Roofing Blog - Rubbaseal Roofing

We’re sure you’ve seen the Channel 5  TV programme Cowboy Builders. We watch in horror as these rogue traders damage the homes and lives of innocent families. They force people out of their homes and take money from unsuspecting victims, who thought they had found a trustworthy builder.

As we’ve been in the trade for over 20 years, we wanted to share with you our top tips on how to spot cowboy builders and even rogue roofers.

1. They are in a rush to start - Alarm bells should begin to ring if a builder is in a rush to start. Most trustworthy tradesmen will be busy and have other jobs to complete before being able to start your job. Cowboy builders will rush to complete (or not complete!) all jobs in a specific area before leaving without a trace.

2. Contact details - All genuine tradesmen will be able to give you an address and a landline number. If they’re only willing to give you a mobile number, you should ask questions!

3. Unable to provide references - Ask yourself WHY. Do they have the experience they claim to have? Do they have a good reputation? What do they have to hide? 

4. Very cheap quotes/estimates - A cowboy builder will always wow you with their low prices, but don’t be fooled! Check that the quote you receive is clear, listing everything the builder will be doing. This will prevent them from being able to carry out any additional work (and asking for extra payment!) without your permission. 

5. They ask for money upfront - Most tradesmen will cover costs themselves and ask for payment once the work is complete. Otherwise, they may ask for a small deposit. Anyone asking for full payment upfront should not be trusted! Good builders should accept cash, cheques or BACS payments. Builders insisting on cash are a no no!

Builders and roofers are a great help when you want to create your dream home, but not all of them will turn your dream into a reality. We hope our tips will help you to find a reliable and trustworthy builder, who you won’t need to report to Channel 5!

When undertaking DIY, things can get pricey pretty fast. But it IS possible to complete a great project without breaking your wallet. The team at Avenir Roofing have come up with some tips to help you save money whilst making your home beautiful! 

·     Planning permission – Always ensure that planning permission isn’t needed for the work you’re about to start. If it is – apply! Local councils have the authority to pull down anything they haven’t granted permission for. We can’t think of anything worse then spending time and money on a job for it to be ripped away! You’ll have to do it all again, and that’s IF your local council decide to grant you permission.

·     Budget and compare – Plan your budget and write a shopping list! This may seem inconvenient, but it WILL save you from over spending on things you don’t need. Also, don’t buy straight away! Compare prices at 4 or 5 different stores, you’ll be amazed with the savings you can make.

·     Tools – Firstly, make sure you have the right tools. We can’t imagine the children would be too happy if you were to destroy their tree house using the wrong drill! Also, don’t blow your budget buying tools. Does a neighbour have tools you can borrow? Do you have a tool that does more than one job? Tools can be expensive so do your research first!

 ·     Measure – Measure twice, cut once. Always double-check your measurements to save yourself spending money on the same products twice!

 ·     Think – Can you really take on the job? No matter how organised and experienced you are, some jobs are just too big. Do your research and if you’re in doubt, it may be time to call in a professional.

Roof Detailing & Accessories

You have your brand new EPDM Flat roof ready for the cold winter months - but have you made sure it is protected in order to keep it looking smart and remaining extra sturdy?! Whether your flat roof is on your house, your garage or a commercial building, you might want to make sure you’re going to get the most out of it all year round.

EPDM offers a number of benefits including:

Superior durability

Seamless sheets that can be fitted in one piece

Low life-cycle cost

Flame-free

Easy and quick to self install

High flexibility

Eco-friendly properties

Recovery of rainwater so no flooding or leakages

Fire resistant

BUT if you do want to keep your roof in extra good condition, you might need a little help from a few products and applicators!

As well as EPDM material, we also stock a number of other useful products that you may find yourself in need of to keep your home or building looking as good as new and helping prevent any unwanted flooding or breakages. Maybe you want to top up the paint on your walls and need a good quality paint brush or roller, or you might just want to add a gutter trim to the outside of your home to give it a smart finish.

Our range of roof detailing products and accessories are available to order online through our easy online order page, or over the telephone.

Here is just some of what we have to offer...

Rollers and Paint Brushes - the easiest and most efficient way to spread the adhesives and creates a professional looking finish on roofing, but also flooring and other important surfaces around the home.

Paving Support - paving rings which can be used as a support system for paving slabs and any waterproofed substructure, ensuring complete stability and durability.

Trims - Wall and gutter trims can give a really professional looking finish and are supplied by us with fixings. We also stock edge trims, which are pre-drilled and foamed with fixers/joiners included.

Sealants - including water block sealant for use behind membrane when using termination bar. These can also be used with internal drain outlets, between the outlet and membrane. We also stock universal sealant, great for chases above wall trim and other joints around the home.

In The Beginning...

Firestone has been a trusted name in top quality rubber products for over 100 years and is supported by the strength of a multibillion-dollar company.

Harvey S. Firestone founded the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in 1903, manufacturing tires for the first mass-produced automobiles in America. Through the following decades, Firestone grew into a worldwide organisation developing a wide range of rubber products.

Due to the strong reputation gained, the Firestone brand is internationally known as a symbol of quality rubber products, innovation and leadership.

From Tyres to Roofs

By 1980 Firestone Building Products had gained great experience in rubber polymer technology and moved into the world of commercial roofing. That year, the very first Firestone RubberGard EPDM roof was installed in Wisconsin, USA and still remains in service today!

3 years down the line, Firestone opened its first RubberGard EPDM manufacturing plant in Prescott, Arkansas. This plant has grown in capacity and has become the largest EPDM manufacturing facility in the world.

Throughout the years, Firestone Building Products has grown from just 1 to 21 plants and expanded into multiple product lines, including EPDM rubber membranes, thermoplastic membranes, modified bitumen and polyisocyanurate insulation.

Since entering the commercial roofing industry in 1980, Firestone Building Products has produced and installed over 1.000.000.000 sqm of single-ply membranes worldwide. Consequently, Firestone Building Products are a leading manufacturer of EPDM membranes.

Ever-growing Business

Due to the success in the commercial roofing business, Firestone Building Products has expanded into non-roofing applications for its high-quality waterproofing membranes, such as lining of decorative ponds, irrigation reservoirs and canals and below grade waterproofing.

An International Marketplace

In 1990, Firestone Building Products decided to expand into markets outside the USA with the establishment of a branch office in Brussels, Belgium, the company's regional head office for Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Now Firestone Building Products has set up a wide network of distributors, contractors and sales representatives throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Dedication to sustainable Roofing and Lining solutions

Firestone Building Products is the premier single-source manufacturer and marketer of all the critical components needed for a successful, long-term roofing and lining solution.

Keen to remain top of the market leaderboard for EPDM manufacturers, Firestone continues to research, develop and introduce new and/or improved commercial roofing and lining products in a continuous effort to reduce the company's carbon footprint.

For a timeline in Firestone Roofing progression and events, please visit http://goo.gl/v7IHAU

Skylights are structures that allow light on the roof to travel to the interior of a home, office space or other building. They are especially useful in spaces that have less natural daylight, such as hallways, attics or rooms next to patios. 

What are the benefits of Skylights?

Reduction of mildew or mould buildup - many diseases are often associated with bacterial and fungal build up problems in damp areas. Natural lighting can naturally lessen the production of harmful organisms and sunlight is considered to be one of the best natural disinfectants!

Vitamin D - large amounts of sunlight can prevent vitamin D and B1 deficiencies that may cause diseases such as rickets and beriberi.

Reduced energy consumption - your electricity/heating bill could be reduced due to relying less on artificial lighting.

Improved performance due to change in working environment - previous case studies have demonstrated significant improvements in employee performance where natural lighting has been introduced into their work environment.

Aesthetically pleasing interiors - natural illumination is still the best type of lighting system used in interior design. It can be both a difficult and rewarding task to successfully incorporate natural light into a living or work space. Daylight provides better colour, better definition of space, highlights architectural details and gives an all round better aesthetic appearance! 

Our video shows you how simple it is to install and waterproof a skylight with an EPDM roof! 

If you're interested in joining other like-minded individuals, why not go along to a Building or Construction trade show in the next couple of months? We have a list of great exhibitions for you to enjoy.

These shows are not only great for finding out about the latest products, tips and tricks, but also for networking and finding potential new business.

Here are some upcoming shows to help keep you busy and in-the-know.

Ecoshowcase Leeds - 14th October 2014

The idea of this event is to encourage and support commercial development and the progress of the construction and building industry. This showcase will also be heading to London and Glasgow in November, with products such as construction and thermal products, heat exchangers and energy products.

    Landlord and Lettings Show Gateshead - 22nd-23rd October 2014

A two-day event at the Gateshead International Stadium in Gateshead. Products like latest legislation, the best products and service deal on the market in the Building Construction, Real Estate Agents industries will be showcased here.

Kent Construction Expo, Maidstone - 5th November 2014

A free entry Expo aimed at developing the construction and building industry and helping experts to come together in order to share views and experiences about the sector. It allows professionals and experts to gain useful new ideas and to enhance the skills, practices and standards of professionalism relevant to their sector.

Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Harrogate - 7th-9th November 2014

This show will be a great place to network with Scotland's self-build experts. It’s also an ideal way to source all the products, services and advice you need to create your dream home or other desired building.

For more info about these shows, including exhibitors, and all other upcoming Building and Construction Trade Shows in the UK, please visit: 

http://10times.com/unitedkingdom/building-construction/tradeshows

Continuously changing building regulations mean that the way your EPDM Flat Roof is insulated, insulation may need to be changed and your roof turned into a warm roof, rather than the typical cold roof. This type of roof construction has an insulation layer above the rafters, and another layer immediately below its weather-proof EPDM membrane.

The difficulties with a cold roof construction, particularly for bathrooms and kitchens with a flat roof, or during the winter, is that condensation can build up in between the insulation, the airspace and the timber. When the warm moist air from the house rises and passes through the ceiling, into the poorly ventilated roof space, the warm air condenses, which can lead to rotting timbers and potentially collapse of the roof.

  Warm Roof construction has a number of benefits over a traditional ‘cold roof’, essentially it is a ‘breathable roof construction’. This allows any moisture to escape, consequently preventing damp and any associated decay problems. A warm roof construction also allows heat to be conserved within a property – without the need for a ventilation system.

This roof option is both thermally efficient AND cost effective. Due to this it is a popular roof option for our unpredictable climate in the UK.

A successful way to achieve a warm roof is to use a foil backed, ply faced insulation board screwed into the deck. The membrane can then be adhered to the ply face. This option usually means that the perimeter fascias will need to be replaced as a result of the finished deck height being raised.

Do you have a room in your home which has a flat roof and in winter is very cold? Does it suffer with condensation or damp? It’s well worth having your roof checked for effective ventilation and insulation. Although you can’t see it, your roof may well suffer with hidden condensation problems.

For more information about insulation for your Flat Roof, please contact us http://www.rubba-seal.co.uk/

Now Summer is coming to a close, it is a great time to protect your garden shed with a weather-resistant EPDM roof. The last thing you need is the contents of your shed to be ruined due to a leaking roof during the winter months. If you are looking for an alternative roof solution, EPDM could be the perfect option.

EPDM advantages over Felt Roofing

Felt roofing is not a sustainable option as it’s made from crude oil, giving it it’s first disadvantage over rubber roofing. EPDM roofing is recognised as one of the most environmentally friendly alternatives. This is because it releases less harmful substances into the atmosphere during its production and installation, which means it contributes less to global warming!

Furthermore, due to its insulating properties, EPDM can be seen as a lot more protective and therefore the contents of your shed, such as bikes, tools and maybe even picnic blankets, will be much better looked after throughout winter. As well as being a great insulator, an EPDM roof will not be damaged by frost and snow through the Autumn and Winter months.

Finally, EPDM has a longer service life than felt roofing, and will need to be replaced less often, further reducing its carbon footprint.

Felt Roofing (as shown here) can be less durable and has a number of disadvantages over EPDM. Img source: http://goo.gl/1Nv4ZY

Additional Properties of EPDM

What you can expect:

Flexibility - the EPDM material has good expansion and contraction properties, making it very easy to install and less likely to tear

Lifespan - guaranteed for up to 20 years if installed correctly, keeping your garden shed protected for a good duration

Installation - EPDM can be easily installed by the shed owner. Please follow our simple video instructions!

Damage resistance and repair ability - due to requiring little upkeep, your shed roof will remain in good condition and is unlikely to need any repair work

Cost effective - requires little maintenance and is long-lasting

EPDM on a Garden Shed/Garage Area

This roofing solution could be ideal for your Garden Shed to ensure it, and its contents, are protected in the nearing colder months.

Your flat roof could be ideal for the use of solar panels, should you decide you would like to power your home or commercial property this way.

In fact, most commercial and large scale solar electric systems are installed on flat roofs!

Solar panels are usually mounted on a frame which sets the panels at the ideal angle and direction to collect the optimum solar energy. Additionally, when the system is installed they take into account the flat roof surface to ensure the area remains water tight.

Positioning solar systems on a flat roof can often be a better solution than other roofs as they are easier to access and can be fixed either directly or by using selected weights to hold the frames down, consequently avoiding penetrating the flat roof surface. As a result they require less maintenance and are more cost-effective!

Tip: Solar Panels work most effectively on South-Facing Roofs where they receive maximum exposure to sunlight.

When a South-Facing roof is not available, there is the option of mounting your panels on A-Frames. These frames are ideal for flat roofs and can be screwed to the floor, or weighted down with gravel trays.

You can achieve a perfectly South-facing installation at the optimum pitch (around 50 degrees is optimum in the UK) by using these frames for your panels.

  Check out these examples of Solar Panelled Flat Roofs -

Panels fitted on A-Frames on a flat roofed garage in order to get maximum exposure to the sun

Large scale use of Solar Panels to heat communal building

Please contact us for more information about installing Solar Panels on your EPDM Flat Roof - http://www.rubba-seal.co.uk/contact+us

Our EPDM roofing can be easily self-installed so is ideal for the keen DIY-er! But it is also great for those who need to do some one-off DIY at home. The installation process can be easily followed through our online video instructions and our customer service team are always happy to offer advice over the telephone.

Whether you’re fitting a brand new roof or revamping an old one, EPDM could be the solution. The material can be cut to the size you require and has some great advantages, such as weather resistance and cost-effectiveness.

This testimonial from one of our lovely customers explains just how simple EPDM is to install:

Just a short note to say thank-you to your company. I am far from a DIY expert but after seeking a roofer to fix my leaking roof I found myself in a position where I had to undertake the work myself.

I received prompt excellent advice prior to my order as well as when placing my order. I was apprehensive when placing the order so I called the enquiries line  the chap who I called talked me through the order stage by stage so that i got everything i needed first time.

The videos on how to fit the roof are superb.  

My wife and I fitted the new roof in around 4 hrs , and to everyone's surprise Including our own it is not only watertight but  looks very professional.

Thank-you again,

Revamp your Gardens Summer House! (& use the leftovers for your kids playhouse)

A summer house can be a great bit of outdoor space to relax in during the warmer weather (and even in winter, with a bit of heating they can be very cosy!). They can be used to enjoy some time away from the house to read a good book, hang out with friends or relax in with family after a delicious BBQ.

EPDM is an ideal material for the roof of your garden summer house. The synthetic rubber material has outstanding weatherproof properties and was developed over 20 years ago. EPDM comes in a single sheet which can be cut to size, which makes it easy to install and reduces the likelihood of leaks.

Why not treat yourself to an outdoor area to relax in on warm evenings, or revamp your old summer house this year? If yours could do with a lick of paint, why not fix that leaky roof at the same time incase you get stuck in a downpour during your BBQ.

Often, the roofing for summer houses are made from felt material, however this has a number of disadvantages. Felt roofing is highly flammable and emits harmful fumes during its installation process. It also doesn’t last as long as its rival EPDM, meaning it requires more maintenance to keep it intact and is less cost-effective!

Here are just a few advantages of using EPDM for your summer house roof:

Easy to install in simply an afternoon (fun summer activity!)

Weather resistant so it will survive wet weather, heat and chillier conditions

Despite the EPDM material being black in colour it keeps the summer house cool in winter and warm in summer

Cost-effective & low maintenance - which can last up to 50 years!

It’s so easy to install, the kids can even help during their school holidays this year. (Okay it might just be holding the roller or helping make cups of tea but at least it’s a help!) This could be a great activity to keep them, and you, busy for an afternoon this summer, whilst creating a brilliant outdoor space to enjoy at the same time. Follow our simple self installation process by watching the short video instructions on our website: http://www.rubba-seal.co.uk/videos

You could even use any leftover material to for the roof of a small playhouse or den for the kids, giving them a lovely space to play in outdoors, leaving you to enjoy your lovely child-free summer house.

Let’s hope we have a lovely dry summer, so you will have lots of time to install your new EPDM roofing! Take a look at some summer house ideas to inspire you…

Summer house perfect for guests to stay in and summer evening BBQs

A secluded place to relax away from the children!

Small, quiet office space outdoors

Image Sources:

http://goo.gl/jb3oVg

http://goo.gl/ogYfBa

http://goo.gl/1ADx6J

http://goo.gl/Ft8fnS

Making the Most of Your Flat Roof

Do you have access to a flat roof at home? We show you some brilliant ways of making use of this piece of lovely outdoor space.

Have you ever thought about creating your own unique rooftop garden? EPDM Membrane is an ideal material for flat roofs and allows you to create extra outdoor room for you and your family to enjoy. It could also be a great idea if you don’t have your own garden at home; it gives you the opportunity make use of any space you might have and enjoy being outdoors even more!

What do I need to do?

Of course, you will need to have access to your roof in order to create your own rooftop masterpiece! Whether you want a green garden for growing plants and vegetables or a decked out area to sit back and relax, consider your rooftop garden as a series of layers: The bottom layer of EPDM is waterproofing; the material is also durable, highly resistant to sunlight, flexible and is therefore able to accommodate for any movement in the structure.

EPDM roofing is a reliable option for all types of climate as it’s able to withstand temperatures as low as -54C and as high as 154C! The material is also resistant to a wide-range of other substances, such as mild acids and alkalis, oils, alcohols, and more.

When you’re planting directly onto it, EPDM rubber needs to be covered by a layer like a geotextile fleece. This will protect it from damage, and will help retain moisture for the rooftop garden. Above that you need layers for drainage and soil retention before you get to the green layer and planting. It is important to ask your flat roof provider or a builder about this and find out whether your roof can take the additional weight before planning your new rooftop. In addition, this type of garden will provide great insulation which as an added advantage as it could save you money - bonus!

If you want to deck out your rooftop instead, it’s waterproofing and durability will be crucial features. Again, consult the installer or provider to confirm your roof will be able to bear the additional weight.

If you plan on putting paving slabs your roof, you can further protect the EPDM Membrane by adding paving rings - these support up to four paving slabs each and are just £0.90p per ring!

Please read the following tips when considering EPDM in rooftop garden applications:

Choose a membrane with high puncture resistance as this will be vital when people are walking around or relaxing on the roof

Secure redundancy in the waterproofing assembly by overlaying splices to ensure flooding and pooling aren’t a likely possibility

Design the assembly to provide slope and proper drainage at the membrane level (see above)

Incorporate protection above the membrane to aid against root growth and possible puncture as this important if you are creating a green garden for people to enjoy

Incorporate a drainage layer and a root barrier to influence root growth away from membrane, making it easier to maintain

Select proper growth media for the type of roof garden intended

Take a look at these great rooftop gardens to give you an idea of what could be possible on your own rooftop!

Green rooftop garden

Decked out rooftop garden, perfect for BBQs

An area for growing plants and vegetables

Living room balcony with access to various rooftop gardens

If you’re commercial business and looking to create something even more extravagant, or just have a larger area to fill (and a bigger budget!) check out these amazing rooftop gardens for inspiration!

Rooftop garden and outdoor pool

Decked & green garden with stunning city views

Rooftop garden with various levels

Radio Rooftop Bar, London

Photo Sources: http://theselfsufficientliving.com/roof-top-garden-ideas-and-designs/ & http://freshome.com/2012/10/17/30-rooftop-garden-landscaping-ideas-or-how-to-escape-the-urban-tension/ & www.timeout.com

EPDM - Crushing the Most Common Roofing Problems

Leaking and Moisture

One of the most common and destructive issues your roof can face. Sometimes, leaks can result when single-ply membrane roofs are installed with poor seams. EPDM roofing comes in one single piece, reducing the likeliness of leakages through any seams. In addition, the polymers that create EPDM make it incredibly water-resistant. It doesn’t suffer rips and tears due to roof and foundation movements due to it’s natural elasticity. Therefore you’re unlikely to end up with unwanted ponding on the roof and potential flooding. Once installed, the innovative material can withstand extreme hot/cold temperatures and harsh frost, strong rain, hail, heavy snow conditions.

Reduced Wind Uplift Resistance, Tenting and Billowing

Another issue which can be solved by one-piece EPDM roofing. If seams are exposed to wind and rain too soon after installation, this can moisture can infiltrate the roof system or wind uplift can damage the roof membrane. We advise installing EPDM on dry days and luckily, this can be done on the day of your choice due to easy self installation. The material can be delivered to the correct size and installed by you with our simple instructions.

Poor Installation

EPDM is so easy to install yourself; we even recommend this option as it can save customers both time and money! When sheets are installed that have not yet relaxed or are put down in poor weather conditions, this can result in wrinkles, leaks, fish mouths, contraction of sheets, or blisters. Fortunately EPDM comes in a single sheet, reducing the likelihood of any errors during installation.

Lack of Maintenance

Unlike other roofing, EPDM will not require further applications or treatments. Due to its flexibility, it is unlikely to tear and does not become brittle with age. It is extremely durable and has a long life-cycle, so it will not be left looking deprived or become weak. Whereas other roofs experience problems when not well maintained, EPDM avoids this issue as it does not require continuous care for upkeep.

Ponding Water

Very common on both sloped and flat roofs, ponding can become an inconvenient issue and one that is a pain to resolve. The source of the ponding water should always be investigated and the roof inspected thoroughly before making a repair. Thanks to the permanent elasticity of EPDM, this is unlikely to be problematic due to roof and foundation movements.

Punctures and Post Installation Foot Traffic

When you go up onto the roof to check its upkeep, this puts pressure on its structure and can cause damage including punctures. It is advised that you should limit traffic on the roof, such as unnecessary trips up there to monitor it. This is especially a problem with metal roofs as they move a lot, meaning more expansion and contraction and the outcome of caulking. As EPDM is a low maintenance roof, this avoids the amount of times that you need to be on it, resulting in less damage to it and fewer problems.

Safety and Eco-Friendliness

During its installation process, felt roofing is highly flammable and emits harmful fumes, unlike EPDM. The rubber roofing alternative is a more recent innovation which can be seen as both safer and eco-friendly. It can be bonded to the roof with a cold adhesive instead of heat and doesn’t require heavy machinery to install.  Backing this is that it has been recognised by the International Kyoto Ecology agreement, demonstrating its environmentally friendly qualities. It can be installed with relatively little expenditure of energy and also helps heat retention due to its heat insulation properties. It can also be used as a base layer for green roofs - i.e rooftop gardens, further promoting its eco-friendliness.

There we have it - just some of the most common roofing dilemmas that can be solved by EPDM roofing!

One of the things we love most about what we do is the lovely feedback we receive from our customers. Whether its from loyal, long-term EPDM users or first-time customers who have recently discovered us, it is always great to have wonderful words spoken about us, our services and our products. Here are just a couple of the latest ones we have received..

I recently purchased some of your product for the first time. I am very happy with the efficiency of the service you provided and also the information given. I have never used this product before but, it's now up on the roof and looking really neat and tidy. It was delivered within two days and I am highly delighted with the end product. Thank you.

Mr I. Sheriff

---

Just a line to say thank you for excellent service with a first class product. Fitted the EPDM the weekend, no problems. Once again, a big Thank You.

Mr M. Rudd

With summer now on its way, we are dreaming of beautiful, carefree days laying in the garden or relaxing by a swimming pool!

But the weather can cause serious damage to our roofs and its important to check that they will remain reliable and sturdy through the summer months.

Low-cost, eco-friendly EPDM on a small house extension

Ok, so the English weather doesn’t always deliver sun, much to our disappointment year on year. However, we do experience the occasional heatwave and this means we ought to ensure houses and other building features are going to survive these changing weather conditions.

As the sun rarely makes a long-lasting appearance during the season, we are often faced with chillier, rainy and sometimes stormy days, giving us further reason to monitor our roofs and make sure they are suitable for all climates.

If you do have an existing problem on your roof, such as a leak in your existing roofing system (such as felt), EPDM could be the solution to your roofing issue, and is a great alternative to other roofing options. It is very cost-effective and easy to install (installation can take as little as a morning or afternoon, depending on the size of your roof), making it a perfect choice for any competent DIY-er.

EPDM is effective for use on home garages too

Using EPDM roofing means these worries are put at ease. The synthetic rubber material used for this type of roof can withstand both hot and cold weather conditions - it is flexible in the heat and is super strong, so is left undamaged by harsh, chilly forecasts.

Strong, durable rubber roofing withstands all weather conditions

With the Spring Bank Holiday coming up, why not use this opportunity to check your own roof and consider getting stuck into some DIY?

EPDM is easy to install yourself - all you need to do is follow our simple instructions and videos on our website. Fingers crossed for lovely dry weather as this will give you the perfect conditions to install your new roof! You don’t need any professional or heavy equipment either, saving you both time and money.

The material comes in just one piece and can be delivered to your door free of charge (UK only). For further information about the advantages of EPDM roofs, please visit…

What is EPDM and how can it be used on my Flat Roof?

EPDM is a highly durable type of rubber roofing material designed for flat and low-slope roofs. EPDM refers to the chemical composition of the rubber - ethylene propylene diene terpolymer. It is a popular choice for many who have a flat roof or surface and is ideal for anything from large industrial buildings to homes, and even RVs.

Why use EPDM?

Flat or low-slope roofs allow for ease of construction and ease of access for maintaining heating and cooling systems, elevator systems, etc., but they are notorious for having issues with moisture and leakage. A sloped roof allows rainwater and snow to drain away or slide off, but on a flat roof water can easily accumulate.

EPDM is one of the best choices to prevent leakage. Its unique composition and ability to stretch and flex give it great resistance to heat, cold, extreme weather, mechanical damage and UV radiation. It is possible to install EPDM in a single piece, eliminating seams. Rubba-Seal offer EPDM Membrane in a single sheet. When properly installed, it is virtually leak proof, and long-term performance studies indicate that it works as well thirty years later as it does at time of installation.

The long life span of EPDM makes it an economical choice as well as an environmentally conscious one. Rather than waste money on repairs and replacements that take time and create large amounts of construction waste, customers who choose EPDM can be confident that their roof will stay intact for at least 20 years. EPDM also takes less energy to manufacture than other roofing materials, and has the potential to be recycled into other products when it eventually reaches the end of its lifespan. 

EPDM can also be patch repaired in the unlikely event of a rip or tear, meaning that a whole-roof replacement can be avoided.

Switching to EPDM

Switching to EPDM is easy when it comes time to replace a flat roof. In general, the previous roofing material will need to be removed down to the wooden decking, to allow the adhesive to adhere properly. It is important to use an installer who has experience with EPDM and good customer reviews, as properly installation is the key to success with this material.