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Rubber Roof Maintenance

September 3, 2024 | General

When it comes to caring for your rubber roof, nothing is more important than regular maintenance and inspections. It’s no secret that rubber roofing is designed to last, and with its fantastic durability in harsh conditions, it‘s important to make sure your roof stays in optimal working order.

There are many checks you can perform regularly to ensure the integrity of the roof is not compromised:

Regular Roof Inspections

One of the most straightforward tasks is a regular inspection of the roof. Carrying out a thorough check of the roof will help you proactively spot any parts of the system which may cause issues in the future; this will help you anticipate any damage or leaks which could lead to more severe issues in the future.

Looking for signs such as a build-up of debris (e.g. leaves, branches, or objects such as roof tiles) or pooling water on the roof surface will help you identify any potential problems before they have impacted the integrity of the roof.

Cleaning your EPDM Rubber Roof

Another key aspect contributing to the longevity of the EPDM system is ensuring that the roof remains clear and free from debris - this can be identified during your regular inspections. Over time, dirt, debris and organic matter such as leaves will accumulate on the roof, and this must be removed ahead of time to reduce the chance of damage to the membrane.

Cleaning your EPDM roof is simple: using a soft-bristle broom, loose debris can be swept away. For more stubborn dirt or stains, a mild detergent can be used in conjunction with a soft-bristle brush to work the dirt free from the membrane.

Repairing Damage To The Membrane

Whilst it is rare that an EPDM membrane is damaged, precautions must be taken in the event damage is identified. Punctures, tears or seam failure can all be repaired ahead of time, and we have plenty of supporting material to help ensure you can tackle each of these problems. For more information, view our blog post on repairing your EPDM flat roof.

Addressing Ponding Water

Ponding water is water which remains on the roof for more than 48 hours after a storm or downpour and can be detrimental to the longevity of your EPDM roofing system, as well as the substrate. This water adds additional weight to the roof, which can impact structural elements if not removed.

While EPDM is also water-resistant, prolonged exposure to standing water can weaken seams and adhesives over time, leading to the lifting/flapping of the EPDM membrane. To prevent ponding/pooling, ensure that the roof has adequate drainage and that gutters are free from blockages. If ponding/pooling is happening regularly, this may instead be an issue regarding an inadequate slope of the roof.

Why Does Rubber Roof Maintenance Matter?

There are several core reasons why EPDM roof maintenance is important, however none is more important than ensuring the longevity of the solution and keeping your roof free from leaks.

With the solution being out of direct eye line in most cases, it‘s sometimes easy to forget about regular maintenance, but with the importance of the continued success of the system, it’s worth taking the time to ensure no problems are occurring.

Regularly checking your roof brings several benefits, including:

The spotting of early warning signs of damage
A lengthening of your roofs lifespan
Decreasing the likelihood of system failure, negating roofing repair costs
Ensuring that the roof continues to perform its function, and is not leaking, or contributing to structural damage.

Conclusion

Flat roof maintenance is important and, with regular attention, our system can last over 20 years. We believe in our Techno EPDM product and understand that our customers don’t just purchase a membrane for their project, they also purchase quality. We have various resources available to help you get started on your next EPDM roofing project, including our installation videos, step-by-step guides, and user-friendly roofing calculator. We also offer on-site training at our High Wycombe premises, with expert advice on hand whenever you need it via our account management team.