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EPDM ROOFING:  BASIC PROCEDURE

The following illustrations describe how EPDM rubber can be used to waterproof a simple shed roof with three sides open and a fourth side intersecting a wall. Although the procedures show the rubber fully adhered to the roof surface, when the rubber is to be covered with materials weighing at least five pounds per square foot such as floating wood decks, concrete pavers, gravel, or soil, it is only necessary to adhere the first few feet in from the edges, up the walls, and over the edges.

For safe delivery, we supply all rubber roof sheets folded and boxed. Since the rubber weighs about one-third of a pound per square foot, sheets up to 500 square feet can be carried by two people, but larger sheets can be quite heavy and difficult to manage. One solution is to rent a light-duty type crane (the type used to install commercial signs are relatively inexpensive). When using a crane, make certain the spot where the rubber is set down can handle the weight!

 

chalk line on wall

STEP 1:  Using a pencil, mark the desired
rubber perimeter on the wall and roof edges.

 

 

tape wall

STEP 2:  Apply Termination Tape to the wall just
below the line. Do not remove the protective paper.

 

 

tape edge

STEP 3:  Apply Termination Tape to the roof edges just
above the lines. Do not remove the protective paper.

 

 

tape transition

STEP 4:  Apply Termination Tape to connect the wall
and roof tapes so the entire rubber perimeter is sealed.

 

 

pull rubber from box

STEP 5:  Pull the rubber from the
shipping box and drag it across the roof.

 

 

spread rubber sheet

STEP 6:  Unfold the sheet by pulling it across the roof.
Flipping the sheet will force air underneath so it floats into place.

 

 

allow sheet to relax

STEP 7:  After the sheet is in postion, fold back the edge
adjacent to the wall. Wait at least an hour for the rubber to “relax”.

 

 

fold back from wall

STEP 8:  Pull back the folded edge adjacent to the wall,
taking care not to move the remainder of the sheet.

 

 

apply adhesive to wall side

STEP 9:  Using a paint roller, apply Bonding
Adhesive to the exposed rubber, roof, and wall.

 

 

push back to wall

STEP 10:  After the adhesive is dry, carefully push back the
sheet. To prevent wrinkles, avoid creasing in the leading edge.

 

 

press at base of wall

STEP 11:  Using a clean wood board, press the rubber
firmly into the corner where the roof and wall meet.

 

 

expose termination tape on wall

STEP 12:  Peel the protective paper off the Termination
Tape on the wall to expose the tacky tape surface.

 

 

lift sheet up wall

STEP 13:  Slowly lift the sheet onto the wall,
pressing it into the adhesive and finally into the tape.

 

 

roll wall

STEP 14:  Firmly roll the rubber on
the wall to insure a good bond.

 

 

fold back outside edge

STEP 15:  Pull back the opposite edge
to expose the other half of the roof.

 

 

adhere outside

STEP 16:  Apply Bonding Adhesive to the
exposed parts of the rubber and the roof.

 

 

push back outside

STEP 17:  After the adhesive is dry, carefully push back the
sheet. To prevent wrinkles, avoid creasing in the leading edge.

 

 

broom rubber

STEP 18:  Using a large roller or push broom, apply
pressure to the surface of the rubber to assure proper bonding.

 

 

expose tape on wall

STEP 19:  Reach under the overhanging rubber and
strip the protective paper from the Termination Tape.

 

 

cut corner

STEP 20:  Slit the corners of the rubber with a utility
knife so the overhanging rubber can drop into place.

 

 

press side against tape

STEP 21:  Form the rubber around the roof
edge and press the rubber into the tape.

 

 

roll side into tape

STEP 22:  Firmly roll the rubber at the
roof edge to insure a good bond.

 

 

clean corner

STEP 23:  Clean the slit corners with
toluene, naptha, or white gasoline.

 

 

apply flashing

STEP 24:  Seal the slit corners with Uncured
Laminate Tape. See EDGE TRANSITIONS.

 

 

screw wall bars

STEP 25:  Screw Wall Termination Bars
through the rubber and Termination Tape.

 

 

caulk drip bar

STEP 26:  Apply Silicone Caulk for EPDM to
the back of the Drip Edge Termination Bars

 

 

screw drip bar

STEP 27:  Screw the Drip-Edge Termination
Bars through the rubber and Termination Tape.

 

 

screw transition bar

STEP 28:  Screw short lengths of Wall Termination Bars to
connect the bars on the wall and edges, sealing the perimeter.

 

 

trim excess

STEP 29:  Carefully trim the rubber to the underside
of the termination bars with a sharp utility knife.

 

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