EPDM Rubber Roofing › Porthcawl › Guide
A puncture, a lifted edge or a leak at a corner on a rubber roof does not always mean a new roof. EPDM can be repaired with patches and cures when the membrane is sound. On Porthcawl garages, extensions and porches, repair is often a sensible first step, as long as the cause is understood. Here is how we decide.
What a repair can fix
Small punctures, tears, lifted seams and failed patches are all repairable on a sound membrane. A patch of compatible rubber is bonded over the damage with the right cure, and the edges are sealed. Repairs at upstands and corners are possible too, where the detail has failed but the sheet is otherwise in good order.
- Small punctures and short tears in the sheet
- Lifted or failed seams between sheets
- Failed corner and upstand details
- Loose edge trims that need refixing
Finding the real source
Water inside a ceiling rarely appears directly below the hole. It tracks along the deck or insulation before it shows. We trace it from the stain back across the roof, looking at edges, outlets and details first, since these are more common causes than the middle of the sheet. Wind-driven rain on the coast finds these weak points fast. Patching without finding the source usually means a second leak at the same spot a few months later.
When the deck is the problem
If boards underneath are soft, damp or rotten, a patch will not hold for long, since the membrane moves with the deck. The same applies where insulation has soaked up water. In that case we explain that the deck needs repair first, and that may mean lifting the membrane locally or recovering the roof.
When repair is not enough
A membrane that is old, brittle, widely damaged or badly installed is not worth patching repeatedly. The same goes for roofs with ponding that has never been fixed. On some older flat roofs in Nottage and Newton, replacing the covering is the honest recommendation. We tell you plainly, and show you what we found.
- Widespread splitting, shrinkage or brittleness
- Repeated failures in different places
- Serious ponding from poor falls
- Wet insulation or rotten boards across the roof
What to do until we arrive
Keep an eye on the ceiling from inside, and put a container under any drip. Do not go onto the roof to look or to apply sealant, since flat roofs can be slippery and the deck may be weak. If you can see where water is coming in from inside, tell us. We will inspect it safely and give a straight answer. If the leak is active in heavy rain, ring us and describe where it appears, and we will advise what to protect.
Need epdm rubber roofing in Porthcawl? See our epdm rubber roofing in Porthcawl page, or call 07766 547309.
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Common Questions
Can I patch my own EPDM roof?
We would advise against it. Working on a roof is risky, and household sealants do not bond to EPDM properly. Get the leak located from inside, then call us, and we will repair it with the right materials.
Is repairing better than replacing?
If the membrane and deck are sound, repair is often enough and avoids unneeded work. If the roof is failing across its whole area, repairs only delay the inevitable. We give you an honest view after seeing it.
Can you repair a flat roof that was fitted by someone else?
Usually yes, if the membrane is EPDM and in reasonable condition. We check the type of covering, the bond and the details first. If it is not EPDM, we explain what the repair options are in our Flat Roofing South Wales section.
Get a Quote in Porthcawl
Tell us what the roof is doing in Porthcawl and we will look at it. Call 07766 547309, message us on WhatsApp or use the form below.