Video and downloadable pdf guides for Rubber roofing Installation – plus a Quick Text Guide to installing an EPDM Roof
Quick Guide to installing an EPDM roof
Health and Safety
Extreme care must be exercised when working on ladders & roofs. Surfaces can be slippery when wet, damp, or frost covered. Do not expose product to temperatures in excess of 180 degrees.
Adhesives, primers and sealants, as well as a presenting a fumes danger contain distillates which are extremely flammable. Maintain proper ventilation protocols at all times These products should be stored away from heat, flame or sparks. Do not smoke in the vicinity of these materials.
Containers should be closed/sealed when not in use. Please take care not to place open containers near ventilators. Avoid contact with eyes – wear glasses or googles at all times.
If contact is made with eyes immediately flush with water for at least 15 minutes and contact medical assistance from a doctor immediately.
Also avoid contact with the skin by wearing resistant gloves – if contact is made wash the area with soap
Membrane Installation
Surface bonding
Our ClassicBond fully adhered system, when using the correct adhesive will bond to –
- Wood
- Metal
- Plastic
- Glass
- Fibreglass
- Rubber
- Masonry
- Brick
- Lightweight Concrete
Please make sure that your roof surface is clean and dry – note the surface must be dry as our product will not adhere to wet or damp surfaces.
Also do not stretch the membrane during installation and ensure you have sufficient fall on your roof (min 1:80) to prevent any ponding scenarios.
Laying out the membrane
Unroll the membrane over the deck. RKD supply 1 piece membrane wherever applicable.
If you are using more than 1 membrane piece start at the lower end of the roof. Overlap should be at least 75mm using a 3inch seam tape to join sheets
Ensure the membrane overhangs the roof perimeters by at least 75mm – RKD automatically calculate/include overhang allowance when purchasing one of our m2 kits. Don’t cut the membrane until it has been bonded and any edge trims fitted.
When you have laid out the membrane allow it to settle. This could take 15 -30mins so a good time for a cup of tea. Creases occuring in transport will drop out here and when bonded.
Adhering the membrane with WBA (Water Based Adhesive)
Ensure the membrane is laid into the adhesive when wet.
Remember you are going to leave a 150mm area around the edge of the roof which you will bond with contact adhesive later.
Roll back the membrane half way then apply the adhesive in stages speading the membrane onto the adhesived area carefully with a broom – be firm yet smooth – not so firm as to stretch the membrane.
When the first half is complete repeat with the second.
Upstands, parapet walls and additional securement where angle change occurs
Russ strips are used in combination with primer to ensure full adherence at angle changes for example a parapet wall.
The pressure sensitive Russ tape is fixed to the deck adjoining the angle using 2″ washers at 300mm centres. Apply primer to the underside of the membrane, and when dry slide back the membrane and ensure full adherence with a seam roller.
Adhering roof perimeter and upstands
For your roof perimeter edges and any vertical surfaces use the following protocol.
Apply a thin coat of contact bonding adhesive to both the underside of membrane and the deck/surface. Wait until touch dry (doesn’t stick to you finger when touched) and fix down the membrane. You can use a seam roller to ensure good adherence to areas where the angle changes – again don’t go mad, light yet firm, don’t stretch the membrane
Your roof is now fixed so it’s time to finish off with trims.