Flat Roof Repair Horsham PA
When Flat Roofs Turn Into Indoor Swimming Pools
Steve from Ambler called me at 11 PM Sunday night in complete panic. "Jim, my garage has two inches of standing water and it's still raining. The flat roof over my workshop is leaking like a sieve and all my tools are getting soaked."
When I got there with my emergency tarps, his EPDM rubber roof had three major tears from Saturday's wind storm. Tree branches had punctured the membrane in multiple spots, and water was pouring through faster than he could mop it up.
We had the leaks sealed and the water pumped out by 2 AM. Tuesday morning, we installed a complete new TPO roofing system that's designed to handle anything Pennsylvania weather throws at it.
Flat roofs fail differently than pitched roofs, but when they go bad, they go really bad really fast.
Why Flat Roofs Fail Faster in Montgomery County
Flat roofs don't actually drain like pitched roofs do. Water sits on the surface longer, finds every tiny weakness, and eventually wins the battle against your roofing membrane. Add Pennsylvania's freeze-thaw cycles, UV exposure, and those 70+ mph wind gusts, and flat roofs take a serious beating.
Flat Roof Problems We Repair Weekly
-
Punctures from falling branches during storms
-
Seam separations where membrane sections connect
-
Ponding water that doesn't drain properly
-
UV damage causing membrane brittleness and cracking
-
Flashing failures around roof penetrations and edges
-
Ballast stone displacement exposing membrane underneath
The commercial building on Horsham Road had small ponding areas they ignored for two years. Those puddles turned into membrane deterioration, then leaks, then $12,000 in interior damage that could've been prevented with $800 in drainage improvements.
What to Do Right Now (Before We Arrive)
Stop Water from Reaching Interior Spaces
Move everything valuable away from leak areas immediately. Use tarps to direct water toward drains if possible. Don't walk on wet flat roofs - they're slippery and you could fall through damaged areas.
Document Leak Locations and Damage
Take photos showing where water is coming in and what's getting damaged. Note if leaks happen during all rain or just heavy downpours. This helps us locate exact problem areas.
Clear Roof Access for Emergency Repairs
Remove any obstacles around roof access points. Turn off electricity to affected areas if water is near electrical components. Safety first - water and electricity don't mix.
Where Flat Roof Damage Creates Expensive Problems
Interior Damage Spreads Fast
Flat roof leaks dump water directly into your space below. No attic to absorb moisture first. Damage to flooring, equipment, inventory, and building contents happens immediately.
Structural Issues From Standing Water
Ponding water adds weight that roof structures weren't designed to handle long-term. Causes sagging, stress fractures, and eventual structural failure if drainage problems aren't corrected quickly.
The warehouse in Blue Bell had chronic ponding that went unaddressed for three years. The roof deck started sagging so badly they needed structural reinforcement before we could even repair the membrane.
Emergency Leak Location and Temporary Sealing
We find the exact source of leaks using specialized inspection techniques. Temporary repairs stop water intrusion immediately while we plan permanent solutions. Emergency tarping when needed to protect interior.
Membrane Assessment and Repair Planning
Different flat roof materials require different repair approaches. EPDM rubber, TPO, modified bitumen, and built-up roofs all have specific repair techniques and compatible materials.
Permanent Repair Installation
Professional repairs using materials designed for your specific membrane type. Proper surface preparation, adhesive application, and seaming techniques that create watertight repairs lasting years.
Professional Flat Roof Repair: $800-2,500
Address leaks, improve drainage, replace damaged membrane sections. Prevents water damage and extends roof life significantly with proper materials and techniques.
Ignore Problems Until Major Failure: $8,000-15,000
Complete membrane replacement, structural repairs, interior damage restoration. What starts as simple leak repair becomes major renovation project.
Emergency Water Damage: $3,000-12,000 additional
Interior damage to floors, equipment, inventory. Mold remediation costs. Business interruption losses. All preventable with timely flat roof maintenance.
Preventing Flat Roof Failures Through Maintenance
Regular Drainage System Cleaning
Flat roofs depend on drains and scuppers to remove water. Clogged drains create ponding that accelerates membrane deterioration. Clean drains twice yearly minimum.
Annual Professional Inspections
Small membrane problems are easy to repair when caught early. Wait until major leaks develop and repairs become expensive emergency situations requiring extensive work.
Why Flat Roofs in Pennsylvania Need Special Attention
Our climate is particularly hard on flat roofing materials. UV exposure that breaks down membranes faster. Freeze-thaw cycles that stress seams and create cracks. Ice and snow loads that exceed design limits.
Commercial and residential flat roofs throughout Montgomery County were often installed when building codes were less strict. Modern repairs need to meet current standards while working with existing structural limitations.
Flat Roof Material Options for Repairs
EPDM Rubber Membrane Systems
Most common flat roof material in our area. Repairs involve cleaning, priming, and applying compatible EPDM patches or liquid sealants. Properly done repairs blend seamlessly with existing membrane.
TPO Single-Ply Roofing
Heat-welded seams create strong repairs on TPO systems. White surface reflects heat and reduces cooling costs. Modern material that handles Pennsylvania weather well.
Flat Roof Drainage Solutions
Improved Drainage Design
Add drains, improve slopes, install overflow systems. Ponding water causes most flat roof failures. Better drainage prevents problems before they start.
Scupper and Gutter Integration
Connect flat roof drainage to building gutter systems. Ensures water gets directed away from foundation. Prevents overflow during heavy rain events.
24/7 Emergency Flat Roof Repair Available
Flat roof leaks cause immediate damage because there's no buffer between your roof and interior space. Every minute water pours in creates more expensive problems.
Don't let flat roof problems flood your building or damage your equipment. Professional repair today prevents thousands in water damage tomorrow.
Call (215) 824-6932 right now for emergency flat roof repair service. We respond 24/7 throughout Montgomery County and can usually provide immediate leak protection.
Protect Your Property with Expert Flat Roofing Services
Flat roofs require experience — and Armstrong Roofing delivers. Whether it’s a leak, a major upgrade, or new build, we have you covered.
📍 Trusted across Horsham, Blue Bell, Fort Washington & all nearby areas
📞 Call (215) 824-6932 or Request a Free Estimate today
From beginning to end Jim was very informative, personable and eager to help with the problem I was facing. A lack of ventilation in my flat roof would cause a considerable amount of condensation to build up on the underside of the second floor ceiling.
Jim assessed the roof, found a few spots where the plywood was starting to warp as well as areas in need of care. Jim provided pictures as well as videos to show me just what he saw while up there. After a few options we decided to replace the plywood in need of repair, install a new rubber roof and an attic fan.
On the day of the job, Jim and his crew found that the plywood in question was never nailed down properly causing the what seemed to be warping. So Jim and his crew walked the entire roof screwing down any weak points that were not nailed down properly before installing the new rubber roof. Jim and his crew did a Great Job with the final product all for a Great price.
No More Condensation! And second floor is considerably cooler.
Hands down would recommend Jim to any of my family and friends. I hope I never have to have an issue with my roof again but I know who I’m calling if it happens. 🤝
Loyal Customer