Rubber roofing contractors
EPDM Roofers Near Me for Commercial Rubber Roofs
EPDM is a synthetic rubber single-ply membrane installed in 3 ways, fully adhered, ballasted or mechanically attached, and the attachment method decides how it ages and where it fails.
We repair, restore and replace EPDM on flat and low-slope commercial buildings.
How do adhered, ballasted and mechanically attached EPDM roofs differ?
The 3 EPDM attachment methods differ in how the sheet is held down, which changes wind performance, weight on the structure and how easy leaks are to find.
| Factor | Fully adhered | Ballasted | Mechanically attached |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it is held | Bonded with adhesive | Loose-laid under stone or pavers | Fastened through plates at seams |
| Added roof weight | Low | High, about 10 to 12 lb per sq ft of stone | Low |
| Wind behavior | Stays flat | Relies on ballast staying in place | Can billow between fasteners |
| Finding leaks | Easier | Hard, ballast must be moved | Moderate |
| Typical use | Most reroofs | Large roofs with structural capacity | Lower-cost installs |
Why does EPDM shrink at the perimeter?
EPDM can shrink by a small percentage over 10 to 20 years of exposure, and because the field is held down, that pull concentrates at walls, curbs and edges where it tears flashings loose.
- Flashings pulled away from parapet walls, leaving a gap behind the termination bar.
- Membrane bridging at inside corners, where it no longer touches the substrate.
- Tension at pipe boots and curbs, splitting the flashing.
- Repair usually means adding membrane at the perimeter and re-terminating.
Why do EPDM seams fail?
Older EPDM roofs used liquid seam adhesive, and many of those seams, along with some early seam tapes, lose their bond after about 10 to 15 years of heat, cold and ponding.
Probe
Every seam is probed for open edges and soft spots.
Clean and prime
Opened laps are cleaned of old adhesive and primed.
Re-tape
Modern seam tape and cover strip restore the lap.
Check below
Wet insulation beside long-open seams is mapped and replaced.
How does a black EPDM roof handle heat?
Black EPDM absorbs most of the sun's heat, so its surface runs much hotter than a white roof, and white EPDM or a reflective coating is used where 1 cool roof rule applies.
The upside is flexibility. EPDM stays pliable across a wide temperature range, which is why it holds up to repeated expansion and contraction on buildings with large daily temperature swings.
How long does an EPDM roof typically last?
EPDM is commonly cited at 20 to 30 years, and thicker 60 or 90 mil sheets with good perimeter detailing tend to reach the upper end.
Ranges are general and vary with installation, climate and maintenance. Your report estimates the remaining life of your roof.
Our scan reads moisture under the rubber without cutting it; see commercial roof inspections. Older EPDM with a mostly dry assembly may suit restoration and coating.
FAQs
What is EPDM roofing?
Ethylene propylene diene monomer, a synthetic rubber single-ply membrane for flat and low-slope roofs.
Do you repair EPDM roofs?
Yes: seams, perimeter flashings, punctures and penetrations.
Are rubber roofing contractors different from TPO installers?
EPDM uses adhesives and tapes rather than heat welding, so the methods differ. We work with both.
Why is my EPDM pulling away from the wall?
Perimeter shrinkage. The flashing usually needs added membrane and re-termination.
Can EPDM be coated?
Yes, with coatings made for EPDM, once seams are repaired and wet areas removed.
Is ballasted EPDM harder to maintain?
Finding leaks is harder because ballast must be moved.
Can a new roof go over EPDM?
Sometimes, if the existing roof is dry and code allows a recover.
Is EPDM good in hot climates?
It stays flexible, but black EPDM runs hot. White EPDM or coatings reduce heat gain.
How do you find leaks under EPDM?
Seam probing plus our scan, which maps wet insulation.
How long do EPDM seams last?
Older adhesive seams often weaken after 10 to 15 years.
How do I find EPDM roofers near me?
Request a roof scan or call (310) 647-7192.
Find out how much life your rubber roof has left.
Trusted since 1983 on over 20,000 commercial roofs. California License 435836.