Flat Roof Leaks - Try the Newer Rubber Roofs!

Hello
I am doing a tear off of an asphalt and replacing it with a rubber roof. The rubber roofing I am using has a felt underside that will be glued to fiber board or an underlayment. I noticed that rubber roof is made without the felt backing and is used widely by installars. Is there a difference between using the felt backed rubber roofing and the non felt rubber roofing? Is the non felt rubber roofing have better adhereing properties then felt backed rubber roofing or are they the same? Do you have to do anything special with the felt backed rubber roofing when installing?
Thanks and have a nice day
Don

I run a 101 year old community centre in london, and we are in need of a new roof, as its a twin peaked roof with a valley in the middle. We have a roofer who has offered to rubberize the roof valley but we are not too sure of these new products, can provide any infomation on rubberized roofs, thanks.
Rik Upjohn

Don,
All I can tell you is to talk with the general manager of the roofing supply company AND do an extensive Internet search. Imagine you are Columbo trying to discover which is better. Ask all the right questions and see if there are any nightmare stories published on the Web.

Rik,
I do that in the two articles I have about rubber roofing. If you get a real professional who buys nothing but the best material, you are going to love your new rubber roof!

Hello
I am interested in having a rubber roof installed. What's the up keep any maintenance required after installation?

Marty,
You need to do nothing.

I am replacing a flat roof with a new product to the U.S. from Canada. It is a non-toxic no VOC,waterbased sprayed on rubber.It sprays around all existing pipes and other roof penetrations without any seams and we did not have to tear off any of the existing build-up roof. Also with the top coat of a reflective white it becomes a "cool roof". I am very impressed with this product, have you seen a product like this or have any comments about these liquid rubber roofs.

Thanks Don B.

Donald,
I have no personal experience with the spray-on rubber roofing products. Please get back to tell us how it holds up.

I have a fairly new rubber roof. I noticed one of the seams lifting up.
What can I use to "glue" it back down?

Chris

Chris,
You get the approved solvent that is made by the rubber roof manufacturer.

Hi There,
We are installing a flat roof and would like to put a deck on top of it. The deck will also have an awning over it.
My question. The posts: are they placed on top of the membrain or are they imbedded in the actual structure and the membrain placed and sealed around the posts...

Mike,
If you just let the posts rest on the rubber roof, you will find the roof structure and the awning in your neighbor's yard after the next windstorm. The posts must be securely attached.

I had a rubber roof installed in the year 2000 .I was told by my roofing company that installed it it has to be coated every 3 yrs in order to honor the 15 yr guarantee.So i called them out to investigate a leak that I was having only when we had a real hard rain with high winds that said i needed to have it recoated so they came out and recoated it with a silver coating and 2 days later its leaking in my house from the rain not hard rain mind you my question to you is this with a rubber roof do it have to be recoated every 3 yrs? please help me im frustrated

I have a 6 month old rubber roof.When the temp. goes below freezing condensation forms above the bathroom ceiling and drips out of a fan/light unit.Above the ceiling are the water lines so venting this area might be a problem.There was no insulation put down before the roof was insalled,should there have been?

Larry,
This has nothing to do with the rubber roof. Go read all of my Bathroom Fan columns in the Ventilation category.

I just bought a brand new home and have a rubber roof. It has rained twice and I hear a different drip pattern than the falling rain. I think it might be a leak because the water sounds like it is hitting the ceiling. Any thoughts on what I should do to diagnose this issue?

J.
How about making a phone call to the builder?

How do I prepare a bitumen flat roof before I torch on another layer of felt

Albert,
You read the written instructions that come with the new roofing.

do rubber roofs come in different colors

Jim,
I don't think so.

We have an Eichler with a flat roof. We have had continued leaks with our tar and gravel roof. We have decided to re-roof with foam or the Duro Last product. Do you have any recommendations?

I am applying a rubber roof on a garage. I am planning to go over the asphalt roll roofing with fiber board and then the rubber. My question is, I was talking to some people and they said I should drill holes through the asphalt and wood before I install the fiber board, is this true and if so how many per sheet?

Annie,
Yes. Use my Roofing Checklist to find the best roofer who can install the right product so you have no leaks.

Gehert,
I have never heard of that practice. Does the rubber manufacturer specify to do that?

i have a rubber roof that has two valleys should these be tight on the roof or no the roofs shape is like an upside down v

I have 150 year old house with flat roof made of tin that has been roof coated with various products over the last 60 years about every 5 years, but leaks in most places where there are chimneys, or abutting brick walls. No matter what we do with flashing, sealing and capping chimneys, there is still water getting in.
Thinking about rubber roof, but after reading your article, seems like tin is more valuable. Should I try to keep my tin? rather than replace or over coat with rubber?

Hi,
We are in the process of getting estimates for replacing approximately 419 sq ft of asphalt roofing on a flat roof that was initially roofed 8 years ago and is now leaking. We have received quotes that range from $4,200-$5,800. These seem excessive considering the size of the roof and the prices (250-400) that you have suggested in your article. I mean even at the low end of $4,200, that's over $1,000/square!! What's your opinion? Is this something a handy guy (like a husband) can tackle himself?
Kim

Mike,
It is what it is....... You would have to talk with the original architect.

Ann,
Rubber roofs are fantastic and should be considered. You simply need a professional roofer! Use my Roofing Checklist to find one!

https://secure.askthebuilder.com/products/Roofing_Replacement_Repair_Checkl ist-56-8.html

Kim,
That is really a high price. There may be all sorts of things that make it difficult. If you do not know how to do flashings with rubber roofs, you will get into trouble quickly. Get the installation handbook from the manufacturer, read it and see if you think you can do it.

I want to put a deck over a porch that has a flat rubber roof. The area is about 4'x 7' and not above living space. Do I need to use some kind of caulking at each penetration when fastening the sleepers to the decking and floor joists?

I PUCHASED A 50ft by 20ft ROLL RUBBER
ROOFING FOR MY HOUSE'S NEAR FLAT ROOF
SHOULD I GLUE THE WHOLE ROOFING TO THE
PLYWOOD OF THE WHOLE ROOF.THEN SMOOTH
OUT WITH A PUSH BROOM THE WRINKELS.THEN
PUT TERMINATION BAR ON THE EDGES. THE
RUBBER IS 60mil THICK.

Rubber membrane roof systems are apparently good when installed properly... and a nightmare when not. I'm living the nightmare. We bought a flat roof house 2 years ago. The roof was brand new when we bought. It came with a no leak guarantee. It only leaks when it rains. I call the installers and they "fix" the leaks then 2 weeks later another heavy rain and its leaking again. Beware not all installers are created equal.

If your house has a wood truss and decking the other concern is the rubber traps in moisture which leads to rot and mold... which leads to big issues.

I have a meeting with an engineer next week to know for sure but it's looking like a new roof (structure and all) is the cure. If so we are going to bite the bullet and build a pitched roof.

Hi I have a tar and gravel roof that leaks no surprise im sure. Im told to clean it off real well.Then powerwash and roll out liquid rubber over exsisting asphalt to repair this leak.Is this yhe way i should go.also does any one have the web site for the spray on as i read.and hows it work.thanks for the help.

I just had a rubber roof installed on a low pitched section of my house. The majority of the house is shingled. I like the performance of the rubber roof but not the look. Any suggestions on how I can bring the roofs closer in texture and looks?

Tim

We have a cottage with a flat roof that always leaks. In desparation my husband, before he died in 2006, put on a metal roof that is leaking worse than ever. Can we apply a rubber roof over the corrigated metal roof, or does it have to be removed? Thanks.

I have an old mobile home. It is dated 1973. The roof is leaking in the expando and we cannot seem to fix it.
Do you think a rubber roof would help this?

I have a new flat roof that was suppose to be black. Now there is an uneven chalky looking substance on the surface making my roof white and ashy looking. Cleaning the roof by brush scrubbing it with soap and water does not work. Is this natural, have others had these types of problems?

HI, I need advice on replacing a felt roof.
Should I go for a PVC plastic or rubber?
which is the best and which last longer?
Kind regards,
Catherine.

I have a 15 degree sloped dormer roof covered in rubber. It faces south and we have a severe avalanche problem with it. Falling snow and ice ripped off lower gutters and have just missed cars and people. Is there a shingle or a membrane that can be used on this slope so that we can put avalanche guard pins on the roof, similar to those put on metal roofs?

My house has an attached deck, kind of a 3-season room with lots of windows. The deck roof is nearly flat (slopes about 6 inches in 10 feet), and is connected to the garage and side of the house on the back. The house is a ranch with basement walkout so the deck is elevated the underside is not insulated. When we bought the place it had corrugated figerglass for the roof. Of course that leaked and warmed excessively when the sun shined. We recently added plywood decking and a rubber roof to the deck roof. No leaks now but my question is how can I insulate the roof? We'd like to replace the old drafty storm windows, insulate it and possibly add a combination A/C heater unit. The roof has 2x6 rafters that are boxed on both ends and on the house/garage sides are just butted up and attached to the facia. There is no place to put a vent system. Would styrofoam work? Thanks.

I have a low sloped dormer roof (20 degrees) with a rubber roof. We have a severe avalanche problem with it as it faces south. Dangerous situation. We are told that we cannot put avalanche guards up like on metal roofs because then seal is broken. Any ideas? Thought maybe put stagger pattern of wooden blocks down and then put another layer of rubber, or Membrane down over this? Or just use shingles on this low slope anyway with the avalanche guard screwed in.

Can you apply rubber roofing with the proper adhesive directly to OSB,or is there a prefered sub-surface that should be used?THX Mike

I have a flat roof. 12 x 22. Pitch 5" on 12 feet. I have a deck on this roof.
It has cedar stringers 2X4 and Cedar deck boards also 2 X 4. It is geeting old. It has been in place over 25 years. No leaks. Underneath is rolled asphalt type roofing.

What are by options. Can I put some kind of cover on the deck boards.

Is there a material I can put on the roof and walk on?

I recently bought a house that has a flat roof section in need of replacement (it has very little slope and no drains and collects water regularly). The flat roof is on a one storey addition and there is a door leading onto it from the rest of the house. I would like to be able to install a deck on this flat roof. Are any materials more or less suitable for this purpose?
I have quotes for a rubberised roof and a 'torched-on' material at $5500 and $3200 respectively. Advice?

Hi,
My Dad was an industrial roofer in Philly, he totaly believes in this rubber roof stuff- I live in New England on a small town lot and want/need to use my roof for container gardening, solar panels, and a hot tub. I need to know how best to do this with walkways on rubber ('cause if I use something else my Dad will disown me!)- am I pie in the sky? The house is 110 yrs old and balloon construction. Thanks, Christine

Hey there,

quick question. I understand rubber roof's. What about foam? Is it a good choice. Do you need to repaint every year? Do you have any dosides to foam>?

The rubber roof on my trailer leaks
on the edges. The previous owner ran
rubber to the edge (didn't overlap)
and then ran metal all around. Water
now runs under the metal and of course
I have leaks in my ceiling. Is there
a product to seal around the metal
edge? Augie

Does this work on mobile home flat roofs? I'm also looking for a motorized roof vent to use for air intake and exhaust like the ones for RVs but naturally, I need AC rather than DC.

Is there any way which is better to apply a rubberize roof?