How to Install a Rubber4Roofs EPDM Rubber Roof

Clean the roof surface prior to installation

Be sure the roof surface is clean, free of dust, dirt, rust, oil, grease, and loose material. The roof surface must be dry. This product will not adhere to wet surfaces. Trapped moisture may vaporize and negatively affect the performance of this product. This system is best installed onto a timber deck either exterior grade ply or OSB3. 

Any residual bitumen from an old roof should either be removed or over boarded as this will adversely affect the performance of the EPDM rubber membrane.

Install the Drip batten wherever a gutter is present. This will extend the roof deck so that water run off drips in to the gutter rather than behind the gutter.

The Drip Trim has a front and back piece. Install theDrip Trim backplate using the nails provided. Align the curved top edge of the trim with the timber batten.

Chase out brick mortar joint using angle grinder or mortar chisel ready to accept Wall Trim flashing.

Allow the rubber membrane to relax in position for 30 minutes.

Fold the rubber membrane back to expose half of the roof deck.

Apply Water Based Deck Adhesive using a 9" paint roller. Leave a 150mm un-bonded area around the roof deck perimeter for bonding later with Contact Adhesive

Roll the EPDM membrane back in to position immediately whilst the adhesive is STILL WET

If the adhesive dries out (becomes opaque) before the membrane is relayed then a thin coat can be applied to the back of the MEMBRANE and allowed to dry before installing. Apply adhesive to smaller area in hot whether to avoid premature drying.

(Water based adhesives should only be used when the outside temperatures is 4 degrees and rising and no chance of freezing conditions in the following 24-48 hours)

Sweep EPDM membrane to remove trapped air and improve bonding to substrate.

Apply a THIN coat of Contact Adhesive to the roof deck perimeter (approximately 150mm width) and any vertical upstands. Also apply the Contact Adhesive to the back of the rubber membrane.

Contact Adhesive can also be used to bond the rubber membrane to most porous and non-porous surfaces so can be used in place of water based deck adhesive if necessary

Ensure the Contact Adhesive is touch dry and there are no puddles of adhesive.

The Contact Adhesive gives off a vapour as it cures. If the membrane is bonded before the Contact Adhesive has fully dried bubbles/blisters may appear. These bubbles should disappear  over time due to the EPDM membrane being breathable.

Apply light pressure using penny roller to ensure Elastoform bonds to all surfaces.

The membrane can be folded without cutting when detailing an external roof corner prior to installing edge trims.

Pinch the rubber membrane together to form a pigs ear.

Fold pigs ear on to side of roof.

Place the trim corner in position apply pressure to squash the foam sealer and nail the polypins in to fascia and batten.

The Plastic trim Kerb Edge is designed to deflect water back on to the roof. (traditionally this would be achieved with an arris rail).

Cut the kerb edge trim to length and apply pressure to the top of the trim and then polypin to secure

The foam should be compressed by 70-80%

Snap the joint clips provided in to position.

Fit plastic trim Drip or Gutter front trim using polypins provided and install jointing clips where necessary.

Trim Excess Rubber Membrane where necessary.

The completed rubber roof has a life expectancy of 50+ years and will require very little maintenance throughout its life.

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