How to Repair the Tile Roof Rubber Around a Vent

Tile roofs sometimes have rubber seals called "flashings" around vents to help seal them and prevent leaks. The rubber often wears down over time due to a combination of age and wear caused by harsh weather elements like wind and rain. Once the rubber starts to degrade, the vent becomes susceptible to leaking. The sooner you repair a damaged rubber flashing on a tile roof, the more likely you'll prevent further water damage and the need for total seal replacement.

Scrubbing sponge
Liquid dish soap
Rubber cleaner
Clean rag
EPDM primer
Paint brush
Flashing membrane patches
Rubber lap caulk

Instructions

- 1
  Wash the rubber and the surrounding area with warm water, a soft scrubbing sponge and several drops of dish soap. This removes accumulated dirt that interferes with the repair process.
- 2
  Apply rubber cleaner to the flashing with a clean rag to further eliminate any materials that could lessen the effectiveness of the repair.
- 3
  Apply a thick coat of EPDM primer to the rubber around the vent. EPDM stands for "ethylene propylene diene monomer," and the primer is specifically designed for rubber repair.
- 4
  Peel off the back of a flashing membrane patch and carefully stretch it across the damaged section of rubber. It has adhesive that sticks to the primer. You may need multiple patches if the rubber seal is damaged all the way around the vent. Smooth it out over the dried primer, so there are no bubbles trapped underneath. Add patches until all the damage is covered securely.
- 5
  Apply rubber lap caulk to the edges of each patch to prevent moisture from getting under the patches.

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