Monthly Archives: June 2013

EPDM Rubber

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Ethylene Propylene Diene rubber commonly known as EPDM has a wide variety of applications. At operating temperatures of -450C to +1200C, EPDM has excellent application properties unlike other coatings on the market. It has a wide array of uses and offers high quality performance for processing and finished products. EPDM is superior in performance, ageing characteristics and overall durability compared to the general purpose or natural synthetic rubber products.

EPDM rubber has been very successful in many outdoor applications due to its extreme resistance capabilities to U.V rays, oxidations and the ozone as well as extreme temperatures. In addition, the electrical conductivity of EPDM rubber is very low and it is resistant to various polar chemicals. EPDM rubber is a result of scientific and engineering advancements combined with the latest extrusion equipment that make the EPDM membranes capable of;

  • Providing uniformity and consistency of a superior kind
  • Delivering among the top tensile strengths currently available in the industry
  • Air entrapment that is minimal in order to attain a uniform finishing
  • Weather ability and ozone resistance that is exceptional
  • A surface that is smooth and aesthetically superior

EPDM is not only practical and suited for a multitude of application but it’s also cost effective. Take for example roofing application. Other products while appear to be cheaper by the unit price these products require a primer and multiple coast which most times go way over the cost of the one coas system of Liquid EPDM rubber. There are roofs in service for over 26 years now with that same one coat application. Individuals and companies have saved thousands not just on the product cost but the likelihood of future repairs using lesser quality products.

Using the same non-EPDM based products for repairs is counterproductive and costly. Many of these products are not epdm, and are not ozone or UV resistant. Epdm is manufactured in such a way to provide maximum flexibility for expansion and contraction of roofs as surface temperatures of your roof changes. The lack of flexibility eventually leads to the cracking. The key benefit to EPDM rubber is that it can expand or contract with any kind of surface as temps or the change of season. EPDM rubber will also not crack due to fluctuations in temperature. Other non-EPDM based products tend to start bubbling or crack within less than 2 years, which raises costs for the business or individual, as they have to keep on installing new rubber.

The bottom line is that with EPDM rubber, the widths are wider and seams are fewer. These kinds of systems help to improve the contractors’ efficiency during the installation process. EPDM rubber provides for a clean, quick and inexpensive alternative for installation in a wide range of temperature conditions. The roofing systems provide excellent weather and UV resistance together with high elongation of the sheets. EPDM rubber maybe mechanically fastened, fully adhered or ballasted.

How to Maintain the EPDM Roof on your RV

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If you maintain it well, an RV EPDM roof might last for more than 20 years… just about the working life of your vehicle. Even better, EPDM roofing materials require minimal care and maintenance to keep them in top condition. You only need a little bit of maintenance to keep them in great condition.

Regularly cleaning your EPDM Coatings Liquid Roof is the first step. You should clean it four times a year, using a cleaner specially designed for EPDM roofs that contains no petroleum distillates.

Why no petroleum-based cleaners? Whether the product is meant for protecting or for cleaning, any petroleum distillates in your cleaner will cause swelling and loosening of the rubber. Unfortunately, there are many products out there that will cause problems with your roof. The best idea is to find one that says on its label that it’s petroleum distillate-free and EPDM safe.

Once you start cleaning, you’ll find it’s pretty easy. Just stay safe as you do it, and keep on your hands and knees while you’re up on the roof in order to make sure you don’t fall.

Start by rinsing off your EPDM roof using plain water under pressure. If you can, remove any branches or other sharp objects by hand. EPDM is resistant to tears, but a sharp object may create scratches if it’s dragged along the roof surface. These scratches can turn into tears over time.

Having rinsed away all the debris, you can get up on the roof with a medium bristle brush and a bucket of EPDM-safe cleaner diluted with water. You only have to scrub the areas where you see dirt or stains. Bring your hose up too, so that you can rinse off the roof while you clean.

A tip: by starting in the corner furthest away from where you’re going to exit the roof, you’ll spend less time on the wet surface. You’ll also be able to scrub away any footprints you might leave, helping ensure your EPDM roof is absolutely spotless when you’re done.

Once you’re done cleaning, an EPDM protectant (not just any protectant, it must be designed for EPDM roofs) can help extend your roof’s useful life, minimizing the chances you’ll have to repair or restore it. Even if it is helpful, a protectant is not necessary.

Finally, properly caring for your RV’s EPDM roof means parking your RV in a place where the roof is as protected as it can be. Like with everything, the more your RV is exposed to the elements, the more problems that can occur.

Avoid parking around fruit trees, because they drip citric acid that can slowly deteriorate the EPDM material. The citric acid from fruit and fruit trees drips onto the roof and remains there until your next cleaning session. Over time, it penetrates into the rubber and reduces EPDM’s ability to resist the elements. If you do have to park where overhanging fruit is unavoidable, just wash your RV roof as soon as possible afterwards. A short term exposure is not likely to do much damage to your roof.

Elastomeric Roof Coatings are Designed for Many Benefits

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The use of EPDM is something that has become common in the last twenty-five years as more people have begun to discover the benefits of elastomeric roof coatings. It’s especially important considering the ways how it has been designed over the years for all kinds of functions.
EPDM was designed in the 1960s as a material that includes ethylene, propylene and diene monomers, hence the name it got. It was designed as a material that can be cured through heat to make sure its structure is consistent and that it will not wear or bend as easily as other roofing surfaces might.

The EPDM surface was originally used as a coating for mobile homes but it has evolved to become a coating for flat roofing surfaces on commercial buildings as well as outdoor decks. It has even become a staple on many traditional roofing surfaces in that it features a series of thick and strong polymers all designed to keep a roof protected.

In fact, elastomeric roof coatings come quite a way from the older materials people used to have on their homes. The days of sticking with traditional shingles or clay are still around but the option to go with EPDM has become something that is making people think a little differently about what they want to go along with.

The big point about this liquid coating is its ability to reflect heat. It is capable of keeping the inside of a building cool and has even received an Energy Star qualification for its ability to protect the inside of a home. The certification comes from how the user will be capable of preventing the property from dealing with too much heat at a given time, thus keeping the cost of air conditioning down during the hot summer months.

In fact, this reflective nature of the coating will be consistent no matter how long the coating is exposed to the sun. It will continue to operate without suffering from elongation or other problems that often get in the way of some roofing surfaces. This makes it easier for the surface to stay strong and intact for a while. The sun’s rays actually make it stronger after a while so it will continue to feel active.

It’s best to go with a white elastomeric roof coating when it comes to reflective properties. The fact is that a roof with a white coating is more likely to reflect the sun’s rays than others. Still, every color will work out just fine when it comes to keeping a space cool.

The surface is also non-flammable and will not be hurt or ignited due to any intense heat that comes around. It will not be likely to peel off after a while either. This means that the surface will be safe and the VOC content will be extremely low.

This low VOC content also makes it so the material will not be likely to create a substantial amount of fumes over time. This is a benefit that is needed because fumes can easily move into the environment and cause breathing difficulties. It might also be tough on the person who is busy installing the surface over a certain area.

The use of such a coating is a huge part of what makes it so different from the other choices on the market. An elastomeric roof coating can particularly be used to protect just about any kind of roofing surface one might have. It can be used on wood, copper, PVC and metal surfaces.

It can also be used in places where the natural environment is relatively comfortable. This should be applied at conditions of 42 degrees Fahrenheit or greater while the surface that is being treated is at a condition of 120 degrees or less. These are the only real limits for use but the substance will continue to function even after something is added to its surface.

An elastomeric roof coating will be a useful option to have for any kind of surface that one wants to install a roof onto. This coating is made with a substance that includes the right elastic polymers and can be used to keep light off of a property. It will make it easier for anyone to have a cooler and more comfortable home.

Why Choose EPDM Roof

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EPDM has been the market leader for both low-slope and flat roof applications for more than 50 years. It is manufactured from oils, carbon black, zinc oxide, curing agents and polymers to enhance the membrane strength, durability and elasticity. The main polymers are ethylene, propylene and a small amount of diene. The common EPDM roofing materials provide a black finish, though some include dyes or pigments to provide a smooth white finish. The white finish helps the roofs to reflect back the sun rays and keeps the interior of the building cooler.

Continued QC (Quality Control) testing results prove that EPDM has the capacity to withstand the various climatic effects well beyond 30-years. Freeze/Thaw-Cycling (large and rapid fluctuations in temperature) is one of the most damaging environmental conditions roofing materials will face. EPDM is one of the very few materials proven to hold-up under such damaging conditions. In Northern America, EPDM accounts for over 52% roofing installations.

EPDM Roof Installation

EPDM roof installers may use one of the three installation methods – Ballasted, Mechanically fastened and Fully adhered. Because of its excellent flexibility, EPDM can be installed in any surface regardless of its shape, size and design. It can also be patched quite easily when damaged by tears or punctures. Also, it does not rely on plasticizers for its flexibility, so there is no danger of becoming brittle because of plasticizer loss in the long run. During installation, rubber is bonded at the seams to create continuous barrier. This allows EPDM-roofing to keep water from seeping into the roof structure and walls. Moreover, EPDM allows for ‘year-round’ installation because of its stability over a wide range of temperatures.

Benefits of EPDM

Even with the arrival of more technologically advanced roofing materials such as TPO and PVC membrane, EPDM has managed to maintain its advantages over other materials. Here is a list of the few key benefits of installing EPDM roof material.

• Easy to install
• Greater resistance to wind, water, and cyclic membrane fatigue
• High resistance to abrasion, weathering and ozone.
• Flexibility in even very low temperatures
• Resistance to extreme heat
• Thermal shock durability
• Restoration friendly
• Long life expectancies
• Ultraviolet radiation resistance
• Easier to install penetrations when needed
• Low maintenance required

There’s no question that EPDM holds its own advantage in service life, environmental sustainability and overall performance. EPDM has gained the popularity in the roofing industry since early1970s and will continue to be an affordable, dependable as well as efficient roofing solution for several years to come.