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How To Install Rubber Roofing On A Flat Roof

February 19, 2022
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Many individuals endorse rubber for flat roofs because traditional roofs depend on gravity to keep water away from the home's building. Because a flat roof is just that, flat, gravity cannot drag the water away. Rubber roofing can be built out of rubber, plastic polymers, or a combination of the two. Made from recycled tires, sawdust, and slate dust, the materials are environmentally friendly. Rubber roofing is utilized to prevent leaks and provide a more impermeable seal. Synthetic single-ply membrane roofing is durable, waterproof, and pliable. Because of its flexibility, rubber roofing can go where asphalt roofing can't. 

The greatest challenge for a rubber roof is where chimneys and pipes extrude. To make room for these, the rubber must be cut off. This results in seams. On a rubber roof, seams are the most common source of leaks. The most straightforward approach is to ensure that all seams on your roof are appropriately sealed, and that roof flashing is used around all joints. 

Rubber roof flashing comes in a variety of styles. Rubber roof flashing sleeves and single sections that must be dressed around the extruding object are available. Even though the sleeves are precut and straightforward to install, they may not always fit correctly. A poor fit causes leaks. Here is where you need us at NY roofing. We provide professional roofing services in all NY vicinities. 

Step-By-Step Procedure On How To Install Rubber Roofing On A Flat Roof 

Step 1- clean the area. 

You may not realize it, but trying to put in a rubber roof on an unclean and dust-covered roof deck is one of the awful things you can do. This is due to two factors. 

The first is that adhering the membrane to an unclean roof will undoubtedly result in a lumpy mess you will want to redo. Second, if the surface is not clean and free of trash, the adhesive utilized in rubber roofing will not stick reliably. 

Scouring your roof does not have to be complicated; all you need to do is dust it down with a soft home brush to eliminate fine dust to produce an optimal working surface. Remove any oil or grease marks as well. 

Step 2- Allow your rubber roof to breathe before installing it. 

Get your new roof out and let it unwind after you've cleaned the roof and prepared it for the membrane application. The membrane might wrinkle while being shipped, and it can also compress or widen during the shipping procedure. You will be able to apply a smooth and wrinkle-free roof with comfort if you give it some time to unwind. 

Step 3- It's time to put your glue to work. 

When installing an EPDM roof, you must ensure that it is correctly bonded down. You'll need to use two distinct types of glue during the membrane installation process. Water-based glue is the first. For the most outstanding results, utilize Permaroof deck adhesive. 

Wrap back one-half of the layer before you apply the glue to the roof decking to fix this. This should be done with a 9" roller to ensure that the glue is administered correctly and that no lumps are noticeable behind the membrane once it has dried up. Utilize contact adhesive at the edges after the water-based adhesive has been used. This glue is significantly tougher than the water-based adhesive, and it must be worked on to the roof's edges. Contact glue dries faster than water-based adhesive and should be used on both the roof deck and the membrane. You would have everything you need in the appropriate quantities if you bought a flat roof kit. 

The easiest part is putting the membrane onto the roof deck if you have got the adhesive and procedure right from the onset. Ensure it is put out evenly and that there are no air bubbles at its bottom. You may be concerned that installing a rubber roof will be challenging, but in reality, it is relatively simple. 

Consider the procedure, get the suitable materials, and double-check that you have everything you want, and you’ll have a gorgeous rubber roof in no time. 

How To Install A Roof Flashing To A Flat Roof Rubber 

Step 1- Make sure the joint is ready to be flashed. 

It's critical to use clean, dry rubber while working with it. As a result, the first thing you should do is sweep away any trash on or around the region. Let it dry after meticulously washing both the post and the rubber with warm water. Eliminate the rubber roof flashing's backing and place the adhesive side up. The glue is already integrated into the flashing. 

When the post and rubber are entirely dry, put rubber cleaning solvent to the sticky side of the flashing and the post itself, respectively, with a paintbrush. About the post in which the flashing will be installed, put the solvent. Leave for five to ten minutes for this to dry. 

Step 2- Put the Flashing in Place 

Fold up the flashing piece in half lengthwise, making sure the sticky side is on the exterior of the fold. Fix the flashing to the post by securely draping it around it with the aperture pointing above. Make sure the flashing's underneath is flush with the roof. Start unwinding the flashing after wrapping it around three of the four sides of the post—Tuck the upward-folded piece of flashing down so that it lays over the roof. Make sure there are no fizzles when you do this—complete draping the flashing around the post now that you've completed the first three edges. Fold the final edge. If any air fizzles form, use a small hand roller to eliminate them. 

Step 3- Protect the Flashing and Take Pride in Your Work 

Fix the seam tape across the top of the flashing where it first comes across with the post to strengthen it. Fix the seam tape to the place where the two ends of the flashing join together as well. Self-adhesive flashing does not require any drying time. It is safe after you have positioned it. This allows you to check your design instantly and take delight in a job done well. 


Installing a rubber roofing yourself, though it seems pretty straightforward, could be a daunting task. Contact us at NY Roofing to help relieve you of your stress. You can reach us at (646) 8380441. 

Royal Renovators Inc is Fully Licensed and Insured, with Offices Throughout the NYC Area.
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