Please find below a list of common questions relating to flat roofing maintenance, installation and repair.
Q) What is RubberBond™ EPDM?
A) RubberBond™ Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer synthetic sheet rubber membrane is a remarkable material that:
- Repels all moisture, snow and rain.
- Is flexible and easily bends with no stress, to follow the contours of the roof, upstands to walls, check curb edges, skylights, pipes, terminations into gutters and the like.
- Can stretch with up to 300% elongation, which easily accommodates building movement.
- Is not affected by extremes of temperature.
- Will not tear, split or crack with age.
- Is manufactured in large sheet sizes from 3.05 to metres wide and up to 30.5 metres long.
Q) What does “FleeceBack™” mean?
A) This patented technology laminates a layer of non-woven polyester to the underside of the RubberBond™ EPDM resulting in:
- A thicker stronger product.
- Over twice the thickness of standard EPDM.
- 180%* plus greater tear resistance.
- 60%* plus greater impact resistance.
- There is no shrinkage or stress to cause leaks at laps, flashings, up stands or other angle changes or penetrations. *Greater than standard 1.14-thick EPDM
Q) Are EPDM synthetic rubber roofing membranes new?
A) No. The first synthetic rubber membranes, developed in America by Carlisle-Syntec™, were laid in the 1960s and are still protecting flat roofs some 40 years later.
- Carlisle provides what no other single-ply manufacturer can – over 40 years of experience, credibility and reliability.
Q) How long will a RubberBond™ FleeceBack™ EPDM roof last for?
A) All evidence, real life exposure, and laboratory tests suggest that when correctly installed, a RubberBond™ FleeceBack™ roof will last in excess of 40 years.
Q) How proven is EPDM?
A) Over one billion square metres of EPDM have been installed worldwide from the glaring sun of the Middle East to the Arctic conditions of Alaska. Over one hundred million square metres will be installed this year.
Q) Is RubberBond™ EPDM synthetic rubber membrane suitable for my flat roof?
A) EPDM rubber is suitable for virtually all flat and low sloping roofs.
Q) Are all roofing surveys free and without obligation?
A) Yes. An Independent RubberBond™ approved contractor offers a full service including:
- Design and specification.
- Written quotation.
Q) What does RubberBond™ EPDM look like?
A) It has a smooth, natural, slate grey finish.
Q) Can I walk on it?
A) Yes, it is resistant to frequent foot traffic. For heavy usage such as roof patio areas it can be overlaid with a variety of durable finishes, paving slabs, timber or plastic decking etc.
Q) Is RubberBond™ EPDM expensive?
A) No, despite its considerable technical advantages it compares well with other quality roofing systems and because of its long life span, will often work out to be much cheaper over time.
Q) Is RubberBond™ environmentally friendly?
A) RubberBond™ EPDM is an inert material with limited environmental impact during manufacture and use of the product.
Q) If EPDM is so good why isn’t everyone using it?
A) The manufacturers have invested millions of dollars into manufacturing processes and branding. To protect these investments only trained and approved installers that have proved they can maintain the highest of standards, are allowed to use the materials. This has, until recently, been predominantly in the commercial sector, but is now at last also available, through approved RubberBond™ installers to residential properties, utilizing the RubberBond™ EPDM roofing system.
Q) Why do I need a RubberBond™ Approved Installer?
A) No matter how good a product is, quality installation is essential. RubberBond™ for your peace of mind is only available from Independent Approved Contractors who have passed a full installation training course.
Q) What’s the point of the stones on the old roof?
A) They are for solar-reflection, to keep the roof covering cool, also they are ballast to keep the roof down and in place. EPDM rubber roofing doesn’t have a problem with heat, so no solar stone covering or paint is needed. It’s also stuck down so there is no need for ballast.
Q) Is the old decking OK to re-use?
A) Yes, in this case the decking was in very good condition after we cleaned it up. Sometimes it has rotted away and we have to replace small areas.
Q) Is old decking the best thing to lay EPDM over?
A) If we had the choice we would replace the decking with “sterling board” as this carries a BBA certificate that means it has been tested to withstand the conditions it’s being used in.
Q) How big are the rolls of EPDM?
A) A roll is 3m wide and 15m long. This size is just about manageable by two men. Bigger rolls are available but we only ever use them on very large projects because of the cost of moving them.
Q) Can you join the rubber sheets?
A) Yes, we use joining tapes and cover strips that have been designed to work with the system. The complete system has been tested and has a BBA certificate. The life span is expected to last more that 40 years.
Q) What about it getting cold and brittle?
A) It’s been tested down to -40°C and is still malleable. Samples have been removed from roofs that are 40 years old and the samples have only demonstrated a 10% loss of elasticity.
Q) What are the metal edging strips?
A) The metal edging strips are galvanised steel with a plastic coating. They are designed to work with the system, replacing the old lead flashings that are heavy and bulky.
Q) So why use sterling board instead of ply?
A) Sterling board carries a BBA certificate that proves that it has been tested to work as roof decking, you would have to use a very expensive ply to get a BBA certified , a lot of roofers use cheep shuttering ply thinking that it is up to the correct standards.
Q) What’s the glue for?
A) The glue is for keeping the felt down on the decking, without the glue the wind could lift the rubber and blow it away.
Q) Can you join the rubber sheets?
A) Yes we use joining tapes and cover strips that have been designed to work with the system. The complete system has been tested and has a BBA certificate. The Life span is expected to last more that 40 years.
Q) What’s the felt on the back of rubber for?
A) This quilt is unique to RubberBond it gives itit180% grater tear resistant. It also gives it a 60% plus grater impact resistant.
Q) What happens if the decking moves will it break the rubber?
A) The rubber can stretch to over twice its length without break so any slight movent in joints of decking wont make adirence.
Q) How to you joint the rubber?
A) Rubber EPDM has proven patented tapes speshaly formulate to bond the rubber together, the complee system has been tested and carrys a BBA sertificate.
Q) How green is RubberBond?
A) Becouse a rubberbond roof is expected to last 40 years+ and a felt roof is only expected to last 10 years one couldsae that it is 4 times greener than felt however it is also only a singel ply materials Ie its only layed in one ler ware felt islaye in three layers therofr this makes it 3 time greener again.
Q) Can I have a green roof?
A) Yes epdm can be used under green roofs in fact its one of the best materials to yous as its completely enert and therare no toxit delivered into the soyal unlike copper roofing and lead roofing.