TPO Flat Roofs: When a Patch Is Not Enough
Flat roofs fail differently from shingle roofs. Water does not run off — it sits, it finds a seam, and it gets under the membrane. By the time you see a stain inside, the damage underneath can be much bigger than the patch you were quoted.
Why patches over bad decking fail
I have seen it over and over: a flat roof leaks at a corner, someone patches the membrane, and it leaks again next rain. The reason is usually underneath. On a recent Wimberley job, the TPO roof had failed at one corner, and when we tore it off, the decking there was cracked, split and rotted clean through from water. No patch on top of that decking would ever have held — the wood itself was gone. You can see that job step by step on the RAM Roofing home page.
What a proper TPO tear-out and re-roof involves
- Tear-out down to the deck. The old system comes off completely so nothing rotten stays hidden.
- Deck inspection and replacement. Any rotted or damaged panels are cut out and replaced with new panels set flush, so the new roof sits on solid wood.
- Fascia and perimeter wood. Failed fascia and perimeter lumber gets replaced at the same time, so the roof edge is solid.
- New heat-welded TPO membrane. The new membrane is heat-welded at the seams and sealed at every edge and corner. Welded seams are what make TPO last — a properly installed TPO roof typically lasts 20 to 30 years.
- Photo documentation. Every layer is photographed as the job goes, so you can see what was under your roof and what went back on.
When to call
If your flat roof ponds water, leaks at a corner, or has been patched more than once, it is worth an inspection before the next big rain. I will get on the roof, photograph what I find, and tell you straight whether a repair will hold or whether it is tear-out time. Call Roy at (210) 800-4875 — free inspection, San Antonio area.
Related notes: 7 hail damage signs homeowners miss · Should I repair my roof or replace it?
Free on-roof inspection with photos of what I find — and a straight answer on repair or replace.
Call Roy Marin at (210) 800-4875