How to patch a gouged EPDM rubber roof
EPDM roof repairs involve conflicting methods and products like liquid roof repair pastes or standard patches, leaving it unclear which technique actually stops leaks permanently. This confusion prevents homeowners from reliably fixing damage themselves without risking further water intrusion.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- The most recent one is from October 2026.
- This comes up 37.5× more often in r/Roofing than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Buying EPDM roll material and patch kits from Amazon or local roofing supply storesDid this help you?
- 2Cleaning the surface with white gas or naphtha and applying splice adhesive with a pressure rollerDid this help you?
- 3Sealing edges with EPDM-rated caulk or lap caulkDid this help you?
- 4Using Henry's Wet Patch and fiberglass mesh to reseal areas.Did this help you?
- 5Stuffing the hole full of tar and covering it with granulesDid this help you?
- 6Sliding a flat piece of metal flashing underneath the shingle to cover the holeDid this help you?
- 7Prying up the shingle and putting a piece of ice and water shield underneath itDid this help you?
- 8Replacing the damaged shingle entirelyDid this help you?
- 9Filling the hole with roofing cement and applying an ice and water membrane underneathDid this help you?
- 10Inserting a small piece of sheet metal flashing between the shingles and sealing it with caulkDid this help you?
- 11Using roof repair sealant combined with roof repair fabricDid this help you?
- 12Placing a square of self-adhered modified bitumen cap sheet over roofing cementDid this help you?
- 13Applying roofing tar and metal flashing tape over the crackDid this help you?
- 14Applying a large piece of peel and stick membrane directly onto the shingles along with step flashingDid this help you?
- 15Using spray foam, wood hardener, bondo, and silicone as a quick sealDid this help you?
- 16Slipping a piece of aluminum flashing under the shinglesDid this help you?
- 17Applying roofing tar to seal the damaged areaDid this help you?
- 18Hiring a professional siding or roofing contractorDid this help you?
- 19Using rubber adhesive or cement to glue the tear back togetherDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Is there a quick bodge for this or does the shingle need to be replaced immediately? The rest of the roof is in decent shape”source ↗
“Found this hole while cleaning the gutters. Pine needles for scale. What’s the proper way to seal this. Would filling it with Geocel 2300 work?”source ↗
“Found a leak on the ceiling inside our back porch. Went on the roof and found this nice gouged section in our EPDM roof.”source ↗
“Watched a few videos but there seems to me multiple ways to do it and I’m wondering what is best to prevent further leaks.”source ↗
“How to roof this? Kick out flashing?”source ↗
“Planning to use spray foam in the hole. Scrape off the bad wood, add wood hardener, bondo over that, replace silicone and paint. Tell me what I'm doing wrong with this approach, or if there's a better way to patch.”source ↗
“Saw a roofer use a gallon-size can of an instant roof repair tar-like paste - just open and spread over any crack. Couldn't see which kind and didn't have a chance to ask. Is there one you recommend?”source ↗
“I guess the question is how to best address this with the incoming rain to give me some time before I look at a long-term solution”source ↗
“If I'm looking to buy time to at least get through the rain that I'm going to have the next couple days, any suggestions on how to approach short-term plug?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 22How to temporarily waterproof a damaged roof until replacement
- 9How to fix a leaking skylight after rain
- 2What cap sheet lasts longest over an old smooth hot roof?
- 7How to fix loose metal roof trim that won't stay in
- 3How to replace a roof pipe boot with a cap
- 44How to tell if a damaged roof needs replacing before winter