EPDM Rubber Roofing › Aberdare › Guide
Garages in Aberdare are often built into sloping ground beside a terrace, with a flat or low-pitched roof that has been through many wet seasons. Replacing the covering with EPDM is straightforward when the preparation is right. Here is the order in which the work goes, and what we explain at each stage.
Looking at the roof first
We start by seeing what is there. That means the old covering, the deck beneath, the falls towards the gutter, and how the roof meets the house wall or neighbouring garage. Water collecting in one corner tells us a lot about the roof.
On a valley-side garage, we also look at what is overhead: trees, hillside gardens and anything that drops debris onto the roof. Access along a narrow lane or up a back path decides how materials come in, so we agree that with you before the day, and note any neighbour's wall we need to work beside.
Stripping and preparing the deck
The old felt or covering is removed, and we inspect the boards underneath. Soft, stained or lifting boards are cut out and replaced, so the deck is flat, dry and firmly fixed. Any gaps are closed and the surface is cleaned of dust and grit.
A membrane bonded to a poor deck will fail at the same point, so this stage matters more than anything else. We say that to every customer, because the temptation is to cover the old roof quickly and hope, and in a damp valley that rarely works out well.
- Remove the old covering and any loose fixings.
- Replace damaged or soft boards.
- Check falls so water runs to the gutter.
- Sweep clean and dry before bonding.
Laying and bonding the sheet
The EPDM sheet is cut to size, laid loosely over the deck and allowed to settle. It is then folded back and the bonding adhesive applied to both deck and membrane. The sheet is rolled down from the centre outwards, pushing out air so it lies flat.
On most garages the roof can be covered in one piece, which means no joint across the middle of the roof. Where a garage is wider than a single sheet, a joint is made with the manufacturer's jointing tape, pressed down firmly, and we point out exactly where it will be.
Edges, corners and upstands
The membrane is turned up against the house wall to form an upstand, and corners are folded and bonded with care. At the front edge, a trim or drip detail directs water cleanly into the gutter without it running back under the sheet.
Where the roof meets the main house, a flashing above the upstand keeps rain from running behind the membrane. These details take the time, and they are what stop leaks. Rooflights, pipes and vents through the roof get their own formed collars, because a cut-and-hope approach round a penetration is how leaks begin on a flat roof.
- Upstands formed against the house wall.
- Corners folded and bonded, not cut and patched.
- Edge trims fitted to clear water into the gutter.
- Flashing above the upstand at the wall junction.
Final checks and what to expect
Before leaving we check the roof for air pockets, test the outlets and gutters and clear all offcuts. We explain how to look after the roof, which mostly means keeping it clear of leaves and checking the gutters now and then.
If anything on the roof needs a repair later, a patch on sound membrane is possible. Do not climb up to look yourself; ring us for a proper check. Keep an eye on the gutter and downpipe after heavy rain, from the ground, and let us know if water is overflowing or marks appear on the garage wall.
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Common Questions
Can the whole garage roof be one piece?
On most garages, yes. EPDM comes in wide sheets, so a single piece often covers the whole roof. That means no seams across the field of the roof. Larger roofs may need a joint, and we explain where.
How long does laying EPDM on a garage take?
Most garage roofs are done in a day or two, depending on the deck. Weather matters, since the deck has to be dry for bonding. We plan around the Aberdare forecast and tell you if the job has to move.
Do I need to be at home?
Not for the work itself. We need access to the garage roof and the sides, and we agree that beforehand. We will explain what we find on the deck and any extra repairs before going ahead.
Get a Quote in Aberdare
Tell us what the roof is doing in Aberdare and we will look at it. Call 07766 547309, message us on WhatsApp or use the form below.