Flat Roof Problems
Flat roofs can develop problems for all sorts of reasons. Some are obvious, while others are easily missed until they start causing bigger issues.
This section of Flat Roofing Insights looks at real problems found on commercial flat roofs, from open seams and membrane tenting to blocked drains, ponding water, failed repairs and damaged flashings.
The aim is simple: to show you what to look for, why it happens, and when it may need attention, using real roof examples and straightforward explanations.
Whether you manage a building, own a commercial property, or simply want to understand your roof a little better, these guides will help you recognise some of the most common problems found during roof inspections.
What to Look For
Browse the examples below to see common flat roof problems, what may be causing them, and what can be done about them.
SBS Roof Blisters: Why They Happen and Does the Roof Need Replacing?
Blisters are one of those flat roofing problems that can look far worse than they actually are. I recently inspected a seven-year-old two-ply SBS roof in Surrey, BC, where blistering was visible across several areas of the main roof as well as at some of the parapet...
Wrong Products Used for EPDM Roof Repairs: When a Quick Fix Becomes the Problem
EPDM is a very repairable roofing system when the right materials and preparation are used. Unfortunately, one of the things I regularly come across when inspecting older EPDM roofs is previous repair work carried out using products that were never really suitable for...
EPDM Roof Tenting: What Causes It and Does It Mean You Need a New Roof?
If you've ever walked across an older EPDM roof, you may have seen the membrane pulling tight around parapet walls, corners, rooflights or other upstands. This is commonly referred to as tenting. The photos here are a good example. The membrane is no longer sitting...