EDPM question

[stonykill]

I'm building a Vardo and am almost ready to instal roofing.


what is the process everyone is using to instal the pond liner/edpm? What are you doing under the liner? And are you gluing the liner to the roof? Thanks!

[Bogo]

You will need to glue it down or it will flop in the wind as you drive, or on a high wind day. Either could lead to tearing. Menards sells a water based glue that has worked well on my house. I'd look for a source of white EDPM so it reflects the sunlight better. Heat gain with black EDPM is quite high. It is also possible to paint EDPM. It takes cleaning with caustic chemicals, and special paints.

[stonykill]

so besides glue you aren't doing any weatherproofing of the raw wood?

[mustangcats]

I glued my rubber roof directly to the plywood. There are two methods: The contact method where you put the glue on both the plywood and the back side of the rubber...wait til tacky...and then lay down the rubber. I recommend the second method where you just apply a generous amount to the plywood and while it is still wet lay down the rubber. That way it can be repositioned if you get bubbles, creases, etc. After 20 minutes you then apply even pressure with a broom to firmly press the rubber in place. This is how I did mine and with the help of a friend it was easy. I bought my rubber roof from one of the rv surplus sellers on ebay. He always has plenty in different sizes and it is cheap compared to regular retail.

[bobhenry]

Boy did I screw up then........

I was concerned the sharp edges of the plywood would puncture the epdm especially where pulled tight on the corners so I placed a layer of 1" blue foam over my plywood roof. I used a minimal amount of fastners with the plastic washers to keep the foam in place. I let the edges cascade over the plywood by about an inch.



This way when the rubber was stretched and secured behind the perimeter clips or trim or what you might be using to secure the membrane the foam made a soft/safe corner. No glue at all I simply stretched and secured the rubber behind a wood perimeter trim.



I ran out of material on the rear observation platform so I will simply place an under liner on the ceiling to trap the edges of the rear. I may yet add the insert like the front. I am just waiting to see what the end result looks like.

[stonykill]

love the caboose Bob. I was reading through your thread a few days ago. Sorry to hear about your troubles and I sincerely hope all is well.

[Ptomaine]

so besides glue you aren't doing any weatherproofing of the raw wood?

The latex adhesive is designed for raw wood. I used Bondo to fill/cover the seams, screws, and staples.
With the latex adhesive, you only need to put on one surface (no need to apply it to the EDPM), and it will
allow you a little time for minor adjustments before it sets up.

[grantstew8]

With EPDM or any roof covering directly applied to timber is that if water gets in (condensation/leaks etc) means that the water can't dry out and rots the wood.
I put felt onto a shed roof and in about 5 years it turned the OSB into a smelly mushy non structural timber.....
Keep an eye on any leaks and make sure that the bond between the EPDM and the timber is continuous and not just a dot here and there with glue around the edges (not that you would do that, of course)


Looking good!

[stonykill]

With EPDM or any roof covering directly applied to timber is that if water gets in (condensation/leaks etc) means that the water can't dry out and rots the wood.
I put felt onto a shed roof and in about 5 years it turned the OSB into a smelly mushy non structural timber.....
Keep an eye on any leaks and make sure that the bond between the EPDM and the timber is continuous and not just a dot here and there with glue around the edges (not that you would do that, of course)


Looking good!

you nailed my concerns. My EPDM will be in mid next week. My plan after reading everyone's help is to do what you just stated. And thank you! I'm having a blast!