epdm roof: How To Tell If An EPDM Roof Is Wet - 07/29/18 03:59 AM
How to tell if an EPDM roof is wet.
EPDM (Ethylene Polypropylene Diene Monomer) is a synthetic rubber roofing surface, produced by Firestone, and if installed properly will last 15 - 20 years depending on the amount of direct sunshine it gets.
Key words:  installed properly.
Like any product, if a roofing surface is not installed well or according to manufacturer instructions, it will experience problems, sometimes early on.
Known problems associated with improper installation, or age, with EPDM can include ponding (puddles) which develop because there is not a proper slope, improperly prepared under surface onto which the synthetic rubber is glued, bubbles, tears, poor … (34 comments)

epdm roof: A Flat Roof Must Provide A Way For Water To Go - 07/15/17 02:54 AM
A flat roof must provide a way for water to go.
If not, water sits, and finds any small opening it can. 
Since we know gravity works, if water can go down, it will.  On a flat roof surface, that means eventual destruction.
This is a 17 year old EPDM roof surface. 
EPDM is a synthetic rubber surface, manufactured by Firestone, and is an excellent product when installed correctly.  If it is not failure is imminent.
The bubble on the edge means the glue is giving away.  The staining on the wood post trim indicates rot.  And notice how the post is sinking into the roof … (18 comments)

epdm roof: Markanich Theorem - Inappropriate Repairs Are Inappropriate - 11/22/15 06:53 PM
Markanich Theorem - Inappropriate repairs are inappropriate.
Just like AB = BA and a straight line is the shortest distance between two points (except on a globe).
The roof - flat EPDM.
The repair - goop.
The repair - inappropriate.
EPDM is a good roof if installed correctly.
It is a synthetic rubber produced by the Firestone Corporation.
I actually went to the Firestone facility years ago and had a 5 day class learning about their products and proper/improper installation thereof.
Their were 20 other home inspectors in that class of 50 or so.  It was very smart of them to invite so many home inspectors.
Goop is never a … (13 comments)

epdm roof: EPDM Roofing - Dimples, Pimples and Pancakes - 04/06/15 08:05 PM
When you see EPDM roofing - dimples, pimples and pancakes.
EPDM roofing is a synthetic rubber roofing which can last a long time when installed properly.  When it is not, it can go bad quickly.
This large house is 6 months old.  The flat second-floor balcony is not accessible from inside the house, except by window, but very visible.
It was left muddy, covered in paint drips and debris by the builder.  The clients understandably wanted all that cleaned off.  But that doesn't answer to the installation job itself.
Firestone has many web pages full of diagrams and explanations as to the installation of EPDM.  … (15 comments)

epdm roof: What To Do About A Problem Before And After "Professional" Repair? - 09/28/14 09:21 PM
Answer this question - what do to about a problem before and after "professional" repair?
It doesn't matter what "the problem" is.
In this case "the problem" is a leaking EPDM roof.  This can be a very expensive repair as it not only involves the roofing surface but the structure underneath. 
My report, and photos, identified the problems.  It recommended professional evaluation and estimation for repair costs.
It also said that Firestone, the producer of EPDM roofing, has an approved list of contractors trained in EPDM evaluation and repair.  And not to trust a contractor that is not so approved.
Instead … (16 comments)

epdm roof: "'My Guy' Looked At It, And He Says It's Okay..." Said The Builder Rep - 09/13/14 08:13 PM
My client complained more than once about a leaking front porch roof, and finally heard this - "My guy looked at it, and he says it's okay..." said the builder rep.
Interesting.  Of course the roof was looked at when the homeowner was known not to be home, but that is an aside.
Just a little later, and before the one-year warranty expires, I was called to look at it.  This is a small, flat roof, approximately 8'x6', and covered with a rubber membrane called EPDM.
REMEMBER, A HOME INSPECTOR IS AN OBJECTIVE EVALUATOR AND HAS NO FINANCIAL INTEREST BEYOND THE … (54 comments)

epdm roof: Every Mistake Possible On One Brand-New Roof - 10/16/13 09:53 PM
Doing a new construction inspection, with a flat, front-porch EPDM roof, it's hard to do, but I found every mistake possible on one brand-new roof.
For the client, to say it was disappointing would not begin to approach their true feelings.  This house provided me 8.5 pages of notes, and I write my notes in shorthand.
EPDM is a synthetic rubber roof, made by Firestone.  Properly installed it is a great product.  Poorly installed the roof can have rotting within a couple of years.
This is what every post on the guardrail over the porch looked like.

Obviously uninformed as … (40 comments)

 
Jay Markanich, Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC)

Jay Markanich

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Bristow, VA

More about me…

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC

Address: Bristow VA 20136

Office: (703) 330-6388

Mobile: (703) 585-7560

An experienced home inspector's look at current home inspection events and conditions along with his useful recommendations.


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