Let’s be honest, EPDM roofs are fairly upfront about what makes them happy. The epitome of low maintenance, they’re not needy – but they do expect to be treated with respect from the off.

Give them careful prep, thoughtful installation, and boom… you’ll lock in a decades-long commitment, forged with strong bonds and the kind of trust that weathers anything.

Since roofs can’t grab you by collar and say, “Fit me right and I’ll stick by you for decades,” we’re stepping in to translate the secret, unfiltered asks of your EPDM.

1. Good Foundations Please!

EPDM membrane only works as well as the surface it’s stuck to.

Debris, dampness, sharp objects, all of these can sabotage what should be a lasting relationship, weaken the bond and lead to future upset. Your roof is silently hoping you take time to prep, double check, and smooth everything over so your EPDM can relax, knowing it’s sealed for decades of leak-free service.

2. Watch the Weather

Blowing, hot or cold? The perfect fit can be a temperamental affair in adverse weather, but you can avert drama by being adhesive-savvy and adapting your approach to suit.

Water-based deck adhesive bonds best in mild temperatures when adhering to traditional ply or OSB. Realistically though, the great British weather rarely obliges.

If thermometers hit 23°C or above, water-based adhesive will dry too quickly. Stay cool and replace it with bonding (contact), applying to both membrane and deck, allowing it to fully tack off before installing EPDM.

Premature fitting can lead to trapped gasses and unsightly ‘brain bumps’ in the rubber, and although most small air bubbles (not moisture) will dissipate with sunlight and heat, a little patience when fitting can stop them in their tracks.

Feeling frosty? Don’t let your roof give you the cold shoulder. If it’s below 5°C, or expected to dip below 5°C in the 48 hours after fit, beat the freeze and switch water-based glue for contact adhesive.

Blowing up a storm? Don’t be afraid to temporarily ballast to settle your EPDM and stop it flying off.

3. Full System … Go!

Think cheese and wine. You wouldn’t pair a posh Pinot Noir with a cheese triangle, so it’s fair to expect your rubber to snub a sub-standard adhesive.

Engineered to ensure harmony, our full-system roofing solutions include everything from Elevate RubberCover EPDM, glues and primer, to flashing tapes, drainage and insulation … you could say they’re made for each other!

Budget in the wrong areas, particularly adhesives, and not only are you off to a shaky start, you’re asking for trouble long term when your roof realises it’s been cheated on.

Stick with a full system approach and you’re guaranteed the perfect match.

4. Joining Options

Where two rolls meet, bring them together with either 3″ seam tape or 6″ cover strip tape.

Although both tapes have peel-off backs, you’ll still need primer to activate them.

6” Cover Strip Tape

• Leave a straight-edge 5mm gap between the two pieces you’re joining.
• With rubbers adhered side by side, lay a 6” cover tape strip in-situ evenly across the join
• Mark 20mm past each side with a white crayon
• Prime within the marks and allow to tack off, no smearing or strings
• Lay tape parallel to the marks, keep taut, overlapping by 50mm if restarting
• Prime over any tape-to-tape overlaps and overlay any joints with 9” FormFlash
• Silicon roller: across the joint first, then along it

Read the full guide here >

3” Seam Tape

• Ensure the leading edge overlaps the lower sheet by at least 100mm
• Mark a line 18mm from the overlap edge using a white crayon (an 18 mm batten helps)
• Prime 100mm wide along the seam and on the overlapping membrane, and allow to tack off
• Apply tape, keeping it taut, edge aligned to the crayon line
• Overlap new sections by 50mm if you cut or start a new roll
• Silicon roll
• Flap back the leading edge – distance to brown paper tape edge should be around 18mm
• Peel the tape backing paper towards you, letting the primed edge fall onto the tape.
• Flatten with your hand as you peel, then silicon roller the entire seam, eliminating air pockets

Top Seam Tape Tip: When a seam joins an adjacent membrane, install a T-piece detail to prevent water ingress.

Read the full guide here >

5. Drainage and Ponding Prevention

EPDM is renowned for its reliable water-resistance, engineered to handle rain, snow and even standing water without rotting, cracking or dissolving. BUT that doesn’t mean it’s invincible.

Pooled water can still trigger problems down the line – don’t let it be your roof’s nemesis.

Take extra weight for example. Prolonged pooling can strain the roof deck, causing structural issues, whilst less than perfect seams and penetrations may shrug off a quick shower but fail the test of time under standing water.

Algae, dirt or debris buildup can make the surface slippery and hide damage, whilst trapped water can expand in cold weather, subjecting edges or sealants to freeze-thaw stress.

Your roof relies on you to give water and condensation a clear escape route with vents, free-flowing drains with leaf guards, and a correct slope for natural run-off.

6. Corners, Edge Trims and Penetrations

These are your EPDM’s emotional hot spots. From a well-placed bead of sealant or square of butyl tape when attaching trims, to a neatly folded ‘pig’s ear’ for internal corner flair, your roof wants you to roll out the red carpet, every time.

The ultimate VIP treatment – patience, care and meticulous attention to detail – means no drama, no water and no heartbreak, just years of leak-free finesse.

7. Don’t Look Back in Anger

Your rubber’s down, you’ve flashed the upstand wall, the gutter drip’s on and you’ve finished like a pro with PermaRoof edging trim, corners and caps.

It might look a million dollars, but give it a bright-light once-over – check every seam, flashing strip, penetration and patch to make sure everything’s truly sound, then sit back and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing.

PermaGroup has established links with some of the biggest names in our industry thanks to our reputation of excellence. Read more about becoming a supplier or stockist here.