Not all buildings utilize asphalt shingles or metal for their roofs. If you have a rubber roof on your home or commercial property, and it’s in need of repair, choosing the proper material is essential, and you want to make sure that whoever is doing the work has experience and expertise working with rubber roofing – not everyone does! Whether you are planning to repair the leak yourself, or call out a professional roofing company, understanding the type of material that your roof is made of, and what options are available to you, is vital. Rubber roofing is used far more often in commercial roofing than in residential roof construction, so hiring a company with knowledge of commercial roofing practices is a good place to start.
Types of Rubber Roof Materials
A variety of plastomeric and elastomeric single-ply membranes are available for use in rubber roofs. Included in this category are the EPDM system, Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), the Modified Bituminous Membrane (MBM) and the Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO). These products are lighter in weight and much easier to install than older materials used for rubber roofing. It is important to note that these materials are effective only when wind uplift is achieved without adding other materials to anchor the roofing. These days, EPDM rubber roofing is the most popular type for commercial rubber roof construction.
Patching A Small Leak in a Rubber Roof
Sometimes the issue with a rubber roof is very small and the fix is quick! If the affected area of the rubber roof just needs a patch, applying a bead of EPDM lap sealant around the edges of the patch provides added protection against water intrusion. One of the major advantages of rubber roofs is that they are relatively easy to make small repairs to (for someone with the experience to do so properly). A leak in your rubber roof could be the result of incorrect installation techniques, but it can also happen due to normal wear and tear or extreme weather conditions.
In general, rubber roof leaks can be repaired well and effectively, even for bigger leaks, unless the material of your rubber roof was badly installed or has reached the end of its lifespan. A rubber roof, properly and expertly installed, will usually last 30 to 50 years – which can be more than twice the typical lifespan of a shingle roof on a home.
Rubber Roof Maintenance
One of the best features of a rubber roof is its surprisingly low need for maintenance. With any type of roof, it’s a good idea to have a professional inspection once per year – especially if you’d like your rubber roof to last as long as possible. But in most cases, your rubber roof won’t actually need any significant maintenance.
Whether you’re thinking about installing a new rubber roof or you’re looking for a local commercial roofing company to inspect and repair a leak in your rubber roof, you should make sure to seek out a roof repair company with experience with rubber roofs. Though they are simple to repair and install, that means they are simple to repair and install for a professional roofer with experience repairing and installing rubber roofs, not for just anyone!
Questions About Leaky Rubber Roofs?
Ideally, any rubber roof repair requires a roofer experienced in repairing the type of roof material that is on the building. If you have a leaky rubber roof that requires a repair, be sure to ask us about the repair process and what materials we recommend for that specific application. As always, we provide roof inspections and estimates for all types of rubber roofs, all types of commercial roofs, and all types of residential roofs.
Give us a call at 513-444-6098 for all your rubber roofing needs.