EPDM Nightmare

AaronB.

I disagree with any EPDM sheet lasting a lifetime.

Grumpy

I kinda agree with Aaron because "lifetime" is a vague term. Lifetime of what? The building? The owner? The roofer? However I have see quite a few that are over 20 years old and only need a seam restoration, with the field sheets beingin very good condition.

I'd like to see some of the seam restorations I have done in 10 years from the restoration date and see how the roof's looking. I can make a decision on the "lifetime" comment then.

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-Grumpy
Chicago Gutters Chicago Roofing

BornaRoofer

A epdm sheet will outlast all of us. The details are a different story.

builderr

I think of it this way....
you might trust a 20 year old rubber roof that hasn't needed maintenance
but...would you trust a 20 year bungee cord if you were jumping off a bridge?

tumpline

We have come across epdm sheets that have failed 10-15 years into their life span. In all instances they were installed in inverted roofing systems.
It appeared as if the sheets were drying out and cracking.

On mechanically fastened systems I have found sheets that are 15-20 years are under much stress as a result of membrane shrinkage, any defects within the sheet itself, small nicks etc will often fail as a result of the stress.

Ed the Roofer

I fear that the same thing is going to happen to the Garden Roofs, with soil and vegetative growth to be a Green Roof will happen, just like the IRMA Roofs from around 30 years ago.

Ed

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SinglePlyGuy

My opinion is that anyone who uses an EPDM sheet for a Garden or any "covered" roof assembly is just asking for trouble.

I agree that the majority of problems with the EPDM is the seaming or details...tape....glue...back to tape... "elastoform" ... blah blah blah

I also agree that the EPDM sheet itself will last quite long- wouldn't go as far as saying a lifetime tho.

The key with EPDM is the lifecycle cost..... generally it is less expensive up front, but it is far from maintenance free and maintenance costs.

RooferJim

The Boston area has many EPDM roofs that were installed in the 1970s and still good. yes they need the seams and flashings updated but thats about it.
It is the best flat roof install for the money.
RooferJim
www.jbennetteroofing.com

red_cedar

In regard to the garden roofs is it possible the membrane will get less stress due to being covered?

Grumpy

Garden roofs have been around for thousands of years Ed, true they wern't installed over single ply for thouse thousand years, but they've been tremendously popular in Europe for the last few decades. It's only a re-emerging new fad in this country.

Supposedly the garden is supposed to protect the roof and protect it from UV. I'm finding TPO to be widely popular for use beneath a garden which I find curious since of all the single ply membranes it has the least proven track record. When someone tells me they want to put a garden or deck on their roof my specification changes. I'm always going for the 20 year system with no fasteners in that case.

__________________
-Grumpy
Chicago Gutters Chicago Roofing