Gallery: EPDM Roof Restoration - Dollar General Store

From the album of Bill Wade.

Dolan and Murphy of Aurora, Illinois called with a leaky roof. The old tar and gravel roof was torn-of and replaced with a ballasted EPDM roof that was suppose to provide 20 years of reliable service.

The ballasted EPDM roof was about 11 years old — and of course, the warranty had expired. Dolan and Murphy contacted the original installer; a popular Aurora roofing contractor, and their response was to replace the 17,500 square foot roof at a cost of $119,875 – ouch.

Affordable Roofing inspected the roof and there were 17 leaks. Of the 17 leaks, 14 were identified as roof leaks and the other 3 leaks were mechanical leaks (leaks coming from HVAC units, plumbing and/or vent stacks). Ten of the 14 roof leaks were repeat offenders and had many repair attempts. Replacing the roof surely seemed logical but at $120K lets look at some alternate methods, perhaps a roof restoration.

As with most EPDM roofs the seams are the problem, not the membrane, EPDM will last a long time. The laps are the issue, they are glued together with splice glue, much like patching a bike tire and the process really is not much different. In addition, just like those inner tube patches, they do leak.

Roof restoration might just be the solution for this aged EPDM roof but Affordable Roofing had to be sure and address each leak, even mechanical leaks, and knows why the roof was leaking. After spending a few hours it was evident the leaks were a result of defective laps and just plain faulty workmanship.

The 3 mechanical leaks were also identified - repairs included replacing of a vent pipe, HVAC door panel and drain pipe connection.

Affordable Roofing restoration bid was accepted and work was completed in summer of 2007. Since completion, our local area has seen a ton of rain including a 10-inch rain that flooded many homes and business and not one drop of water has leaked.