EPDM advice

[Redraptor]

What type of repair sealant should I try to use on an aging (15 yrs.) white EPDM roof? At work, most of the buildings are covered with this and are developing leaks that are hard to trace. The president of the company ran out and bought me cans of sealant for sealing screen bottom boats which did nothing for me. I think I need to clean and broad spread some kind of sealant over the many seams and air make-up unit flashing. Roofs are maybe 2/12 pitch or less. What works best?

 

[PAToyota]

When it gets to that point, you're pretty much looking at a new roof. You'll constantly be chasing leaks otherwise.

 

[DieselNut88]

Before we replaced two roofs at work we have many small leaks. A roof company told us to use good quality adhiesive flashing tape. Clean the roof surface very good. Heat slightly with a small propane torch or heat gun. Then apply tape and use a j roller to ensure good contact. For small hole we used Loctite PL S30 flashing sealant. That work well. Leaks on a flat roof can be very hard to find.

 

[rustyjames]

15 years should not be the end of lifespan for a EPDM roof system. They are repaired all the time. Since it's rubber it's similar to fixing a tire tube. The hard part if finding the leak.

 

[spudley]

Might want to check on RV roof coating. I believe DICOR makes a roll on product that gets pretty good reviews at lengthening the life of a EPDM roof.
It's better than the screen door stuff.

 

[Camper]

Look for roof coatings by Ames Research. I never used them but seems like a good product.

 

[wirt]

You need to buy EPDM cover strip. Clean with epdm cleaner and apply as directed.

Are you sure it's not a TPO product as they are white.

 

[Redraptor]

15 years should not be the end of lifespan for a EPDM roof system. They are repaired all the time. Since it's rubber it's similar to fixing a tire tube. The hard part if finding the leak.

This was done before my time there and for all the buildings to be done at once I'm sure it was the lowest bidder. Looks like they used every piece the could. Worked well for a long time as the previous maintenance man chased leaks every time it rained on the old asphalt roofs.

 

[Redraptor]

Look for roof coatings by Ames Research. I never used them but seems like a good product.

I will check that out. Thanks everyone for your responses.

 

[Kpaige]

Did not read all the posts but there is no such thing as white epdm!!!! It is white pvc completely diffrent animal!!
Epdm has no lifespan the rubber will last forever. Its the install and penetrstions that fail!

 

[rustyjames]

Did not read all the posts but there is no such thing as white epdm!!!! It is white pvc completely diffrent animal!!
Epdm has no lifespan the rubber will last forever. Its the install and penetrstions that fail!

If there's no white EPDM then what's this: http://firestonebpco.com/roofing/epdm-roofing-systems/rubbergard-ecowhite-epdm-roofing-system/

 

[Kpaige]

Ok
Correction
No white epdm that is worth a s**t!

 

[PAToyota]

15 years should not be the end of lifespan for a EPDM roof system. They are repaired all the time. Since it's rubber it's similar to fixing a tire tube. The hard part if finding the leak.

I agree both to that 15 years should not be the lifespan and that repairs to damaged areas are made all the time. However, if it is failing in multiple places and leaking, something else went wrong (inferior materials, improper installation, whatever) and you're likely to be constantly chasing leaks if you don't just replace it.

 

[Kpaige]

Depending on the size of the roof it can be cheaper to repair. The leaks and issues will come atvthe edges, walls and penetrations. On larger roofs itvwas cheaper for use to cut all these areas let the open field rubber relax and then redo all the details.
The way they used to do all these details has proved to not hold up to the rubber shrinking and it rips. The new way ofcterminating is much more stable.

 

[dcg9381]

EPDM was used in the RV industry for years. One common repair method is eternabond tape if you can identify particular spots. In general, I hate this stuff and there are several roll-on and spray on (polyurea) products that are designed to go over the existing roof and seal it, providing a much longer lifespan than the original rubber.