Simple Tips on How to Install Rubber Roofing

There are two kinds of rubber roofing systems, the shingled roof and whole roof. The latter has one piece of rubber which covers and seals the entire surface of the roof. But in the shingled roofing system, various rubber shingle layers are used, just like in the case of other roofing shingles, which protect the home from any dangerous weather elements. Installation requires relevant workshop tools, time and a couple of instructions. Here are tips on how to install rubber roofing as well as the necessary tools and materials used in the installation process.

Whole Rubber Roofing

Requirements
- Rolls of EPDM Rubber roofing
- Broom
- Roller
- Shovel
- Rubber roofing adhesive
- Claw-hammer

Steps
First, remove any old shingles prior to the installation of a fresh rubber roofing system. Using a shovel, loosen them and then take them off with a claw-hammer.

Search all the loose roof boards and then re-attach them. Moreover, cover gaps which are wider (more than one quarter-inch) using wooden strips. Ensure that every preexisting nail and all the remains of the previous last roofing surface get eliminated properly. A workshop broom may be used in sweeping the above remains off and cleaning the surface of the roof.

Begin to roll out EPDM rubber roofing membrane from one roof side, then to the middle and finally to the other end. Laying it may take about 25-30 minutes.

Fold your rubber roof membrane in half and then sweep the entire visible half portion of the deck (also called the roof board) as well as the upper portion of your folded rubber membrane.

Next, apply a special rubber roofing adhesive. Using a roller, apply your adhesive on the deck and your folded roof membrane.

Gradually and slowly unfold your roof membrane to return it to the initial position. For a strong bond of your adhesive, use a push broom to press down your roof membrane against the deck to exert more force.

Redo the final 3 steps in the other half portion of the roof. After the rubber roof has taken appropriate position, sweep the whole deck using the broom for the last roof membrane installation.

Shingled Rubber Roofing

Requirements
- Nail
- Shingles
- Push broom
- Tar paper
- Razor knife
- Electric staple gun

Steps
Clear the roof off by elimination of every remnant of the last tar paper and shingles. Sweep your deck and clean it for a fresh installation.

Roll out the tar paper to cover your roof board by carefully stapling the paper to the surface of the roof using an electric staple gun at intervals. Cut the extra tar paper off at every edge of your roof using a razor knife.

Lay the initial shingles row in their right position along one of the edges of your roof with a nail gun.

Lay the next shingles row by making them to overlap the initial one at the end. Remember to start from the roof’s bottom corner to the ridge. Placing the shingles in a row is done in an upward direction.

Redo the process of laying the rows until you reach the ridge and then proceed to the other part of the roof.

photo credit: EPDM Rubber Flat Roofing via photopin cc