Rite Aid’s Reed City, Michigan location was leaking like a sieve. What caused this? Good question. This problem was caused by an EPDM rubber roofing system that failed at the seams. The glue at the seams ultimately failed, as seen in the photo above. What is EPDM? Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (or EPDM) is a common roofing material also known as rubber roofing. While it enjoyed its fair share of popularity in the past, there are better materials today. One of the significant drawbacks of EPDM is its natural black color. There has never been a better time to switch from a black roof to a white roof with energy costs climbing daily. Some think that the black color helps melt snow from off roofs in the wintertime. This is simply not true any time that it counts. For this to be true, the black roof needs to be exposed. Anyone familiar with heavy snowfall understands that if the snow is deep enough to cause concern, the roof will be covered entirely, rendering any benefit of a black roof void. EPDM is prone to weather-checking cracks and seam failures as well.

Today we have superior roofing systems in brilliant reflective white. Quality insulation paired with this new white roofing is the best of both worlds. Insulation slashes energy bills year-round while the white reflects 85% or more of solar radiation during the summer months easing cooling bills.

Rite Aid contacted us, searching for a superior roofing system. Our inspection showed that the entire membrane would require tear-off, and all waterlogged insulation boards needed to be replaced with new ISO Boards. 

White Reflective 60 mil Heat-Welded TPO Single-Ply was chosen as a superior replacement.