Rubber Flat Roofs and Repairs
EPDM Rubber Roofing in Liverpool
EPDM rubber roofing is a flat roof covering made from a synthetic rubber membrane, usually laid as a single sheet and bonded to a prepared timber deck. Roofer & Builder fits and repairs rubber roofs on garages, extensions, outbuildings and commercial buildings throughout Liverpool, Merseyside, Wirral and the North West.
Because a domestic EPDM roof can often be covered with one piece of membrane, there are few or no joints for water to find. It is fitted without a naked flame and stays flexible as the building moves. Rubber is one of the systems offered through our flat roofing services, alongside fibreglass and felt.
How an EPDM Rubber Roof Is Installed
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) comes in large rolls, so on most garage and extension roofs the membrane can be cut from a single sheet sized to the whole roof. The deck beneath must be sound, smooth and dry, so we strip the old covering, replace soft or damaged boards and make sure there is enough fall to shed water towards the gutter or outlet.
The membrane is laid out and left to relax, then folded back so adhesive can be applied. Systems typically use a water-based adhesive across the main area and a contact adhesive around the perimeter and on upstands. Each half is bonded and rolled to push out trapped air.
At walls, the membrane is turned up to form an upstand and finished under a flashing or termination detail so water cannot get behind it. Edge trims form the drip into the gutter and the raised kerbs along open sides, while corners, pipes and outlets are sealed with pre-formed pieces and tapes from the same system.
EPDM Compared With GRP and Felt
Rubber suits many flat roofs, but not every one. These are the main points we talk through with customers.
Where EPDM has the advantage
- Few joints: smaller roofs can usually be covered in one sheet, whereas felt is laid in overlapping layers.
- Flexibility: rubber tolerates some movement and temperature change, while rigid GRP can crack if the deck moves.
- No hot works: it is bonded with adhesive, so there is no naked flame, unlike torch-on felt.
- Simpler weather window: it still needs a dry deck and suitable temperatures for the adhesive, but there is no resin to cure as there is with GRP.
Where GRP or felt may suit better
- Foot traffic: rubber can be punctured by sharp objects, so roofs that are walked on regularly may need protective walkway pads or a harder-wearing system.
- Complex details: roofs with many pipes, rooflights and corners take careful detailing in EPDM, whereas GRP is laminated around details in one layer.
- Appearance: EPDM has a plain black finish, while GRP topcoats and mineral-surfaced felt offer different looks.
- Compatibility: bitumen-based products should generally not be used on EPDM, so later repairs need rubber-compatible materials.
Read more on our GRP fibreglass roofing and felt roofing pages.
EPDM Rubber Roofing
Our EPDM Roofing Services
New EPDM Roofs
Single-sheet rubber roofs for garages, extensions, outbuildings and dormers, laid on a properly prepared deck. We plan the falls, edge trims and outlets before fitting, so the finished roof drains well and every edge is neatly detailed.
Garage Roof Replacement
Garage roofs are one of the most common uses for EPDM. We strip the failing covering, renew the deck where needed and fit a new rubber membrane, dealing with any rotten timbers or fascias at the same time.
Patch Repairs
Splits, punctures and small tears in an otherwise sound membrane can often be patched. The area is cleaned and primed, then a compatible EPDM patch is applied with seam tape, overlapping the damage on every side.
Upstands and Flashings
Many rubber roof leaks start where the membrane meets a wall. We check that each upstand is high enough, fully bonded and covered by a sound flashing, and rebuild the detail where it has pulled away or was poorly finished.
Outlets and Drainage
Blocked or badly formed outlets lead to standing water and leaks. We fit and reseal outlets using system-compatible parts, and look at the falls and gutters wherever water is collecting on the roof instead of draining away.
Commercial Rubber Roofing
EPDM is also used on larger commercial roofs, where sheets are joined with seam tape. We advise landlords, businesses and property managers on rubber roofing for commercial premises and rental properties, alongside our other flat roof systems.
How It Works
How We Approach an EPDM Roof
Inspect the Roof and Deck
We check the covering, the condition of the boards, the falls and every upstand and outlet, so we know whether a repair or a new roof is needed.
Explain the Options
We talk you through what we found and give a clear written quotation covering the deck, membrane, trims and any flashing work.
Prepare, Lay and Bond
The old roof is stripped, the deck renewed where needed, and the membrane laid, bonded and rolled, with upstands, corners and outlets carefully detailed.
Finish and Tidy Up
Edge trims are fixed, flashings checked and gutters cleared of debris. Waste is removed from site and the area is left tidy.
Why Us
Why Choose Roofer & Builder?
Flat Roof Experience
With more than 20 years’ roofing experience, we have worked with rubber, fibreglass and felt, and can explain the differences in plain terms.
The Right System for Your Roof
We recommend EPDM where it suits the roof, and tell you when GRP or felt would be the better long-term choice.
Repairs When They Make Sense
If a patch or a rebuilt upstand will stop the leak, we will tell you, rather than recommending a new roof you do not need.
Structural Work In-House
Rotten joists, sagging decks and damaged brickwork around upstands can be put right by our own roofing and building team.
Emergency Line 24/7
If water is coming through a flat roof, call our emergency line at any time. Where it is safe, we make the roof secure first, then arrange a permanent repair.
Clear Written Quotes
Quotations are free, without obligation and written in plain language, so you can see exactly what is included and compare like for like.
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FAQs
EPDM Rubber Roofing FAQs
What is EPDM roofing?
EPDM is a synthetic rubber membrane used to waterproof flat and low-pitched roofs. On most homes it is laid in one sheet and bonded to a timber deck, with trims at the edges and upstands at the walls. It is flexible, fitted without heat and has very few joints.
What kinds of roof is rubber roofing suitable for?
EPDM suits most flat and low-pitched roofs, including garages, single-storey extensions, dormers, outbuildings and commercial units. It works particularly well on simple, rectangular roofs that one sheet can cover. If your garage roof is leaking or holding water, rubber is often one of the options we discuss.
Can a damaged EPDM roof be patched?
Yes, in many cases. Small punctures, splits and lifted seams can be repaired with an EPDM patch and seam tape once the surface has been cleaned and primed. Bitumen-based sealants should generally not be used on rubber. Our practical guide to EPDM repairs explains what to look for.
Why is my rubber roof bubbling or lifting?
Bubbles or lifted areas usually mean the membrane has lost its bond to the deck, or that air or moisture is trapped underneath. Common causes include adhesive applied to a damp or dusty deck, too little adhesive at the edges, or water getting in at an upstand. We find the cause before recommending a repair.
Is EPDM better than GRP fibreglass?
Each has strengths. EPDM is flexible, has few joints and is less dependent on the weather during installation. GRP gives a hard, seamless finish that generally copes better with foot traffic and suits roofs with lots of detail. We compare both against your roof and explain which we would choose and why.
Do I need a new deck for an EPDM roof?
Not always. If the existing boards are dry, firm, well fixed and smooth, they may be suitable. In practice, older flat roofs often have boards that have softened or swollen where water has got in. These need replacing, because the membrane must bond to a sound surface and will show any unevenness beneath it.
Areas We Serve
EPDM Rubber Roofing Across Merseyside
From our base in Maghull we cover Liverpool and the surrounding towns. Find your local page:
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Head Office
Maghull Business Centre, 1 Liverpool Road North, Maghull, Liverpool L31 2HB
Opening Hours
Office: Mon–Sat 10:00–18:00
Emergency line: 24/7