As we head into the winter months, external building and maintenance work enquiries often slow down due to the cold, wet weather. However, when a roof needs repairing, it’s usually a job that can’t be left unaddressed due to the potentially catastrophic effects it can have on a structure. Adrian Buttress, managing director of PermaRoof, part of PermaGroup, discusses why EPDM rubber is the ideal material to equip roofs for the winter.
What makes EPDM winter-proof?
EPDM is developed using a synthetic rubber ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer, which is formed into a 100% cured, single-ply roofing membrane. This material is long-lasting and durable, making it ideally suited to winter weather, and the low maintenance nature of the solution ensures customers gain reliable peace of mind from their investment.
Suitable for any type of flat roof, EPDM offers a comprehensive waterproofing solution for both domestic and commercial buildings, and is particularly convenient for use on garages and sheds to guarantee valuables are protected from water damage.
A year-round roofing option, EPDM rubber roofs also resist UV and ozone, due to the material containing a high proportion of carbon black and no plasticisers or antioxidants, giving it a life expectancy of more than 50 years.
Simplified installation
Completing roofing projects and repairs in the winter can be a job that people dread, due to the added challenges presented by the inclement weather. Therefore, a quick and easy installation is essential to beat the elements, complete the job and prevent further damage.
EPDM is supplied in large, seamless sheets, up to 15.24m in width and 61m long, negating the requirement to cut and piece many sheets together. Not only does this make using it time efficient, as one sheet can cover an entire roof, but also improves longevity as it reduces the number of seams required.
An EPDM rubber roofing installation requires no specialist tools and no heat or flame, which means less time on site and an easier application when out in the elements. However, we strongly recommend that installers attend our Firestone EPDM training centre to guarantee the best possible finish on a project.
Efficient repairs
Full training on EPDM instillation reduces the potential of issues developing further down the line with the roofing system as, when a tradesperson hasn’t completed the training, there is a higher chance the membrane has been laid incorrectly. However, no matter how durable the material is, there will always be a possibility of repairs being needed.
Unavoidable splits and cracks can, fortunately, be easily repaired by the reliable repair method used on EPDM roofs, liquid PU – or “liquid rubber” as it’s commonly referred to. The liquid rubber creates a watertight and weatherproof seal to protect roofs all year round, particularly from the elements in winter. Applying the liquid PU is simple and it quickly cures on a variety of surfaces – ideal characteristics for when you are working within a short and unpredictable gap in cold, wet, or dark conditions.
Only one coat of PU liquid is required to effectively seal a repair and it comes in a pre-mixed solution that can be applied straight from the tin using a brush – no complex process required. For this reason, we advise every roofer to keep a tin of liquid rubber to hand for those emergency calls and quick, reliable fixes, when faced with the harsh climate of a British winter.
Winter ready roofing
As a tradesperson, winter can bring a feeling of dread as the weather leads to more issues with roofs and an increased challenge with repairs, however, EPDM rubber’s natural attributes ensure it’s the quickest, most effective, all-weather solution.
With smaller projects, such as adding outdoor buildings, on the rise due to the impact of people spending more time at home, as well as larger extensions being considered due to house moves becoming less likely, flat roofing is certainly a market that offers plenty of opportunities for installers – especially during the winter months.
For more information on Permaroof UK, please visit www.permaroof.co.uk or call 01773 608839.