Instructions to Put on Synthetic Rubber Roofing
Synthetic rubber roofing is faster to install than traditional roofing material. As a result, it is a popular do-it-yourself roofing method, especially for flat or low-sloping roofs and small roof projects. According to the EPDM Roofing Association, one billion square feet of rubber roofing installations go on across the U.S. annually. Rubber roofing is available in two forms: sheets or shingles. Sheet application suits flat roofs due to the size and handling of the rubber, and shingles are suitable for steep-sloped roofs. The most common type of installation is in sheet form and is a simple process with the right equipment. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Roof-grade plywood roof deck
- Electric sander
- Push-broom
- Cloths
- Detergent
- Water
- Rubber roofing
- Tape measure
- Bonding adhesive
- Stir-stick
- Paint roller
- Splice cleaner
- Paintbrushes
- Splice primer
- Double-sided seam tape
- Seam roller
- Water-resistant caulk
- Caulking gun
Instructions
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1
Install a roof-grade plywood roof deck to ensure the correct substrate for rubber adhesion. Sand any shards of wood off the plywood with an electric sander to flatten the surface. Use a push-broom and sweep the roof deck clear of loose dirt and debris. Wipe the roof deck with diluted detergent and a cloth to remove grease marks and allow it to dry.
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2
Position the rubber roofing sheets onto the roof deck in the roof layout you want. Using a tape measure, allow a 3-inch overhang at all roof edges, 3 inches for seam overlaps and a 12-inch vertical lap for areas where two surfaces meet at a 90-degree angle.
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3
Start at the lowest slope of the roof as this makes overlapping seams easier. Pull back the first rubber sheet to expose the roof deck. Wipe the underside of the sheet with a clean damp cloth to remove any dust. Stir the bonding adhesive thoroughly with a stir-stick to amalgamate the mixture.
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4
Use a paint roller and apply the bonding adhesive to the underside of the rubber sheet and to the application area on the roof deck. Allow it to dry until it feels tacky, and test the surface with your finger. This takes five to ten minutes on a sunny day.
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5
Push the rubber into position from one end to the opposing side, so that it unfolds without trapping air underneath. Use a push-broom and brush the rubber in a forward sweeping motion from one edge to the other to help to remove wrinkles and air bubbles. Think of it like wallpapering on a grander scale, and apply the same techniques.
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6
Pull back the sheet (sheet two) that installs with an overlap over the first sheet (sheet one) and wipe it clean. Apply bonding adhesive up to the 3-inch overlap on the underside of the rubber sheet, and roll on the adhesive over the roof deck up to the edge of sheet one. Allow it to dry until it is tacky, and place the rubber into position using the same technique as before.
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7
Brush on a splice cleaner with a clean paintbrush to the top-side of sheet one and the underside of sheet two; apply a 3-inch wide coverage for the seam. Allow a few minutes for this to dry, and brush on a splice primer over the 3-inch wide splice cleaner area, and allow this to get tacky.
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8
Apply double-sided seam tape to the length of the rubber seam on sheet one; make sure this covers the 3-inch seam width. Pull off the paper on the top-face of the tape as you roll the overlap from sheet two onto it. Use a seam roller to roll the seam to remove air bubbles and to bond the two sheets together.
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9
Continue installing the rubber sheeting until the roof is complete. Use bonding adhesive to fasten the rubber up walls and down overhangs. Apply a bead-line of water-resistant caulk to these edges with a caulking gun.
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Tips & Warnings
Install rubber roofing in dry conditions.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit schöne garage image by fotoflash from Fotolia.com
