MuleHide EPDM Rubber Roofing
Flat and low slope roofs cover porches, rowhouse additions, garages and commercial buildings all over Pittsburgh. As a MuleHide certified contractor, we install MuleHide .060 EPDM, a single ply synthetic rubber membrane that stays flexible through freeze and thaw, with sealed seams and new flashing at every edge.
- MuleHide certified
- MuleHide .060 EPDM
- 2 ply system
- Silicone coatings
- Free written estimates
- PA HIC# PA174918
What Goes Into an EPDM Roof
A rubber roof usually leaks at its seams, edges and drains long before the rubber wears out. Every EPDM roof we install gets these four steps.
1. Deck Check
Old roofing comes off and any soft or rotted decking is replaced.
2. Membrane
MuleHide .060 EPDM is rolled out and bonded to the clean, dry deck.
3. Sealed Seams
Every seam is cleaned, primed and sealed with tape made for EPDM.
4. Flashing
New flashing at walls, curbs, vents and drains, so water runs off.
EPDM Flat Roofs Around Pittsburgh
Rubber roofs are not only for commercial buildings. We install MuleHide EPDM on homes, apartments and storefronts, sometimes alongside a new Atlas shingle roof on the pitched sections. These are recent flat and low slope jobs from Mt. Washington to Bellevue.
- EPDM in Mt. Washington
- Atlas plus EPDM in Glenshaw
- 2 ply system, Observatory Hill
- Mirror and Glass .060 EPDM
- Apartment EPDM, McKees Rocks
- Silicone box gutters, Bellevue
Why We Install MuleHide EPDM
EPDM rubber has a long track record on Pittsburgh flat roofs, and we are MuleHide certified to install it.
Cold Weather
Rubber stays flexible in freezing weather and moves with the roof through thaws.
Few Seams
Wide sheets of rubber cover a flat roof with fewer seams where water can get in.
MuleHide Certified
Certified for MuleHide flat roofing, including .060 EPDM and the 2 ply system.
Work All Winter
We work all winter, so a leaking flat roof does not have to wait until spring.
What Our Rubber Roof Customers Say
Request a Free Estimate
EPDM Rubber Roof FAQ
Straight answers to what Pittsburgh homeowners and building owners ask us most about EPDM rubber roofs.
How long does an EPDM roof last in Pittsburgh?
A well installed EPDM roof commonly lasts 20 to 30 years. The rubber rarely fails first. Seams, flashing, clogged drains and ponding water decide how long the roof stays dry, so we install MuleHide .060 EPDM, which is thicker than the 45 mil rubber sold at home centers. See our rubber roof maintenance tips.
What are the downsides of an EPDM roof?
Standard EPDM is black, so it absorbs summer heat. Seams are the weak point if they are not cleaned, primed and sealed correctly, and sharp objects or heavy foot traffic can puncture the rubber. Careful installation handles most of these issues. Before adding foot traffic, read can you walk on an EPDM roof.
Is EPDM or TPO better for a flat roof in Pittsburgh?
Both are single ply membranes. EPDM is rubber with a long track record in cold climates, and it stays flexible in freezing weather. TPO is usually white, reflects summer heat and has heat welded seams. For most porch roofs, rowhouse roofs and additions, we usually recommend EPDM. On larger commercial roofs it depends on the building, as our TPO vs EPDM guide explains.
Can an EPDM roof be repaired?
Usually, yes. Open seams, punctures and failed flashing can be repaired with primer, seam tape and patches made for EPDM. Asphalt based tar is not compatible with EPDM and should not be used on it. If the deck is soaked, replacement is the better value. See our residential roof repair and commercial roof repair services.
Can water sit on an EPDM roof?
EPDM handles standing water better than many roof types, but no flat roof should hold water for days. Ponding adds weight, works on weak seams and leaves dirt that clogs drains. Water still sitting 48 hours after a storm usually means a low spot, a sagging deck or a blocked drain or scupper. Read more about preventing ponding water.
Can you put a silicone coating over an old rubber roof?
Often, yes. If an EPDM roof is weathered but still dry underneath, a MuleHide silicone coating can seal it and add years of protection without a tear off. The rubber is cleaned and primed first, and wet insulation or soft decking has to be fixed, because a coating cannot save a roof that is already failing. See our silicone roofing page.
Can you install a rubber roof in winter?
Yes. We work all winter. EPDM adhesives, primers and seam tape have temperature limits, so we plan the bonding work around the forecast, and a dry deck matters more than the calendar. If your flat roof starts leaking in January, call us and we will stop the leak first. Read more about installing roofs in rain or winter.
What affects the cost of a rubber roof?
We price every flat roof after a free inspection. The main factors are the size of the roof and how easy it is to reach, how many old layers come off, decking or insulation that needs replacing, the drains, vents and skylights to flash, and any box gutters that need work. We also offer financing. For background, compare asphalt and rubber roofing.
Is EPDM a good choice for a porch or rowhouse roof?
Yes. EPDM fits the low slope roofs found all over Pittsburgh: porches, rowhouse rear roofs, additions and garages. Most leaks start where the flat roof meets a wall, so we flash those joints carefully. In Mt. Washington and Glenshaw we paired MuleHide EPDM with new Atlas shingles. Read why low slope porch roofs leak, or see residential roof replacement.
Do you install EPDM on commercial buildings?
Yes. We installed MuleHide .060 EPDM on the building for Pittsburgh Mirror and Glass and an EPDM roofing system on a McKees Rocks apartment building. Larger roofs often need insulation under the membrane and careful work at every rooftop unit and drain. See commercial roof replacement, or read do commercial roofs need insulation under EPDM.
Can you fix leaking box gutters on a flat roof?
Yes. Box gutters are built into the roof edge on many older Pittsburgh homes, and a worn lining sends water into the walls below. Our repair division handles box gutters. They can often be sealed with a MuleHide silicone coating, as we did on a Bellevue home, or relined as part of a new rubber roof.
Do you install EPDM roofs in my area?
We install and repair EPDM rubber roofs throughout Pittsburgh and the North Hills, with recent flat roof work in Mt. Washington, Glenshaw, Observatory Hill, McKees Rocks and Bellevue. We also serve nearby communities including Sewickley, Fox Chapel, Franklin Park and Cranberry Township. Request a free estimate, and we will inspect your roof.
Compare Other Roofing Materials
Not sure rubber is right for your roof? See the other roofing materials we install and repair across Pittsburgh.
