Things to Know about Rubber Roofing Rolls Installation

Rubber roofing rolls come as a solution of water that can be easily seeped from the leakage of the home roofing. In a worse condition, it causes water drops heavily particularly when it is rainy outside. Meanwhile, in a better condition, the home interior tends to be humid and it is definitely not good for your health.

Rubber roof tends to be waterproof. It is more flexible so that the leakage can be covered well. But sure, if you are interested to install this roofing type, there are still some matters you need to know aside from the waterproof thing mentioned above. Here are the explanations.

Read also : What is Roll Roofing ?

Rubber Roofing Rolls
Rubber Roofing Rolls

Benefits Rubber Roofing

It has been mentioned above that the rubber roofing is anti-leakage. Aside from it, there are still many more benefits you can get if you choose this roofing type. First, it tends to be more long-lasting roof. For its ability to keep itself from the weather change, the rubber roof is more durable.

You can just compare it with some traditional roofing types that often remain problems like the cracks and corrosion. Even the heat only makes rubber expand but not damage it. In general, the rubber roof can be used up to 50 years.

Second, this type of roofing requires low maintenance. Yes, the only effort is probably only in the beginning when you install the roof. Next, you don’t need to do anything else for the treatment.

On other types of roof, there is commonly moss and fungi to grow that fasten the weathering process. Well, there is no moss to grow on a synthetic material like rubber for sure.

Benefits Rubber Roofing
Benefits Rubber Roofing

Third, the rubber roof is more environmentally friendly. That’s why; it supports some go-green housing programs including the rolled rubber roofing for mobile homes. It is probably a little bit contradictive how a synthetic and chemical material like rubber can be more environmentally friendly than the natural ones like the clay roof.

The answer is regarding the fact that most of the rubber roof is made from recycled materials. Many manufacturers that produce the product also have been BBA certified to make sure that your environment will be kept safe and healthy when using the product.

Fourth, the repairing is easier. In one of the points above, it is mentioned that the rubber roof is more long lasting and durable. It means also that the product cannot be easily damaged. But in a case that the roof is damaged, the repairing is easier.

You only need to climb up above, clean the damaged area, and cover the damaged area with the appropriate primer. Lastly, cover tape to completely recover the damage.

Lastly, it is cheaper. It must be relieving for many people that what to spend for the roll roofing cost tends to be lower than others. Well, it is for the fact that the rubber itself is indeed cheap as a building material. So, it can be a solution if you want to improve your roofing without spending too much money.

Lacks Rubber Roofing

Having many benefits doesn’t mean that the rubber roofing roll is perfect. Sure, there are some lacks following behind that you should think about also.

The first lack is related to the process of installation. There will be many obstacles to face in the process since the roof must feature chimneys, vents, lanterns, and more.

Since the rubber roll is in the form of a sheet, you need to cut it off so that it will attach the roof well without covering some features mentioned above.

Lacks Rubber Roofing
Lacks Rubber Roofing

Secondly, it is probably quite hard to find the right person to install the rubber roof. Of course, if you are not experienced enough, you are not recommended to install it by yourself. The result can be not good anyway. Aside from facing chimneys, vents, and others mentioned above, the rubber tends to be soft and flexible.

Sometimes, there are bubbles on some parts that make the roof cannot look neat when it is seen from above. Uniquely, it is in line with statements from some installers or workers who need so many experiences before being able to install the rubber roof properly.

How to Install Rubber Roofing

Although it is said that the rubber roofing installation process is not something easy, it is not bad to learn about it, at least, theoretically. There are some basic steps for the installation.

All of the steps are started by cleaning the roof area like removing the leaves, twigs, and other debris. Aside from the rubber roofing roll, there are some other tools and equipment to be prepared including the drip batten, adhesive tool, nails, hammer, and cutter.

Read also : How to Install Rubber Roofing

In installing other types of roof layer, a fiberglass sheet is often used to make sure that the layer is attached well and avoid problems like the growth of the moss.

In rubber roofing, the additional layer is not needed anyway. So, you can start it all directly by placing the rubber roll. The only thing to install before the layer is the drip batten on the deck of the roof to strengthen the installation later.

how to install rubber roofing
How to install rubber roofing

Next, smear the adhesive material on some parts of the roof horizontally. Then, attach the rubber roof gradually. After some parts have been attached well, you can continue by attaching the next parts until the entire rubber roll is attached well. There is a possibility that some bubbles come out due to the glue that is not smeared thoroughly.

To remove the bubbles, you can use the leave blower and sweep it slowly. Repeat the process several times until you can see the bubbles are gone. Undeniably, this the most difficult part of all. If you sweep it in a wrong direction, the bubble can be more. Even it is said that the key point is the rubber sheet installation from the beginning.

After sweeping the rubber roof area, in general, the installation process is done. But for the difficult process, there is a possibility that the installation is not done only in one process.

In some cases, the installers need to remove the sheet attachment and then install it again. If you are sure that the installation is perfect, strengthen the rubber roofing rolls attachment with nails.

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RoofLast is an experienced author and roofing expert. With years of practical experience in the field authored several informative articles on various aspects of roofing, including installation, maintenance, and repair