
Roofs are available in many designs, and it mostly depends on your preference. The most installed roof style is the flat one as they are durable and practical. Even without roofing experience, flat roofs are the most straightforward roofs to repair by yourself. However, if you doubt your expertise, contact trusted roof replacement contractors to get your job done.
Removing the worn-out roof
Materials you’ll need
- Small spade
- Hammer
- EPDM rubber
- Strong adhesive
- Protective gears
Remove roof debris by thrusting with a spade
Roofs are made up of felts, fabrics, and mats that are called plies. Wear safety glasses, gloves, boots, and long pants. Standing on firm ground, hold your spade at an angle of about 35 degrees and start thrusting from one spot. Use a small rounded spade to separate your roof’s damaged layers and hip them aside for proper disposal. Remove the felt, take off gutters and facia so that you can effectively remove the roof beneath them.
Pull off the mortar-filled perimeter
Grab the damaged pieces of mortar and pull them off slowly by wiggling. If they are not yet loose, put a spade underneath the debris and remove them gradually. If you can’t break the region in flush with the wall, use a screwdriver to the wall and hit the handle with a hammer to eject the dry mortar.
Scrap off the remaining pieces of mortar.
Using a hammer and a bolster, scrape off the pieces of concrete still stuck on the brickwork. Insert a space between your roof and the felt and apply pressure slowly upwards, removing the roof’s edges. Place yourself near the front roof in a firm place. Thrust a stripping knife across the front of your roof to remove the remaining felt.
If you have some timber fillets on your roof, make sure to take them off before replacing them with a new roof.
Attaching an EPDM roof
The following steps will guide you on how to attach your EPDM membrane.
Measuring the size of your roof
Using a measuring tape, determine the length and width of your roof. Add some centimeters to your measurements for overlaps. Provide your measurements to your EPDM supplier and purchase a thicker membrane for durability. Clean thoroughly the surface where you will lay the EPDM membrane to ensure good adherence.
Opening of the EPDM
Lay the folded membrane at the center of your roof. Flip the top fold so that it aligns parallel to the edge of the roof.
Spreading the EPDM membrane
Spread the membrane entirely on your roof while making it well-aligned on its edges. Leave the extra centimeters of your membrane to hang off the edge of your roof. Let the membrane settle for about 40 minutes for it to fit the roof correctly.
The next step is to draw your membrane back from the left and fold it towards the roof’s right edge. Ensure that two layers are covering your roof’s right side.
Applying the adhesive
It is recommended that you use a water-based adhesive. Using an adhesive roller, apply the adhesive horizontally from the base of the EPDM. Ensure you apply the adhesive to prevent the formation of air pockets. Cover the left half of the roof with adhesive entirely, then move to the right side.
Attaching the membrane to the roof
After applying the water-based adhesive, press the membrane into position. Using a broom, evenly press the membrane to eliminate airspaces. Swipe the broom from one corner of the roof to the other until the membrane adheres completely. The un-attached flaps of the membrane should be glued to the sides of the roof.
Working from the rooftop can be extremely dangerous; make sure you stand on firm ground while working on the roof to prevent accidents.
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