Each year approximately 6 million sq. feet of rubber roofing are installed in Indiana and it’s not only because Firestone, a major rubber roofing manufacture, is located in Indiana, a properly installed and maintained rubber roof can last for many years. EPDM Rubber roofing is typically installed in Indiana in one of three ways, loose laid and held down by river stone or Ballasted, Mechanically attached with screws and bars, or fully adhered or glued down. Regardless of how your EPDM roof was installed, these tips will help you do a better job inspecting your flat roof.
1. Visually check up. Walking the roof is a great way to start your inspection. You are looking for anything that might stand out as a problem such as a tear, puncture, or hole in the membrane. Leaking roofs are not alway a mystery, many times the problems can easily be found by doing a visual inspection or the roof. Check drains and gutters to make sure they aren’t clogged and are allowing water to pass as well as coping caps on top of walls to ensure they aren't loose or missing from wind. As you walk the roof pay attention to the constancy of insulation below the rubber, a “soft spot” or place in the roof that compresses more when stepped on may be evidence of a leak.
4. Debris and Third party damage. An effort should be made to keep roof top clean of natural debris like sticks and leaves but also debris left by service companies such as HVAC contractors. Things like small screws or metal shavings need little more than to be stepped on to puncture or cut the rubber. Implementing a roof top sign in sheet will help your faculties manager monitor roof activities and which companies are leave behind garbage.
Taking care of your rubber roof will not only extend its life cycle, it can help you avoid costly emergency roof repairs. Scheduled repairs and routine maintenance are usually much cheaper and effective.