A tenant emails a photo of a ceiling tile with a brown stain. Water is pooling near the drain again after the last storm. Or the insurance company wants to know the condition of the roof before renewal, and you’re not sure what to tell them. If you own or manage a building and need commercial roofing in Belcaro, your problem is bigger than the roof. It’s the business, the people inside and the budget you didn’t plan to spend.
You shouldn’t have to guess whether you’re looking at a patch or a full re-roof. You need someone to inspect the whole roof, explain what’s failing and why, and give you options you can plan around.
APC Roofing is a GAF Certified contractor, licensed and insured, and in business since 2017. We repair, re-roof and install commercial roofs, including TPO, EPDM, built-up and other membrane systems. The inspection is free.
What Denver weather does to a commercial roof
Most commercial buildings have low-slope roofs, and Colorado weather is tough on them in ways a pitched house roof doesn’t face.
Hail punctures and bruises membranes. On a flat roof, hail hits the surface straight on. It can crack aging membranes, split seams and dent metal flashing and rooftop equipment housings. Some damage is obvious. Some only shows up later as a slow leak.
Snow sits. A pitched roof sheds snow. A flat roof holds it, and wind drifts it against parapet walls and rooftop units, where the weight concentrates. Meltwater then needs open drains to get off the roof.
Freeze-thaw opens small gaps. Water that gets into a seam or a crack in a parapet cap freezes overnight and pries it wider. A minor problem in November can be a leak by March.
Strong sun at altitude. Denver’s UV ages roof membranes, sealants and caulked joints faster than lower-elevation sun does. Dark membranes also get hot, which adds stress to seams.
Where commercial roofs usually leak
Leaks on a commercial roof rarely start in the middle of a clean, open field of membrane. They start where something interrupts it:
- Drains and scuppers that clog, so water ponds and finds a weak seam
- Curbs around HVAC units, exhaust fans and roof hatches
- Pipe penetrations and conduit that other trades added after the roof went on
- Parapet walls, copings and the metal edge at the roof perimeter
- Seams between membrane sheets
That’s also why the stain inside doesn’t always sit under the source. Water can travel a long way across a deck before it finds a way down. Finding the real entry point takes a methodical inspection, not a guess.
Commercial roofing systems we work with
TPO is a white or light-colored single-ply membrane with heat-welded seams. It reflects sunlight and is a common choice for new and replacement low-slope roofs.
EPDM is a black rubber membrane that stays flexible in cold weather. Its seams are taped or glued rather than welded.
Built-up and modified bitumen roofs use multiple layers of asphalt-based material. They’re tough and common on older buildings.
Metal roofs show up on warehouses and some newer buildings. Leaks usually come from loose fasteners, worn washers and panel laps rather than the panels themselves.
The right system depends on your building, how much foot traffic the roof gets, the equipment on top and how long you plan to own the property. You’ll get a recommendation with the reasoning behind it.
Repair or replace your commercial roof?
A few failed seams, a torn flashing at a curb or a leak at one drain is usually a repair. That can buy real years on a roof that’s otherwise sound.
When the insulation under the membrane is wet across large areas, seams are failing all over and leaks keep moving, patching becomes money spent on a roof that’s done. At that point, replacement is the better plan, and it can often be phased or scheduled around your operations.
Wet insulation matters more than most owners realize. It adds weight, stops insulating and can rot the deck. Covering over it traps the problem. That’s why an honest inspection checks for moisture under the surface, not only what’s visible on top.
Keeping your business running during the work
A commercial roof job affects tenants, customers and deliveries. Before work starts, you should know which areas of the roof will be open on which days, where materials and equipment will be staged, and how noise and access will be handled. A clear plan avoids surprises for everyone in the building. Ask any contractor you’re considering to walk you through it.
Hail damage and insurance on a commercial building
If hail or wind damaged your roof, you file the claim with your insurance company and pay your own deductible. We document the damage with photos, provide a written estimate and work with your adjuster. Be wary of anyone who offers to waive or cover your deductible.
How it works
- Book your free inspection. Call 720-902-6940 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. We inspect the whole roof, including drains, curbs, edges and seams, and give you photos with a written summary and options. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
- The roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up.
For more on low-slope systems for smaller buildings and homes, see flat roofing in Belcaro. For commercial work across the city, visit our Denver commercial roofing page.
Commercial roofing questions from Belcaro property owners
How often should a commercial roof be inspected?
Many owners have the roof checked once a year and again after any major hail or wind event. Catching a failed seam early keeps it a small repair.
Can you find a leak that keeps coming back?
Recurring leaks usually come from a penetration, curb, drain or edge detail. A methodical inspection from the roof down to the stain is the way to find it.
Is TPO or EPDM better in Denver?
Both work here. TPO reflects more sun. EPDM stays very flexible in cold. The better choice depends on your building and how the roof is used.
Can the roof be replaced in sections?
Often, yes, depending on the building and the system. We’ll lay out the options when we give you the estimate.
Plan your next step with confidence
A small commercial roof leak left through a winter of snow and freeze-thaw can soak insulation across a much larger area, and the repair bill grows with it.
Call 720-902-6940 to book your free inspection. The goal is a dry building, tenants who stop emailing you about ceiling stains and a roof plan you can budget for. You can also see everything we do in the neighborhood on our Belcaro roofing page.
