Why So Many Buildings Here Have Rubber Roofs
EPDM has been on commercial roofs for decades, and many of the offices, churches, and retail buildings built across St. Charles County in the 1980s, 90s and 2000s still have it. It handles the swing from humid 95-degree summers to single-digit January nights without cracking, and it tolerates the building movement that comes with large, flat roofs.
The tradeoff is that EPDM is only as good as its seams and flashings. When a rubber roof leaks, the problem is almost always at a lap, a corner, a pipe boot, or where the membrane turns up a wall.
EPDM Services We Offer
EPDM repair
We repair opened seams with primer and seam tape, replace failed pipe boots and corner flashings, patch punctures and splits, and re-secure membrane that's pulled loose at the edges. Repairs are done with EPDM-compatible materials, not general-purpose caulk that fails after one summer.
EPDM restoration
When the roof is aging but still attached and mostly dry, a coating system made for EPDM can reinforce the seams and seal the whole surface. It's often a fraction of the cost of replacement and, depending on the system, may qualify for a manufacturer warranty.
New EPDM roofs and recovers
For full replacement, we install fully adhered or mechanically attached EPDM with new insulation and edge metal. If the existing roof qualifies, we can recover over it to avoid tear-off.
Signs Your Rubber Roof Needs Work
- Seams that are open, curling, or have black residue squeezing out
- Membrane shrinking and pulling away from walls and edges ("tenting")
- Cracked or split pipe boots and corner patches
- Bubbles or soft spots that suggest water under the membrane
- Leaks that show up after heavy rain but not light rain
Repair before it spreads. Water that gets under EPDM soaks into the insulation, and wet insulation is what turns a repair into a replacement. Catching leaks early is the cheapest thing you can do for a rubber roof.
Buildings We Service
We work on EPDM roofs on office buildings, churches, medical offices, schools, retail centers, and multi-family buildings in St. Charles, St. Peters, O'Fallon, Wentzville and the surrounding area. Many of these roofs have years of life left with the right repairs.
How We Handle It
Every job starts with a free assessment. We inspect the seams and flashings, check for wet insulation, and photograph what we find. You'll get written options for repair, restoration, or replacement, with an honest recommendation about which makes sense for how long you plan to own or manage the building.
EPDM Roofing Questions
How long does an EPDM roof last?
EPDM roofs commonly last 25 years or more, and thicker membranes that are well maintained can last longer. Most EPDM roofs don't fail across the whole surface; they fail at seams, flashings and penetrations, which is why repairs can add years.
Why are the seams on my rubber roof coming apart?
Older EPDM roofs were often seamed with liquid adhesive that breaks down over time with heat and UV. Newer roofs use seam tape, which holds up better. Opening seams can usually be cleaned, primed and re-taped without replacing the roof.
Can an EPDM roof be coated instead of replaced?
In many cases, yes. If the membrane is still attached and the insulation underneath is dry, a coating system designed for EPDM can seal the seams and surface and extend the roof's life. We test for moisture first to make sure a coating is a good investment.
Is EPDM a good choice for a new roof?
It can be. EPDM is very durable, stays flexible in cold weather, and is simple to repair. A white roof like TPO may save more on cooling for buildings with heavy air conditioning use. We'll lay out both so you can decide.