How to Prevent Bubbles When Using Contact Adhesive During an EPDM Rubber Roof Installation (2021)

Why Has my EPDM rubber roof bubbling?

EPDM rubber roofs are relatively easy to install. In fact 50% of the roofs we supply are to DIYers and homeowners who feel confident in installing a new roof themselves.

Although uncommon, we sometimes receive images of rubber roofs which have had blisters or bubbles appear either immediately after installation or after a few days. Blisters will not affect the integrity of your roof, but we appreciate it is the last thing you want to see after installation! In this video we will go through the most common causes of blisters appearing in a rubber roof and how to avoid this happening to you.

When installing a Rubber roof you will predominantly be using two types of adhesives. A water based deck adhesive for the main deck area and a stronger contact adhesive for the perimeter of the roof and on any vertical surfaces such as upstands or walls.

Blisters appearing around the perimeter of the roof would generally be indicative of the contact adhesive being misapplied. There are 2 mistakes that can be made at this stage.
Applying the adhesive too thick
Not allowing the adhesive to tack off before sticking the rubber down.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE
No responsibility or liability is accepted for the information provided in this video. You are responsible for your own health and safety. Activity with our products whether at ground level or at height is entirely at your risk. If you are an employer you must protect your workers and others from getting hurt or ill through work.

[Kimberlyjoyharrison]

Is that Paul and Ringo playing in the background??

[michaelcollins]

is water based adhesive better than the PU adhesive

[luckeyee]

After year of applying rubber roofs
1: in the winter, it takes far longer to tack off
2: important you allow air flow through to let the gas dissipate. The gas is heavy and will sit close to any surface.
This is more of a problem in gulleys or pig/dog ear corners.
Best way i have found to eliminate these issues is to use an air gun on warm setting or hot air from a distance to allow circulation in the area.
If thats not an option, the longer you leave, the better. I dont mean hours, but leave it to dry off and get on with something else. Do not rush it or it will cause problems.
This is only my opinion and not manufacturers. 👍🏽

[FrancisForsyth-wy]

I’ve recently used the skyguard membrane on my shed. Which had 2 joins across the membrane which is totally fine as I don’t mind how it looks. However these joins were incredibly difficult to lay flat and glue down, they kept rippling. We allowed the membrane to relax in the sun for an hour as recommended and in the end we ended up with a large ripply bumps along the joins which you can push down and spring up again with your finger. The edges are also loosely glued down probably due to the lack of contact adhesive? As the skuguard kit only comes with water based glue. I suppose your meant to pull it tight over the edge and then pin it down with the wood/metal/plastic fascia boards. Overall I’m very happy with the roof, it looks fine and more importantly it performs fantastically and has zero leaks much better than felt or roofing sheets. But will these bumps be a probelm down the road or are they purely cosmetic damages in which case I don’t mind. Would love some feedback.

[andywright]

Is there a solution if you do end up with some bubbles?

[Carl-yuuw]

If you are applying contact to tr27 boards, how many should you cover in one go? All or in sections?

[RileyFreeman]

I have air bubbles in the middle of my membrane...