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Difficult

How to glue EPDM to Brick

The short answer

For an illbruck ME220 EPDM membrane on sound brick, use the manufacturer system: CT113 contact adhesive with its specified porous-substrate primer process, or the documented SP015 hybrid alternative. CT113 documentation directly names brick, requires a clean dry substrate, a 10-15 minute flash-off, seam-roller pressure, and at least 100 mm bonded width on porous backgrounds. Do not generalise this result to every EPDM compound or generic rubber adhesive.

Why this bond behaves the way it does

EPDM is low-energy and brick is porous and dusty, so the named membrane/adhesive/primer system matters. CT113 directly covers ME220 EPDM to brick and provides an elastomeric, weather-resistant facade bond. SP015 provides a solvent-free, permanently elastic alternative documented for ME220 to masonry.

What to use

Best choice

Contact adhesive

CT113 is directly documented for illbruck ME220 EPDM membrane on brick and provides the primer, flash-off, pressure, and minimum bonded-width process needed for a porous substrate.

Primer: For porous brick, dilute CT113 with AW421 in the current TDS ratio and prime the full bonded area.

Gaps: Contact adhesive needs full contact and is not a deep-gap filler.

Curing: Flash off for about 10-15 minutes and seam-roll thoroughly.

Watch out: Direct support is limited to the named illbruck membrane system.

Also works

MS polymer

illbruck SP015 is a solvent-free STP adhesive directly documented for ME220 EPDM to masonry and concrete and forms a permanently elastic waterproof connection.

Primer: The cited page describes self-priming use on typical building substrates; verify whether the actual brick condition changes that.

Gaps: More tolerant than contact adhesive, but maintain the membrane maker's required geometry.

Curing: Protect from movement until the current TDS cure requirement is met.

Watch out: Verify UK availability and the exact regional specification before substitution.

Only in some cases

Structural acrylic

Certain structural acrylic grades bond EPDM, but the cited evidence here does not document the second masonry interface; use only with written exact-pair support.

Primer: Do not assume primerless EPDM bonding also means primerless brick bonding.

Gaps: Select a grade for the actual porosity and gap.

Curing: Follow the exact grade TDS.

Watch out: This route is unverified for the exact pair in this pack.

Avoid

Cyanoacrylate

Ordinary cyanoacrylate is not a credible default for a porous brick face and broad flexible EPDM membrane. The named membrane systems provide the necessary primer and flexible bond.

Primer: A generic rubber primer does not substitute for the masonry process.

Gaps: Unsuitable for the rough porous gap.

Watch out: Small engineered EPDM parts are a different application and need exact grade evidence.

What to avoid

Avoid generic contact cement, ordinary construction adhesive, or cyanoacrylate without exact EPDM-and-masonry documentation. Do not omit a specified porous-surface primer, substitute a random solvent, bond to damp or friable brick, or confuse water resistance with continuous-immersion approval.

Preparing the surfaces

EPDM

Use the named compatible EPDM membrane. Keep it clean, dry, and free of release agent; if degreasing is necessary, follow the membrane/adhesive maker and use isopropanol only where permitted. Do not use acetone on EPDM.

Brick

Brick must be sound, dry, degreased where necessary, and free of dust and loose particles. For CT113, prime the full bonded area with CT113 diluted in the manufacturer-specified AW421 ratio, then allow the primer to dry for about 10-30 minutes.

How to do it

Mix CT113 thoroughly, brush or roll it evenly onto both faces, allow about 10-15 minutes to flash off using the finger-touch check, join, and press thoroughly with a seam roller. Maintain at least 100 mm bonded width on brick and temporarily support heavy strips.

Working, clamping and cure times

CT113 develops a high-strength elastomeric connection rapidly, but the exact loading time must follow the current TDS and site conditions. Keep the membrane supported until adequate load capacity develops.

If the conditions are harder

ConditionVerdictNotes
Outdoor use Works CT113 is documented for facade EPDM installation and the cured adhesive is described as resistant to weathering and UV ageing.
Water and wet areas Works with care CT113 documentation supports water resistance for the facade connection, but the evidence is not a continuous-immersion rating. Detail edges and drainage as the membrane system requires.
Heat and cold Works The CT113 UK page states service from -20 to 80 C for the adhesive connection; remain within the limits of the membrane and complete wall system.
Flexible or moving joints Works CT113 forms an elastomeric connection and SP015 is documented as permanently elastic, subject to the specified bonded width and compatible membrane.

Direct evidence is for the illbruck ME220 system. Other EPDM sheets may contain different release agents or formulations and require written approval or representative adhesion testing.

Products that fit

Ordered by how well they suit this specific job. Nothing is ranked by what it pays.

illbruck illbruck CT113 EPDM Membrane Adhesive

Contact adhesive

The manufacturer TDS directly covers ME220 EPDM membrane on brick and specifies the complete porous-substrate process.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. It never changes which adhesive we recommend.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Reviewed 8 October 2026. Overall confidence: Manufacturer verified.

Sources used for this guide:

Always read the instructions and safety information supplied with the product you buy. Where they differ from anything here, follow the manufacturer.