Fishmouths at Older Laps
- You See
- Small open wrinkles at lap edges and T-joints.
- What It Means
- Liquid splice adhesive has let go. Priming and a new cover strip seal the lap.
Frankfort EPDM Roofing Contractor
See Whether a Rubber Membrane Fits Your Roof Layout and Building Use
As a Frankfort EPDM roofing contractor, we install and re-roof with black or white rubber membrane on shops, heated plants, and storage buildings.
- Primer and Seam Tape on every lap
- Very Wide Sheets fewer seams
- Flexible in Cold for winter installs
Does Rubber Fit This Roof?
EPDM rubber roof work in Frankfort, KY suits some roofs far better than others. A Frankfort EPDM roofing contractor looks at layout, heat, and exhaust first.
EPDM Fits
- Roofs with complex layouts and many penetrations
- Buildings already roofed with EPDM, where new laps tie in cleanly
- Heated shops and plants where winter heat gain counts
- Cold-weather projects, since the sheet stays flexible
- Large roofs that suit very wide sheets
Look at Another System
- Restaurant and food-plant roofs near grease exhaust
- Cooled offices where black rubber adds summer heat (white EPDM or TPO fits)
- Pitched metal buildings
- Roofs with wet insulation across most of the field before a tear-off
Problems a Frankfort EPDM Roofing Contractor Sees on Old Rubber
These are the conditions that wear out an EPDM roof, and what each one means for the next sheet.
Bridging at Parapet Walls
- You See
- Rubber pulled tight across the corner where the roof meets a wall.
- What It Means
- Older EPDM shrinks over the years. Catching it early keeps a flashing repair small.
Swollen Rubber Near Fans
- You See
- Soft, puffy membrane around kitchen exhaust.
- What It Means
- Grease and oil swell rubber. Grease boxes help, and a different membrane fits that area.
Ponding in Low Areas
- You See
- Standing water and dirt rings in the field.
- What It Means
- Water sitting on rubber speeds wear. Clear strainers and tapered board move it to drains.
Worn Service Paths
- You See
- Scuffs and small cuts between the hatch and the units.
- What It Means
- Walkway pads along each service route protect the sheet from boots and tools.
EPDM Roofing Seams and Colors in Frankfort
EPDM seam tape vs splice adhesive is the biggest change from older rubber roofs, along with the color of the sheet.
| Choice | How It Works | Where It Fits | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seam tape | Primer on both sheets, tape rolled into the lap | Standard on new installs | Even bond line from end to end |
| Cover strip | Tape strip laid over the lap edge | Factory seams and T-joints | Also used to fix older laps |
| Black EPDM | Absorbs sun, hides dirt | Storage, shops, heated plants | Lower material cost |
| White EPDM | Reflects sun, shows streaks | Offices, retail, cooled warehouses | Lighter load on rooftop units |
What Changes With Fresh Rubber and Taped Laps
Moving from a worn rubber roof to a new sheet changes these details.
Before New EPDM
- Glued laps: liquid splice adhesive letting go at T-joints.
- Tight corners: shrunken rubber bridging at parapets and curbs.
- Patches near fans: swollen spots where grease landed.
- Clogged strainers: water sitting on the field after storms.
After New EPDM
- Taped laps: primer and pressure-sensitive tape rolled toward the edge.
- Fresh base tie-ins: the sheet held where it turns up walls and curbs.
- Protected exhaust zones: grease boxes and pads, or a resistant membrane there.
- Clear drainage: strainers and tapered board moving water off.
Rubber Roof Pulling Away From the Walls?
Call and describe what you see at the parapets and laps. We will check the base tie-ins on the first visit.
How EPDM Roofing Goes On in Frankfort
Clean, dry laps decide how well a rubber roof holds, so the work order protects them.
Inspect Your Roof
Moisture readings and core cuts find wet board, and we check old laps, base tie-ins, drains, and exhaust fans before planning.
Prepare the Deck and Board
Damaged deck gets repaired, then insulation and cover board go down. Sheets are unrolled and left to relax flat before seaming.
Prime and Tape the Laps
Primer goes on both faces, tape is set in the lap, and a silicone hand roller pushes out air toward the edge.
Flash Walls, Scuppers, and Drains
Uncured rubber shapes corners, termination bars hold parapet runs under coping, and drains get the sheet clamped into the bowl.
Neighboring Roof Systems for Frankfort Owners
When rubber is the wrong fit, one of these usually is.
TPO Roofing
Cooled offices and warehouses that want a white, welded surface usually land on TPO.
TPO Roofing in Frankfort
Commercial Roof Repair
A rubber roof with one failed lap or boot gets repaired with primer, tape, and matching EPDM.
Commercial Roof Repair in Frankfort
Flat Roofing
Water that sits on rubber after storms calls for a slope plan along with the new membrane.
Flat Roofing in FrankfortEPDM Questions From Frankfort Owners
Answers to the rubber roof questions owners ask most.
Black or white EPDM roof in Kentucky?
It turns on what happens inside. Black EPDM suits heated buildings and storage, costs less, and hides dirt. White EPDM suits buildings that run air conditioning hard, because it stays cooler in summer, though it shows streaks. Over a cooled office, a white sheet lightens the load on rooftop units through long summer afternoons.
EPDM seam tape vs splice adhesive: what changed?
Modern EPDM seams use primer and pressure-sensitive tape, which replaced the brushed contact cement on many older roofs. Tape gives an even bond line. Cover strips seal factory seams and T-joints, and lap sealant adds protection at exposed edges. Laps showing fishmouths get primed and stripped.
How is EPDM parapet and scupper flashing done?
Membrane runs up the parapet face and gets secured with a termination bar under metal coping. Through-wall scuppers get a lined metal sleeve with stripping over the flange. Corners use uncured rubber stretched to shape, and drains get the sheet clamped under the ring.
What does grease damage on EPDM roofs look like?
Soft, swollen rubber around kitchen or process exhaust fans. Grease and oil soften the sheet, so restaurants and food plants need a different membrane near the vents or added protection such as grease boxes. Walkway pads, clear drain strainers, and spring and fall seam checks protect the rest of the roof.
Where does EPDM still make sense?
On roofs with complex layouts and many penetrations, where rubber flashing bends easily; on buildings already roofed with EPDM; on heated spaces; and on cold-weather jobs, since the sheet stays flexible. Very wide sheets also mean fewer seams on a large roof.
Can a new EPDM roof go on in winter?
Often, yes. Rubber stays flexible in the cold, and mechanically fastened EPDM keeps going on chilly days. Primers and adhesives have minimum temperatures on the maker data sheet, so they stay warm on the job until use, and each day opens only as much roof as the crew can seal before dark.
Work With a Frankfort EPDM Roofing Contractor
Tell us about the building and its exhaust fans. We will walk the roof and price a rubber system that fits it.