The drip is back over the stockroom, or a tenant just sent you a photo of a ceiling tile with a brown ring on it. On a flat business roof, one small opening can put inventory, equipment and a day’s work at risk. You need commercial roofing in Republic, MO from someone who will walk the whole roof, find out what’s really wrong and put it in writing.
That’s harder than it sounds. Commercial roofs are expensive, most of the trouble is hidden under the membrane, and you’re the one who has to explain the bill to a partner, a landlord or a board. You want a contractor who gives you the facts and lets you make the call.
APC Roofing repairs, re-roofs and installs new commercial roofs, including TPO, EPDM, built-up and metal systems. We’re GAF Certified, licensed and insured, and we’ve been in business since 2017. Your inspection is free. Call 913-398-5020 to set one up.
Commercial roofing in Republic, MO: the roof types we see
Most business buildings in the area have one of these. Knowing which one you have makes every conversation with a roofer easier.
TPO. A white single-ply membrane with seams welded together by hot air. It reflects a lot of summer sun, which helps keep the space below cooler. Our TPO roofing in Republic page goes into the details.
EPDM. A black synthetic rubber membrane that stays flexible in cold weather. Its seams are joined with tape or adhesive rather than welded, so seam condition is the first thing to check as it ages.
Built-up roofing (BUR). Layers of asphalt and roofing felt, usually topped with gravel or a mineral cap sheet. It’s heavy and tough and common on older buildings. When it starts to fail, the surface cracks and blisters and the gravel thins out.
Metal. Common on shops, warehouses and agricultural buildings. The panels themselves often hold up well. The trouble spots are the fasteners, the rubber washers under them and the seams where panels overlap.
What southwest Missouri weather does to a low-slope roof
A commercial roof in Republic gets a little of everything over a year.
Spring and early summer storms bring hail. On a membrane roof, hail can puncture the sheet, bruise the insulation board underneath or crack an older, brittle membrane. It also dents metal panels and the fins on rooftop HVAC units. Some of that damage leaks right away. Some of it doesn’t show up until the next freeze.
Wind from the same storms pulls hardest at the corners and edges of a flat roof. Loose edge metal or a perimeter seam that’s lifting is often where a larger failure starts.
Winter adds freeze-thaw. Water that gets into a seam or a crack freezes, expands and opens the gap a little more each cycle. Ice and snow can block drains and scuppers, so meltwater backs up and sits on the roof. Summer heat and sun, meanwhile, slowly dry out and age the membrane.
Ponding ties it together. A common rule of thumb in the industry is that water still standing 48 hours after rain is a drainage problem worth fixing, because it speeds up wear and adds weight.
Repair, re-roof or a new roof?
This is the decision most building owners are trying to make, and it should come from evidence, not age alone.
Repair usually makes sense when the problem is limited to a few seams, a flashing detail or a damaged area, and the insulation underneath is dry. Our commercial roof repair in Republic page covers where leaks usually start and how they get traced.
A recover, where a new membrane goes over the existing roof, can work when the old roof is sound and dry. Building codes limit how many roof layers a building can carry, so it’s only an option once.
A full tear-off and new installation is the answer when insulation is wet across large areas, seams are failing all over or the roof has already been recovered. It’s also the chance to fix drainage for good. See commercial roofing installation in Republic for what that involves.
Wet insulation is the deciding factor more often than anything else. It can’t be seen from the surface, and covering it up traps the problem. A good inspection checks for it before anyone recommends a recover.
Hail damage and your insurance claim
If a storm damaged your building’s roof, you or your company files the claim with your insurer and pays the deductible on the policy. We inspect the roof, photograph and document the damage, provide an estimate and work with your adjuster so the damage is clearly accounted for. Be wary of anyone who offers to waive or cover your deductible.
How it works
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free estimate online. Let us know who manages the building and how to get on the roof.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll get photos, a plain-language summary of what we found and a written estimate for the option that fits your building.
- The roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up. Work is planned around the weather and your operations, and the site is cleaned up when the crew leaves.
A small leak on a commercial roof is easy to put off until the next budget cycle. Meanwhile, water can spread through the insulation well beyond the spot where it drips, and a repair turns into a larger section of roof.
Commercial roofing questions
Do you work on smaller commercial buildings?
Yes. Shops, offices and small warehouses are a good fit, and so are the low-slope sections on homes.
Can a new roof go over my old one?
Sometimes. If the existing roof is dry and sound and there’s only one roof on the building now, a recover may be an option. If the insulation is wet or there’s already a second layer, it needs to come off.
How can I tell if hail damaged my flat roof?
Dents in metal edge trim, vents or HVAC fins are a good clue that the membrane took hits too. Bruising and cracks in the membrane itself are hard to spot without walking the roof, so an inspection after a major storm is worth it.
Can the work happen while my business is open?
In most cases, yes. Noise, deliveries, roof access and fumes near air intakes are all things to plan with your roofer before work starts.
Get your commercial roof looked at
Call 913-398-5020 or schedule your free inspection online. You’ll know exactly what’s happening on your roof, what it will take to fix and what it costs before any work begins. Then you can get back to running your business under a roof you don’t have to think about.
