EPDM is really durable enough that it can support things like rooftop gardens also . Because the material is seamless in nature, it is able to lock out moisture and prevent the growth of any fungi or other roof-harming forms of life.
With a correct rubber roof installation and yearly preventative maintenance – inspections to see for any cracks within the façade that would leave moisture to enter – your rubber commercial roof should last a minimum of 35 years if less.
Properly Installing EPDM Rubber Roofs
The first course of action for installing a rubber roof should be to call a commercial roofing contractor. A contractor or roofer will have a litany of experience when it involves installing these roofs and therefore the chance that something goes wrong will drop drastically.
If you enforce doing the work yourself, however, there are steps to follow to make sure that the work is completed correctly, and your rubber roof is installed properly.
The 1st step is to form sure the roof is ready . This means that you simply got to clean the roof. Any debris or dust that is still could potentially weaken the adhesive of the membrane. The whole point of the EPDM membrane is that it must be ready to stick with the surface of the roof.
The 2nd step is to examine areas of your roof where there’s a gutter. In these spaces, you’ll have to install a batten to increase your roof towards the gutter. This will direct rainwater drips to the gutter rather than behind the gutter; this prevents damage to the supporting wall and fasteners that are underneath the gutter itself.
Make certain that you simply prepare the areas of your wall that might accept flashing – this redirects moisture from the wall towards the rubber membrane – and take away any excess brick mortar using something like a mortar chisel. This will make sure that the flashings attach properly.
Lastly, prepare and install the rubber layer. Again, it’s key that the rubber membrane bond with the roof because this is often how it seals and becomes seamless. Apply the rubber to the roof evenly and confirm to unfold the rubber after you’ve got finished applying the adhesive. This ensures that it won’t dry out without attaching to the membrane itself. When you are done applying, cut away the surplus rubber in order that the fit is complete.
Rubber roofing is becoming more common thanks to greater durability also as lesser costs to put in . If you own a billboard building, you’ll want to think about having a rubber roof installed to prolong the lifetime of the roof for an extended time to return.
 Get a free quote from The Great Construction or call at +1 (201) 673-5638. We’re happy to inspect your roof and help you through the process of a rubber roof replacement or installation.
