Why EPDM Rubber Roofs Leak and How to REPAIR Rubber Roofs Permanently with Easy Brush on Sealant

This leak on an EPDM Rubber Roof stunned many roofers. I will show you where to look for this leak and an easy fix. Make your roof leak FREE for the next 25 years.
Repairing leaks on any roof is very easy; finding the leaks is hard. Watch this video to see where to look and identify areas that could potentially cause leaks.
#flatroofrepairs #metalroof #chimneys
Shopping list for EPDM Rubber Roofs Leak and How to REPAIR
- 1 gal of Super Silicone Seal by Bergstromm.com
- 1 Roll of Polyester fabric
- Lacquer Thinners where necessary
- Gal of water
Tools Required for EPDM Rubber Roofs Leak and How to REPAIR
- Disposable brush
- Scissors
- Stirring stick
- Rags for cleaning
Watch this video On how to Repair leaks on an EPDM Rubber Roof - • Why EPDM Rubber Roofs ...
Turbo Poly Seal at bergstromm.com/
Applications where Super Silicone Seal is used: • Use this Flat Roof Coa...
Application where Turbo Poly Seal is used: • Anyone can Repair a Me...
Videos on Repairing Metal Roof leaks: • Metal Roof Coating gon...
Repairing Chimney leaks: • DIY Chimney Leak Repai...
Skylight Leak Repairs: • Skylight leaking due t...
Channel: www.youtube.com/ @FlatRoofDoctor
Super Silicone Seal bought at bergstromm.com/
FTC Affiliate Disclaimer - I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Chapters:
0:00 Revealing a Secret Leal on Rubber Roof
0:40 Torch Down Concept
1:29 EPDM Rubber Sample causes leaks
4:48 The water test
5:14 Caulking used on seams
6:07 Drove 7 hours to show leaks on EPDM Rubber
10:25 Making Repairs with Super Silicone Seal
12:00 Sample how Super Silicone Seal Bond to EPDM
13:48 Showing Repairs after 5 days
#flatroof #repairs

[@joletty1793]

You two are gems! Thank you both for sharing your knowledge and very very helpful tips! ❤❤❤🥰🫠

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

Our pleasure!

[@akoznasovajusername]

Wonderful tips and tricks. I would also paint it with aluminium paint. Rubber is excellent material, but the seams are always an issue on a rubber roof.

[@mohammadt2309]

This is da best channel far Roofing ❤

[@MelodicsRareMusicVid]

love the torch down videos, i have a hole in my metal roof im debating over winter how to go about fixing it and i think torch is the way without disturbing all the seems

[@fugazi225]

thanks for info

[@jameshall1311]

What is the fleece made of is it fibreglass strand?

[@Dafprinces1]

Grandes consejos

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

gracias

[@jeffwood2956]

THIS IS NOT HOW RUBBER IS INSTALLED. You would use adhesive on a 3 or 6 inch seam tape with 1/8 of an inch reveal.

[@Queens-tm1wz]

You tell him. I think that guy is on crack

[@beglight]

Great video. Two questions. 1 -- can you apply this on seams even if you have roof heaters installed underneath the roof rubber? I live in Boston, winters can be harsh, so, there is a roof heater for heavy stormy days. 2 -- would butyl tape do the same job as the super silicone seal?

[@DarwinsGreatestHits]

Can you use that black super silicone seal over aluminum coating too?

[@dcole7092]

Just because current methods are different than old; it doesn't mean they are better!

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

Technology keep changing. Maybe we should have stayed with the old cars and old appliances. EPDM have been used for roofing since the 60's . Ever Since they have had trouble with the seams. They have changed the adhesives and technique over 5 times and still do not solve the problem. Using the Super Silicone Seal is a huge breakthrough. That is the only product that will seep into the small crevices and joints and seal it. It also bonds to EPDM super super good. So back to your statement - This current method is proven to be far better, saving a lot of people a lot of money.

[@debradurling317]

Hi . Thank you for your videos I'm in the UK can you please tell me where I can buy this black silicone product I can get the fleece but not the silicone that you show here I have a leak in my epdm roof on a seam iv watched many videos but yours stands out more then them all. What can I get that is the same please. Thank you

[@nonsheep5823]

Sig roofing

[@jenlim1936]

Will the silcone seal crack and break in Las Vegas very hot weather?

[@peanutbutter2597]

Very good advice 😅 ! But when you fire off your torch ? It was pointed towards a one gallon can of paint thinner 😢

[@MrPaco12009]

😂😅

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

Yes, you are right

[@dcole7092]

Old school confidence ! 😊

[@chuckdoncsecz6457]

You skipped the most important part.... Where is the seam tape? Either 3" or 6" tape is required

[@samsanchez6268]

Question: Can I use turbo poly seal on flashing to flat roof? Will it stick on torch roof?

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

yes it will

[@carlholroyd1462]

Hi I'm from England and wounded if this product is available here? Thanks for the great content.

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

sorry, we do not ship outside of the USA

[@asencyel]

what about using polyurethane caulk between epdm layers? would it make it any better? polycaulk has low vicosity to penetrate cavities inside those grift multiple patches one on another and very flexbile and bonds tight to epdm i assume as it does to conrete and wood but not metal

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

caulking covers a small surface area and when it shrinks, it comes loose

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Seams are always the issue regardless of the type of material and the roof shown has plenty of them. Super Silicon and similar products all pretty much insist the "fleece" reinforcement be used as it is a total system. It can resolve almost all leak issues. I wonder why ANY contractor could not remedy this leaking easily. So sad.

[@84aguayo]

Any products for TPO roof membrane?

[@ItzAkron]

Whats better, tubo poly seal or this super silicone seal?

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

Turbo cant be used on EPDM. Super Silicone is the only product that will adhere to EPDM

[@johnbaumann6581]

Once the can of Super Silicone Seal is opened, does it store well if you put the lid back on tight? Or will it go solid so you would have to buy another can if you wanted to use it later?

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

no sealant stores well, not even paint. once it is exposed to air and moist, curing starts.

[@dcole7092]

Manufacturers website states...Shelf life after opening: 1 month (adequately sealed).

[@toddbrown514]

I have a v-shaped metal roof manufactured in 1989 do you have video showing how to fix leaks around a manufactured chimney box that I would like to remove and patch over

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

ok

[@ryanputt6454]

I was given a rubber roof. So I'm not sure if its epdm. How do I tell? And I need to make the roof a little longer is it ok to attach a different type of rubber to it?

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

You better off staying with the same material. EPDM feels and looks like an innertube of a car tire. Torch Down Rubber have seams every 3 feet.

[@robavis4906]

I have a section of my house that has an epdm roof on it. IT was already installed when i bought the house. At the edge of the house right before the gutter. It lookes like they used some sort of 4 to 6 inch tape ( i assume something like u showed early in the video). What is the proper way to terminate the rubber roof right at the edge like where a drip edge would be. ( hope that makes sense} can i use the super silicone over the existing tape that they put down. I really need to go back up there and investigate but there is tape ran all along the edge of that part of the house. Its not leaking at the moment but looks like water would travel that way and hit the tape before it goes over the edge and into the gutter. I assume water is going to eventually get under the tape.

[@carterdavis9416]

Don’t listen to this dude. He has no clue what he’s talking about. They haven’t solely relied on just primer on seams in 25+ years. He’s also using a primer that is not made by any roofing manufacturer. They use “seam tape” between the seams. The “leaks” he’s showing is just hack work, and not done to manufacture specifications. An EPDM rubber roof will last well over its life time when installed correctly to the manufacturer specifications.

[@tdenver68]

@@carterdavis9416 thank you this dude is not educated in commercial roofing for sure. To answer your question the tape is to cover the nails that were put down to hold your gutter up. It will last as long as the roof as long as they used the correct seem tape and the correct primer.

[@tdenver68]

And all rubber needs to be terminated with metal. If it's just rubber then you need to install some drip edge or gutters onto the edge

[@robavis4906]

@@tdenver68 Thank you for the info

[@tdenver68]

@@robavis4906 it sounds like it's the 4 or 6" seem tape that they put over the nails that hold the gutter on. That is standard practice and done correctly and the epdm will hold for 25 years plus. Your epdm roof is way better than shingles and will last forever if you keep it clean.

[@johnkerrins686]

Is this installation seam issues that you area always speaking about also an issue with TPO roofs?

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

Yes, TPO has the same issues

[@user-bf7hu5pz9y]

Where do you find the fleece tape?

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

bergstromm.com/

[@eastside0434]

You only showed a primed lap joint,they make a 3"&6" seam tape to do a much better job in splicing the seams together.

[@MovingToMnPro]

@3:28

[@carterdavis9416]

@@MovingToMnProthat’s “cover tape” used to strip in a seam that has failed or so on. Seam tape goes between the 2 pieces of primer rubber to bond the two together. They haven’t bonded seams with just primer in 25+ years. This dudes a hack.

[@MovingToMnPro]

@@carterdavis9416 Got it. I've been looking for the product you describe, as I've seen it in a number of other vids.

[@kirkglundal4289]

Is your silicone product acetic acid based?

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

yep

[@jaandel1]

This its the best channel for roofing... no doubts aboutt it

[@carterdavis9416]

This dudes a hack, and knows nothing about roofing.

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

thanks

[@chuckshipley9917]

I was going to be polite, but I can't stand the misinformation anymore. 1. He put that seam together with just primer, no seam tape. There is a 3" seam tape that goes in between the two layers that makes it almost impossible to pull apart without destroying the material. 2. All joints in EPDM roofs are required have a T-patch installed over the top of it with a different uncured membrane that conforms to the joint and seals it. Caulking is applied to the joint itself underneath the patch, and around the installed patch to insure water can't travel in the manner he showed. Ok, I feel better now, carry on....

[@lenglee1662]

EPDM sucks. Even with this repair it, it will eventually leak again. EPDM is also thin so with enough rain, water will go through. With time, the adhesive will wear off and the EPDM will peel apart, allowing water to get in. Unfortunately, with flat roof, you don't have a choice. The permanent fix if possible is to make the roof slope slightly and go with torch down that is much thicker and permanent.

[@lucasthurloff1518]

Really don’t know what your talking about watch to much fake flat roofer from east

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

I agree about Torch Down being the best. But your statement about EPDM will leak because of a lot of rain, makes no sense. There are many 1000's of EPDM roofs and they get a lot of rain. The issue is EPDM shrinks and eventually will put pressure on the flashing and walls pulling it loose. Yes it is thinner than Torch Down, but that is not a cause of leaking. As in the video, we show exactly the reason for the leaks. The seams that are glued together will eventually separate.

[@nonsheep5823]

My job tomorrow is leaking huge skylight over restaurant, the leak is exactly what he is showing ( to places) in external epdm external corner upstand. Leaking under lap, I patched it with a torch on patch x2 its worked, replacing hole roof with torch on sbs tomorrow

[@carterdavis9416]

You patch an EPDM rubber roof with torch down material? 😂 you’d burn through the rubber writhing seconds of trying to “torch” your patch on. You hacks need to stop talking about stuff you obviously know nothing about. 😂

[@nonsheep5823]

@@carterdavis9416 fool you don't torch the rubber you use a hear gun

[@carterdavis9416]

@@nonsheep5823 you don’t use a heat gun on rubber 😂 you clearly have no idea what you’re talking about. EPDM rubber and Tpo, pvc heat weld systems are completely different 😂

[@carterdavis9416]

@@nonsheep5823 stop talking about things you are clearly uneducated on. EPDM rubber patches are applied with an EPDM primer. Heat weld system such as TPO, PVC, and KEE are heat welded at the seams. You said in your initial comment you TORCHED 2 patches onto and EPDM rubber roof which is impossible. You’re a hack who knows nothing about roofing.

[@nonsheep5823]

@@carterdavis9416 I used on resitrix roof that gets heat welded anyway ? , kept the water out temporally, roofs been redone now with sbs ,

[@jergynet]

Is this a Bergstrom product?

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

yep

[@joepenyak5264]

He is wrong. He knows nothing about Epdm roofing obviously. Anyone that is certified in the business will agree with me.

[@aceroofing1565]

Dude, I’ve been saying this for years this guy is a licensed, con artist and his videos. He shows how you can go over deteriorated insulation

[@tdenver68]

This dude knows nothing about roofing 😂been industrial roofing for 20 years tpo, epdm, standing seam metal roofs everything. Don't listen to this guy he is wrong about everything almost

[@tdenver68]

​@@aceroofing1565I wish I had a license this idiot knows nothing

[@williamwilliams9332]

This is coming from who? Make us a video to explain what should be done

[@Kyle-ys3cv]

Anyone who’s spent a single day doing epdm on at least a quasi legitimate crew.

[@Whosurdaddy71]

What about liquid rubber for epdm?

[@mule666]

Does not stick

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

Correct, that has proven to fail

[@benjaminlee5096]

These roofers now a days don't take time to find the actual leak. Our roofer that keeps up our TPO roof at church calls it ass in the air face down. You can't just walk around and look for it.

[@MrFlatroofer]

Why does this rubber roof need repairing so soon.? is it over 40 years old.

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

The rubber itself is not a problem. "is it over 40 years old?" You did not watch the video? A few minutes into the video I asked the owner when was the roof installed. He said about 2 years ago. The adhesives that are used on the seams does not seal the overlapping joints properly. Watch the video to see exactly why it is leaking. I did the sample in the beginning of the video for someone like you. You should watch it again.

[@jeffwood2956]

That roof is 2 years old. Firestone, Carlisle, or JM have a warranty on this roof...and you just voided it. WELL FUCKING DONE HACK JOB

[@lucasthurloff1518]

Pretty sure this man needs to go back to rubber roofing school been flat roofing 25 years he’s not accurate with current insulation methods

[@dcole7092]

Just because current methods are different than old; it doesn't mean they are better!

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

We never talked about insulation in the video??? We only show what went wrong and how to repair it. What insulation?

[@aberuel8823]

I think he meant "instalation " but hes right, you have your old school tricks that in certain situations work just fine. But your take on epdm just is not accurate / up to date. And stop calling people ignorant. ​@@FlatRoofDoctor

[@tdenver68]

This dude knows nothing I've been doing commercial roofing for 15 years and have never used that junk and thats not how you find leaks. Need a job like his im stuck at company

[@mrflatroofer4089]

What a mess.

[@FlatRoofDoctor]

sure

[@Queens-tm1wz]

You don't know what your doing

[@mule666]

Ok ?

[@Queens-tm1wz]

@@mule666 you didn't use any seam tape after you primed the lap do it right the first time then you won't have to worry

[@Kyle-ys3cv]

Absolutely clueless

[@Kyle-ys3cv]

This guy’s absolutely clueless. I can’t believe what I just watched.