EPDM rubber roofing

EPDM is a synthetic rubber membrane with decades of use on northeastern roofs. It stays flexible in deep cold, handles freeze-thaw well and is straightforward to repair. It is common on rowhouses, porches, additions and commercial buildings throughout Albany, Troy and Schenectady.

TPO roofing

TPO is a single-ply membrane, usually white, with seams that are heat-welded rather than glued or taped. The white surface reflects sunlight, which helps keep top-floor units and buildings cooler in summer. It is a common choice for commercial roofs and larger flat roofs.

Flat roof repair

Most flat roof leaks start at the details, not in the middle of the roof:

• Seams that have opened or lost adhesion
• Flashing at parapet walls, chimneys, curbs and skylights
• Pipe boots and penetrations that have cracked or pulled away
• Drains and scuppers that clog and let water back up
• Punctures from foot traffic, fallen branches or rooftop equipment

We find the leak, repair it with compatible materials and photograph the result.

Flat roofs on homes

Many Capital Region houses have a flat section somewhere: a rear addition, a porch roof, a garage or the entire roof of a brick rowhouse. These roofs get less attention than the main roof until they leak. We install and repair membranes on residential flat roofs and tie them properly into the shingled roof and walls around them.

Commercial flat roofs

For businesses and landlords, we handle full flat roof replacements, recovers where code allows, and ongoing maintenance. See commercial roofing for how those projects run.

Ponding, drainage and insulation

Water that stands on a flat roof for days after rain is a warning sign. It can mean sagging structure, compressed or wet insulation, or drains in the wrong place. During a replacement we can add tapered insulation to create slope toward the drains, which is the most reliable fix.

What a flat roof replacement includes

1. Remove the old membrane and any wet or damaged insulation
2. Repair the deck where needed
3. Install insulation boards, tapered where drainage needs help
4. Install the EPDM or TPO membrane, fully adhered or mechanically attached
5. Flash walls, curbs, penetrations and edges, and install edge metal
6. Clean up and walk the finished roof with you

EPDM or TPO at a glance

Flat roofs on Albany rowhouses

Brick rowhouses in Albany, Troy and Cohoes often have a single low-slope roof hidden behind a parapet, draining to the rear or to an internal drain. They leak most at the parapet flashing, around chimneys and at clogged drains. When we replace one, we rebuild the parapet flashing, check the drain and make sure water leaves the roof instead of sitting on it. For small leaks on these roofs, see roof repair; for a full tear-off, the process matches our roof replacement standards with a membrane in place of shingles.

Keeping a flat roof working

Flat roofs reward a little attention. Twice a year, and after big storms, it’s worth checking that drains and scuppers are clear, that leaves and debris aren’t collecting at the low spots, and that seams and wall flashing haven’t lifted. On rowhouses and small commercial buildings around Albany and Troy, a clogged drain is one of the most common reasons a sound membrane starts leaking. Catching an open seam or a cracked boot early turns a ceiling repair into a small roof repair. If you’d rather not go up yourself, we can inspect the roof and send photos of what we find.

Choosing a membrane and a contractor

Roofing materials compared covers how EPDM and TPO differ from the pitched options, and how to choose a roofing contractor covers what to check before committing to a flat roof job.