Liquid EPDM Rubber Coatings are aftermarket roof sealants

A number of aftermarket roof sealants are available, including urethanes, acrylics and liquid rubber. Liquid EPDM rubber is by far the most durable of the sealants available and has the widest range of applications.

It is more water resistant than other rubbers, including neoprene. It is more resistant to swelling and has a wider range of acceptable temperatures. It can be applied directly to practically any roofing material other than asphalt and can even be used on wood that has been primed.

Liquids have an obvious advantage over sheets. Sheets have seams. Seam sealers eventually deteriorate and water gets through the seams and under the sheeting.

Liquid EPDM can be used on top of neoprene, although some pre-treatment of the surface is required. Just knowing that the liquid rubber is recommended for use on top of the other type of rubber should be an indication that the material is more durable.

Liquid EPDM can also be used on top of polyurethane after a light sanding. It is somewhat surprising that urethanes are still used as aftermarket roof sealants. It is known that the structure is damaged by UV light and that discoloration occurs relatively quickly. Anyone who has made the mistake of using urethane as a roof sealant should consider applying liquid EPDM to truly protect the roof.

The liquids can also be used to seal existing leaks. They are self-adhering and fill up tiny fractures that let water through. It is a good idea to use a thick coat and cover the entire surface instead of attempting to only cover the leaky area.

When covering the entire roof, the liquid rubber reduces heat buildup. Not only does the roof stay cooler, but the interior of the building or the vehicle will also stay cooler. This benefit may reduce heating costs and keep the occupants more comfortable.

Liquid EPDM has become the most popular choice for RV roofs, because of all the above-mentioned advantages. It extends the lifespan of the roof and requires less maintenance. It lasts up to three times longer than any other aftermarket RV roof sealant and also reduces noise from rain.

As far as price goes, most sealants are similar in price. Depending on where you buy, EPDM may be a little more expensive, but because primers and additional coats are not usually necessary, and because it lasts so much longer, owners who choose this aftermarket roof sealant save money in the long run.

THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN USING LIQUID RUBBER

1)       Catalyst must be added prior to use.  Scrape sides of container with a Liquid rubber spatula to ensure catalyst distribution.

2)       Xylene or Mineral Spirits Solvents may be added to adjust viscosity or for clean-up. 

3)       Easiest way to spread the rubber on a flat surface is to broadcast material with a rubber squeegee then roll using a short nap roller.  Product is self leveling.  A flat spatula can be used for small areas. 

4)       Product has a long pot life after catalyst has been added; 4-6 hrs. depending on temperature. 

5)       Only temperature affects the rate of cure.  Relative humidity has no influence. 

6)       Product is hydrophobic (sheds water) so substrate to be coated must be dry initially.  The uncured rubber can get wet or even have ponding water, with only a cosmetic effect after application, and will still cure.

7)       The rubber will penetrate into porous substrates such as wood and poured concrete.  A primer/sealer should precede application of rubber. 

8)       The chemical reaction of the catalyzed rubber can be arrested by freezing the material.  This can keep material usable for weeks or months.  To use again simply allow it to reach room temperature and apply.

Aftermarket Roof Sealants

A number of aftermarket roof sealants are available, including urethanes, acrylics and liquid rubber. Liquid EPDM rubber is by far the most durable of the sealants available and has the widest range of applications. It is more water resistant than other rubbers, including neoprene. It is more resistant to swelling and has a wider range of acceptable temperatures. It can be applied directly to practically any roofing material other than asphalt and can even be used on wood that has been primed. Liquids have an obvious advantage over sheets. Sheets have seams. Seam sealers eventually deteriorate and water gets through the seams and under the sheeting. Liquid EPDM can be used on top of neoprene, although some pre-treatment of the surface is required. Just knowing that the liquid rubber is recommended for use on top of the other type of rubber should be an indication that the material is more durable.

Liquid EPDM can also be used on top of polyurethane after a light sanding. It is somewhat surprising that urethanes are still used as aftermarket roof sealants. It is known that the structure is damaged by UV light and that discoloration occurs relatively quickly. Anyone who has made the mistake of using urethane as a roof sealant should consider applying liquid EPDM to truly protect the roof. The liquids can also be used to seal existing leaks. They are self-adhering and fill up tiny fractures that let water through. It is a good idea to use a thick coat and cover the entire surface instead of attempting to only cover the leaky area. When covering the entire roof, the liquid rubber reduces heat buildup. Not only does the roof stay cooler, but the interior of the building or the vehicle will also stay cooler. This benefit may reduce heating costs and keep the occupants more comfortable.

Liquid EPDM has become the most popular choice for RV roofs, because of all the above-mentioned advantages. It extends the lifespan of the roof and requires less maintenance. It lasts up to three times longer than any other aftermarket RV roof sealant and also reduces noise from rain. As far as price goes, most sealants are similar in price. Depending on where you buy, EPDM may be a little more expensive, but because primers and additional coats are not usually necessary, and because it lasts so much longer, owners who choose this aftermarket roof sealant save money in the long run.

EPDM roof and maintenance of RV roof

How to Maintain Your RV EPDM Roof

With proper care and maintenance, your RV EPDM roof can last for 20 years or more. That’s pretty much equivalent to the life of the vehicle itself. One of the benefits of EPDM roofing materials is that the care and maintenance required is minimal. Regular cleaning is the first step.

 Most manufacturers recommend cleaning the roof at least four times per year. The cleaner used should be one that is specifically designed for EPDM roofing and is free of petroleum distillates.

 Products containing petroleum distillates, whether they are designed for cleaning or protecting, will cause the rubber to swell and loosen. There are many chemicals that fall under the category. The easiest way to tell for sure that the cleaner you are using does not contain any of the chemicals is to look for one that states on the label “free of petroleum distillates, safe for use on EPDM materials.”

Cleaning is a relatively simple matter, but you should keep your safety in mind. If you are going to be getting up on the roof, you should be on your hands and knees to reduce your risk of falling.

 The first step is to rinse the roof thoroughly with plain water at a relatively high pressure. Any branches or sharp objects should be removed by hand, if possible. While EPDM is tear resistant, sharp objects can cause scratches when they are pushed along the surface. Eventually the scratches can become tears. Once all debris has been rinsed away, you will need to take a medium bristle brush, a bucket of safe cleanser diluted with water and get up on the roof. You need only scrub in areas where you see stains or dirt. Keep your hose with you so that you can rinse while you are cleaning. Start in the corner farthest away from your exit point and work backwards to minimize the amount of time you spend on the wet surface.

After the roof is cleaned, you can use an EPDM protectant if you like. The protectant should be specifically designed for EPDM roofing, not for other types of materials. Some EPDM manufacturers also sell special protectants. While using the protectant is not essential, it may extend the life of the roof and reduce your need to restore or repair the roofing material. Finally, proper care of your EPDM roof includes parking it in an area where the roof is protected as much as possible. Don’t park around fruit trees. The citric acid can deteriorate the material in between cleanings.

General tips to maintain metal roof

Learning how to maintain a metal roof is important to ensure that the roofing will last as long as possible. With proper care, this type of roofing material outlasts many others. It is not unusual to see the roofs last for 50 years or even longer. New roofs often come with manufacturer’s care instructions for the material. If you don’t have the care instructions, you may be able to evaluate the material on your own to determine the composition.

It is important to use compatible materials when doing any repairs. Otherwise, corrosion can occur. If you have difficulty making this evaluation, a good roofing contractor can help. For most roofs, maintenance and repair is relatively simple. You will need a sturdy ladder. Ideally you should have someone on the ground to hold the ladder as you are climbing up and down.

You should only attempt this if you are comfortable with the height and you feel that the maintenance or repair work can be done safely. Otherwise, you should contact a roofing contractor. Once you are at a point where you can evaluate the area, you should start by looking for loose nails, rusty patches, holes or other signs of damage. If you are aware of an existing leak, you will need to take steps to repair the leak.

In general, how to maintain a metal roof involves removing debris, such as leaves and branches. Any loose nails should be pulled and replaced. Hammering the nail back down may not be a good idea. Nails are not always used for installation. Some roofs are installed using screws. Screws tend to stay in place as the years go by while nails work their way loose over time.

Urethane roofing cement is usually used for caulking around seams, edges and flashing. Learning how to maintain a metal roof involves learning how to use the urethane cement because it provides better protection from UV damage than plastic or asphalt type cements. Occasionally, re-caulking will be necessary as a part of regular maintenance. Look for cracked or damaged caulk seams and peel the old caulking away as necessary. Cracks in caulking caused by hail or flying debris are sometimes the causes of roof leaks.

Existing leaks may be due to a small hole which can be patched relatively easily using compatible materials. If you learn how to maintain a metal roof properly and you take the necessary steps on a regular basis, you may never have to worry about learning how to patch holes.

Liquid Rubber the Amazing Coating for your Leaks Reapir

Features and Benefits of Liquid Rubber

• Easy-to-apply single-coat system
• Instant set - reduces project time
• Spray-, brush- or roller-applied
• Water-based – no harmful vapor
• Extremely flexible – allows for substrate movement
• Odorless
• Seamless – no laps or joints
• High puncture resistance
• Strongly bonded to substrate
• Allows freedom of architectural design 

Uses of Liquid Rubber

Liquid Rubber provides an easy-to-apply, seamless, waterproof membrane that meets the ever-increasing requirements of environmental and health and safety considerations."
Liquid Rubber was developed to address the recurring problems encountered by roof leaks. Our products are state of the art with respect to today's environmental concerns and safe working practices.
Liquid Rubber may be applied on RV roofs, roof decks, metal roofs, gutters, structural steel, air-conditioner enclosures, cooling towers, galvanized steel, unit-heater flues, smoke stacks and chimneys, fiberglass, and non-porous masonry surfaces. Liquid Rubber is excellent for wood, canvas, cement, or metal roof repair over large surface areas.

Click Here To Read Our Customer Testimonial Page 

Difference Between Liquid EPDM and Other Materials.

• Identical to sheet EPDM but a liquid
• Easy application
• Goes on virtually all surfaces
• Can be applied six times thicker than the standard elastomeric
• Single-coat application
• Forms a seamless membrane
• Takes temperatures of between minus 40 and 300F

Tips for Avoiding Roof Failure

Avoiding roof failure typically involves the removal of snow and ice, although the system can fail for other reasons. For example, skipping regular inspections and maintenance can put you at risk. Here are some things that you should be doing to ensure you reduce your risk.

Snow Removal

Most well-built roofs will not fail due to the accumulation of ice and snow from a single season. However, over several seasons, structural damage can be caused by the excessive weight. Because of that, snow and ice removal is recommended.

You should never attempt to stand on sloped roofs to remove ice or snow. Special tools called roof-rakes are widely available. These may be as long as 21 feet. They allow homeowners and maintenance crews to stand on the ground and rake the snow or ice off of the roof.

Care should be taken to avoid dislodging shingles. Take note of the placement of exhaust fans or pipes when they are not covered with snow in order to avoid damaging them.

For flat roofs accessible from inside the building, snow removal is similar to removing it from the driveway. Care must be taken to avoid overexertion.

A spot should be chosen for dumping the snow and everyone that enters the building should be aware of avoiding the area. Make sure to avoid standing too close to the roof’s edge and always watch your balance.

Ice Removal

Ice removal may be important for avoiding roof failure. Long icicles can form along the edges of pitched roofs. Ice may become packed on flat roofs. It is not usually necessary to remove icicles if the melt water will not cause damage to the rest of the building.

If you have ice packed on a flat-roofed building, it is best to wait until it melts enough to make it possible to use a wet-dry vac. Using torches or heaters to melt the ice can be dangerous. If ice accumulations are excessive on a flat-roofed building, consult a professional about how to safely remove it.

Waterproofing

For flat roofs, waterproofing is essential for avoiding roof failure. Luckily, there are numerous solutions for waterproofing flat roofs. The EPDM or “rubber” coatings are particularly popular and can be used to cover existing roofs without replacing the entire system.

Not only does a liquid rubber coating provide benefits that include waterproofing, protection against damage from flying debris and increased lifespan of the vehicle reduced risk of leaking.  There may also be some soundproofing advantages when you choose the best coatings for your liquid roof maintenance.

The Best Coatings for Your RV Roof Maintenance

The best coatings for your RV roof maintenance are the ones that last the longest. Most experts agree that the longest lasting sealants are the ones made of EPDM rubber.

EPDM is a material often used in new construction of the vehicles. The manufacturers apply the rubberized membranes to the metal roofs to protect them from the elements, to help prevent rusting and to provide some protection against debris.

It is often debris though that causes the damage. Rapid temperature changes, hail and even sudden afternoon showers can cause damage too.

The least expensive coating alternative and the one used most commonly is an acrylic water-based product. While that might seem like an inexpensive alternative, it can be costly in the long run. The temperature extremes and other threats mentioned above can partially or totally destroy an acrylic coating, leaving the metal exposed.

You might not know that the metal is exposed until you see a leak or do annual maintenance. By then, there could be rust and damage to internal insulation and other materials. You should be able to see how costly the whole thing can become.

If you choose the best coatings for your RV roof maintenance, you could save money in the long run. If you’re smart, you’ll choose to apply the coating when the vehicle is new as a protective measure. You’ll just have to check to make sure that you are buying a brand that is compatible with the materials used in the construction of your vehicle.

Not only does a liquid rubber coating provide benefits that include waterproofing, protection against damage from flying debris and increased lifespan of the vehicle reduced risk of leaking. The coating improves the cosmetic appearance and often helps to keep the interior of the vehicle cooler during hot summer months. There may also be some soundproofing advantages when you choose the best coatings for your liquid roof maintenance.

When it comes to maintaining your vehicle’s roof, the first step is to make an inspection at least once a year. That could mean getting out your ladder. Be careful. Remember that most accidents occur at home.

An annual power washing is usually recommended. If you have been to the beach, take the time to wash the salt and sand off of your vehicle on your way home. Salt and sand are corrosive. The best coatings for your RV roof maintenance help to protect against this kind of corrosion, but cleanliness is still important.

Application of liquid roof coatings

Application of Liquid Roof Coatings Steps

Application of liquid roof coatings is relatively simple. Most people can do it themselves. Here are the steps typically recommended for the job.

Make a Plan

As with any job, planning is important. Depending on the temperature variations in your area, you may need to plan to do the job well in advance. Ideally, you want to work when the temperature is expected to be between 65 and 75 for your own comfort. Working on roofs can be a very hot or a very cold job.

The temperature must be between 55 and 140 degrees in order for most products to cure. Colder temperatures are not generally recommending as the curing process is much slower and the ability to spread the material becomes more difficult.

You want to work on a day when rain is not expected. The product can waterproof immediately, but applying the material in pounding rain is not recommended. Pitting can occur. It takes 16-20 hours before the surface becomes dry to the touch. The full curing process takes another 4-10 days if the temperature is around 70 degrees.

Clean and Prepare the Surface

Ideally the surface should be smooth and clean. Any structural faults should be repaired beforehand. Structural faults include damaged or cracked roofing beams.

Asphalt-based and silicone-based caulking should be removed before the application of liquid roof coatings. Asphalt roofing materials and silicone-based rubbers are generally not compatible with EPDM rubber, although the use of a pre-coat can allow you to use the coating. Manufacturers vary in their recommendations concerning the pre-coat.

Holes and low spots should be filled with non-silicone based caulking to even out the surface. Although the coatings are resistant to pooling water, the application of liquid roof coatings is easier and the spread rate is higher if the surface is smooth. In other words, you will need less of the material if you do the necessary work to create a clean and smooth surface.

Purchase Your Tools

The easiest way to spread the coating is to use a squeegee. If you are concerned about the material running down the side of a sloped roof, such as might be on an RV, you should take steps to prevent that from happening. Some products are specifically designed for slanted roofs. They are thicker and dry faster than those used on flat surfaces, but they also cost more.

From here, the application of liquid roof coatings is much like painting. A roller and a brush for hard to reach areas are the only tools you need.