EPDM Adhesive

I've decided to do a small flat-roofed canopy over a front door in EPDM. There seem to be two types of adhesive, water based and contact (I think?).

The adhesive will be used to bond the EPDM sheet to the ply roof surface, ply on the the sides where the EPDM turns over and down the edges/sides and a thin ply upstand where roof meets wall (this will be flashed).

As it's such a small roof, and the adhesive is only available in very large tins, can I just buy one type of adhesive for the whole job? If yes, which one - I'm thinking the contact? Can the contact be used over the whole of the ply roof surface?

Is there anything else I need to bond the sheet to the roof? I will be using poly nail trims on the edges and either a lead flash or screw on sheet metal version. Many thanks.

Hi there

Ive just done an EPDM rubber roof on the flat part of my extension, about 45 m2.

The waterbased stuff was for the flat part, you roller it on then lay the rubber over it where gravity holds it there until the waterbased glue dries.

I used the contact adhesive on the upstands around the outside of the flat part. Its like puncture repair glue and very very sticky. You coat the rubber and the surface that its being stuck to, wait for it to dry, then apply. Once applied it is virtually stuck fast and takes considerable effort to pull off. As such it defies gravity and holds the part on the upstand in place. The waterbased based stuff would not do this, the rubber will just fall off with gravity.

You could use the contact adhesive for the whole lot but if you need to reposition it after application you will struggle.

Fully understand dilemma as glue tins are big and are very expensive.

Hope this helps

Hi Steve

Thanks for replying and telling me about your experiences with EPDM.

Yes, it's only a small canopy roof - doubt if it's much more than 1.5 to 1.75 sq m. Reluctant to shell out over £40 on two buckets of glue that will mostly go to waste.

Yes, if I just use contact, have got only one go to get it right. For such a small area, there is an aerosol glue available for the job at £10. Would probably need to be careful with wind and masking, or poss spray some into an empty pot and brush on.

http://www.permaroofstore.co.uk/product/368/grabfast-high-temperature-spray-adhesive

Not sure where your buying it from but the waterbased you can get 2.5 lt tins and the contact in 1 lt tins. You should only use the contact adeshive for upstands and dressing the corners. I get mine from Avenir roofing. Im sure you will find a use for the contact somewhere else!

handyman77 said:

Not sure where your buying it from but the waterbased you can get 2.5 lt tins and the contact in 1 lt tins. You should only use the contact adeshive for upstands and dressing the corners. I get mine from Avenir roofing. Im sure you will find a use for the contact somewhere else!

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Thanks for your reply. I had a look at Avenir, but they don't seem to do mail order. Found someone else, who does the small tins mail order. The tin sizes they do makes sense for such a small job.

http://www.the-roof-shop.co.uk/Flat-Roofing-EPDM-Adhesives

Hi mate just to rub salt in the wound we've just finished a large job in Cleveden and we threw away in the skip enough of everything to do your whle roof. OOPS

Oh well... hope you get sorted.

Evo stick do a contact adhesive.