EPDM Rubber Roofing in Newcastle upon Tyne
EPDM rubber roofing is among the most popular kinds of single-ply roofing membranes for both new and re-roof applications. Another great benefit of using EPDM is that it is among the most straightforward systems to install. EPDM rubber roofing is done using ballasted and mechanically attached methods, and some systems use glue explicitly made for rubber roofing. EPDM has many benefits and drawbacks to consider when deciding if EPDM is right for your building. One of the most significant benefits of EPDM rubber roofing is an investment that will last. EPDM is among the most durable materials in the construction market today.
EPDM is also designed to flex with the buildings and does not become brittle as the years pass, eventually leading to the membrane cracking or chipping and leaks from weathering. The EPDM membrane can expand and contract with the elements. This allows the membrane to maintain its strength consistently over a prolonged period. Roofs with similar membranes require little to no maintenance, an excellent benefit for any owner. The strength, combined with its overall lightness, will almost certainly make it one of the most cost-effective roofing products over time because when installed with methods such as ballasting or mechanically attaching, the cover does not penetrate the field of the membrane.
Benefits of EPDM Rubber Roofing
Rubber is a type of roofing mainly used on flat roofing structures. It tends to be affordable and has many other benefits, including weather resistance and easy installation. One of the more common rubbers used is EPDM.
Many forms of rubber roofing are very weather-resistant. This is perfect as it helps to keep the home from becoming damaged over time. If you also take good care of and maintain it, you will find that it tends to surpass its expected lifespan.
This is good as flat roofs tend to catch a lot of weather over time, and rubber roofing can avoid repairs after every storm. You will also find that snow, ice, and hail could damage many other types of roofing. You will also find that rubber roofing is designed to prevent damage and is also easy to clean. This is a significant benefit as it is good when cleaning your roof. Overall, several roofing options can develop serious damage problems after regular cleaning and intense storms, making rubber roofing beneficial by preventing these problems. If you compare the costs of the few repairs made over rubber's lifespan, you will find it cost-efficient over time.
Durability and Longevity
If you have a flat roof or dormer window, you know the difficulties and expenses that can arise due to leaks and damage from perishing roofing felt. The superior alternative to traditional bitumen roofing felt is EPDM rubber roofing. EPDM has been used for over 50 years and has been proven to provide unmatched protection for new and existing flat roofs by stretching to accommodate every roof outline without joining. This offers significant savings in both cost and time for the installer. In the construction of any building, the covering used on the roof is a critical consideration; sound roofing installation is crucial to protect the building for a long time to come. Like any other structure, the life expectancy of a roof depends on how well it was installed, the materials used, and how it is affected by the climate.
Weather Resistance
EPDM rubber roofing in Newcastle upon Tyne, made from synthetic rubber, is designed to mimic the qualities of natural rubber. It can withstand cold, heat, ozone, and ultraviolet exposure. This makes it totally weather resistant and is the perfect flat roofing material for homes in Newcastle upon Tyne due to the erratic climate, with the roofing also being suitable for more extreme weather conditions. EPDM rubber roofing in Newcastle upon Tyne does not split or crack due to UV light or ozone, and it also shows no signs of deterioration after being subjected to the elements for over a decade. EPDM rubber roofing in Newcastle upon Tyne has been specially made to be used on the roofs of buildings worldwide and stand up against the most severe weather conditions, including extremely hot and frigid climates.
Energy Efficiency
EPDM roofs come in white and black colours, and while it doesn’t sound like it would make much of a difference, EPDM roofing generally has a reputation for being less energy efficient than other types of roofing. This is because of the poor reflectivity of the sun’s rays. However, white EPDM was created to improve its solar reflectivity. The key characteristics of white EPDM rubber roofing are that it is UV and heat-stable and provides high reflectivity. High reflectivity measures energy and reductions of a roof’s surface. A highly reflective roof can conserve energy and reduce the peak cooling demand on the building.
In addition, clean, reflective roofs with a long service life tend to stay calm. As white EPDM has high reflectivity and good long-term thermal performance throughout the summer months, no loss of reflectivity occurs. The default climate, based on monthly average solar energy measures, changes reflectivity properties.
EPDM Roofing Installation Process
We can only assume you are considering installing a new flat roof. We carry out all aspects of flat roof construction, including traditional poured asphalt, liquid resin GRP, and EPDM rubber roofing systems, installing all over Newcastle upon Tyne and County Durham. All roofing, from conventional methods to newer resin systems, usually carries a life expectancy of 25 years. For a no-obligation quote, please call us. Full installations in a two-layer system consisting of a timber deck, 18mm OSB board, airtight vapour barrier, upstanding strips inside walls, and 1.5mm EPDM sheet, secured with mechanical fasteners and bond fast adhesive, finished with a white profile fascia to the breaking edge. They supply and fit waterproofing systems that are guaranteed for 20 years.
Today, EPDM has become one of the most common residential flat roofing systems in the United Kingdom; the systems are so reliable that the membrane is guaranteed for as long as 20 years on new roof construction. We offer complete solutions for all roof types and applications and provide the reinforced EPDM system to suit every situation. Reinforced EPDM can turn most flat roof projects into a manageable DIY job. This demonstrates how easy it is to install, but do not hesitate to contact the team if you have any questions; they are more than happy to help with any aspect.
EPDM Preparation and Inspection
Whether the new roof installation or the existing roof return has been installed, the task always starts with a thorough inspection and preparation. First of all, no prep work can be done without a proper inspection of the working surface. Inspecting existing flat roofs can be demanding, as no two existing roofing materials age similarly. To give you a better idea of what to expect when inspecting any pre-existing flat roofing and a better understanding of the quality of work involved at your property, we would like to share with you some pictures of roof inspections that we do daily with the highest level of proficiency and attention to detail.
The existing roofing and felt are carefully removed from the main roof deck. Inspection of the roof deck and the primary roof reinforcement follows. The new insulation boards are mechanically fixed to the roof deck to comply with the building regulations and to be covered by the 20-year guarantee for EPDM. The roof must be insulated with at least 3mm of old insulation boards. All existing and external corner trims are positioned and fixed to the building fabric. In specific residential applications, what follows will include the construction of the necessary falls to aid the drainage process. On sceptical roof surfaces with risings, we employ the off-the-hammer falls option. A traditional timber frame construction option is also available. Holes and curb openings for roof penetrations are drilled and cut using electric tools with specially engineered blades. The rainwater outlets are heat-welded to the roofing material. A properly sized EPDM membrane is delivered to the workplace. Extra attention should be paid to the condition of the roofing material; the growing amount of surface damage might affect the 20-year warranty. We will measure your roofing membrane and flashings to avoid folds or puddles of water and unnecessary material waste.
All the EPDM sheets and flashings are then bonded to the roofing deck perimeter so that the membrane is allowed to relax in any position possible. Bonding to the building fabric is made using special sealants. Plenty of sealants are on the market; however, we use the top-of-the-range, waterproof configuration for flat roofing applications. The sealant is left for 10 minutes for tackiness to develop before the EPDM membrane is positioned over the rafters. The sealant forms and covers the whole periphery of the internal corner trims.
Post-Installation Care
EPDM rubber roofing is quick and easy to install. However, poor installation can lead to extensive problems. If such installation occurs, you may experience leaking, even if the roof looks great. The work of the fast fitters may cover up potential problems, which can come back to haunt you before long. Faulty EPDM material may be the cause, but the damage may also result from poor fitting, improper removal of the old roof, or careless installation of the new one. Hiring a quality roofer is essential in determining how satisfied you'll be with your new roof. For the first two years, ensure things are good by individually checking the installation, sealing the seams, and inspecting the EPDM rubber.
Rubber has a great life expectancy with little roof maintenance and is relatively simple to look after. The sun is the most harmful environmental factor for EPDM roofing since UV rays age the rubber. EPDM should get no water pooling under its membrane. Note that many roofing installers provide service contracts with the installation or delivery of the EPDM roofing to advise you on your roof's regular general health and check the installation.
Common Issues and Solutions
We face many common problems once the rubber roofing systems are installed. Generally, the rubber roofing systems are installed well, so there are no issues regarding those systems. However, problems occur when the system is installed poorly. When people are equipped with the proper knowledge of architecture, these issues can be quickly resolved. The main problems with rubber roofing systems are 1) The seams and edge building and 2) Adhering the linings. There are many more issues beyond these when the rubber sheet itself blackens. This means that the UV radiation exposure is high and tends to oxidize the liner, leading to cracking. The solutions can be easily handled once the correct instructions are followed. Such work is done in two steps; however, they have a shorter lifespan than newer methods. Using 9-inch or 12-inch flashing tape can reduce the damage from UV rays. These flashing tapes secure the lining over folds, preventing indentations created by the folding on the backside of doors or window frames.
Punctures and Tears
Professionally installed single-ply roofing systems are not prone to punctures or tear damage. Unprotected rooftop penetrations, dropped equipment, tool damage, and abuse on the roof are the most common causes of punctures and tears in the membrane. Repairs should be made with compatible materials, which may require a sealant to make a watertight, compatible repair. Applying separation fleece or walkway pads as a protective measure is common for roofs with heavy subcontractor and maintenance traffic. Unprotected rooftop penetrations or punctures, dropped equipment, and tool damage are the most common causes of punctures and tears in the rubber membrane.
In many cases, the problems relate to equipment, such as units that have not been fastened securely to the roof or to the failure to install walkway pads that prevent damage when service personnel need to access units mounted outside of any curb. For this and other reasons, roofs are designed with as few rooftop penetrations as possible. Roof findings not only create apparent leaks, but they are also highly tedious and time-consuming to locate and seal. Repairs should be made with compatible materials, which may require a sealant to make a watertight, compatible repair. Since the proper design of the roof cannot stop heavy construction equipment from causing roof damage, if such periods are scheduled, then adequate safeguards are necessary. Applying separation fleece or walkway pads as a protective measure is common for roofs with heavy use and maintenance traffic. The repair preparation requires cleaning the membrane surface, a process that cannot be avoided.
Seam Failures
Fails may occur in adhered, mechanically fastened, or ballasted membranes. The actual failure mechanism depends on the membrane type and attachment method. In adhered membranes, seam failures may occur between laps, at corners and way up details, split seams, and sheet tears. The seam failure occurs at the membrane’s lapping zone, where the overlap is the most significant. The membrane lap must be wiped carefully with a damp cloth to remove the chalk-release agents gently. A primer must then be applied on each surface before bonding the seam. It is a common mistake for contractors to use the adhesive before properly drying the primer. Wet primer reduces the adhesive bonding strength in the area where the adhesive is thin, resulting in a seam with only peripheral bonding. Manufacturers generally define stripping zones as being at a distance from seams. These areas must be kept clean from construction waste to ensure proper adhesion. The wrong type of adhesive can cause lap disbonding instead of trying to dissolve the old glue, especially when a large percentage remains on the membrane surface.
Another frequent cause of lap failures is the installer's inexperience in handling the membrane. It is also crucial to avoid seaming or altering the air or substrate temperature when the relative humidity is too high. No sealant or sealant of inappropriate density that was trimmed before seaming will hurt the seam’s longevity. Since the sealant could age differently from the membrane, the sealant might shrink and deteriorate. As soon as we talk about a membrane ballasted system, there are no seam failures. However, water can find its way between loose lapped sheets or at details, even wreaking havoc from this location on the building. Maintaining and replacing the ballast when necessary is always advisable to prevent seam or other membrane installation problems.