Flat Roof Inspection Guide: Seams, Ponding, and Drainage
Flat roofs fail at seams and drains, not shingles. What a proper flat roof inspection evaluates — and the ponding map that matters.
Flat and low-slope roofs play by different rules: water does not run off, it ponds — and ponding water patiently exploits every weak seam and clogged drain. Whether it is a Edmonds commercial building or a residential addition, here is what a proper flat roof inspection covers.
Seams and membrane integrity
T
h
e
i
n
s
p
e
c
t
o
r
w
a
l
k
s
t
h
e
f
u
l
l
m
e
m
b
r
a
n
e
c
h
e
c
k
i
n
g
s
e
a
m
s
f
o
r
s
e
p
a
r
a
t
i
o
n
a
n
d
f
i
s
h
m
o
u
t
h
s
,
t
h
e
f
i
e
l
d
f
o
r
b
l
i
s
t
e
r
s
,
p
u
n
c
t
u
r
e
s
,
a
n
d
a
l
l
i
g
a
t
o
r
i
n
g
,
a
n
d
p
r
e
v
i
o
u
s
p
a
t
c
h
e
s
f
o
r
q
u
a
l
i
t
y
.
O
n
T
P
O
a
n
d
E
P
D
M
,
s
e
a
m
a
d
h
e
s
i
v
e
f
a
i
l
u
r
e
i
s
t
h
e
n
u
m
b
e
r
-
o
n
e
d
e
f
e
c
t
;
o
n
b
u
i
l
t
-
u
p
r
o
o
f
s
,
i
t
i
s
s
u
r
f
a
c
e
e
r
o
s
i
o
n
a
n
d
b
l
i
s
t
e
r
i
n
g
.
Ponding water and drainage
E
v
e
r
y
p
o
n
d
i
n
g
a
r
e
a
i
s
m
a
p
p
e
d
—
l
o
c
a
t
i
o
n
,
a
p
p
r
o
x
i
m
a
t
e
d
e
p
t
h
,
a
n
d
h
o
w
l
o
n
g
w
a
t
e
r
s
t
a
n
d
s
a
f
t
e
r
r
a
i
n
.
W
a
t
e
r
s
t
a
n
d
i
n
g
b
e
y
o
n
d
4
8
h
o
u
r
s
a
c
c
e
l
e
r
a
t
e
s
m
e
m
b
r
a
n
e
b
r
e
a
k
d
o
w
n
a
n
d
a
d
d
s
s
t
r
u
c
t
u
r
a
l
l
o
a
d
.
D
r
a
i
n
s
,
s
c
u
p
p
e
r
s
,
a
n
d
g
u
t
t
e
r
s
a
r
e
c
h
e
c
k
e
d
f
o
r
b
l
o
c
k
a
g
e
s
a
n
d
p
r
o
p
e
r
f
l
o
w
,
b
e
c
a
u
s
e
t
h
e
b
e
s
t
m
e
m
b
r
a
n
e
i
n
t
h
e
w
o
r
l
d
f
a
i
l
s
i
f
w
a
t
e
r
c
a
n
n
o
t
l
e
a
v
e
.
Flashing, penetrations, and the forecast
P
a
r
a
p
e
t
s
,
e
q
u
i
p
m
e
n
t
c
u
r
b
s
,
p
i
p
e
s
,
a
n
d
s
k
y
l
i
g
h
t
s
g
e
t
c
l
o
s
e
a
t
t
e
n
t
i
o
n
—
m
o
s
t
f
l
a
t
-
r
o
o
f
l
e
a
k
s
s
t
a
r
t
a
t
a
p
e
n
e
t
r
a
t
i
o
n
,
n
o
t
i
n
t
h
e
f
i
e
l
d
.
T
h
e
r
e
p
o
r
t
c
l
o
s
e
s
w
i
t
h
a
r
e
p
a
i
r
-
v
s
-
r
e
p
l
a
c
e
o
u
t
l
o
o
k
:
w
h
i
c
h
d
e
f
i
c
i
e
n
c
i
e
s
a
r
e
m
a
i
n
t
e
n
a
n
c
e
,
w
h
i
c
h
n
e
e
d
p
r
o
m
p
t
r
e
p
a
i
r
,
a
n
d
w
h
e
n
r
e
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
e
n
t
e
r
s
t
h
e
f
i
n
a
n
c
i
a
l
p
i
c
t
u
r
e
.
Related Inspection Services
Serving These Edmonds Areas
- Roof inspection in Downtown Edmonds
- Roof inspection in Edmonds Bowl
- Roof inspection in Firdale Village
Keep Reading
- Moss and Debris Roof Inspection: Edmonds's Wet-Climate Roof Threat
- Roof Inspection Cost Guide: What Homeowners Pay and Why
Common Questions
How often do flat roofs need inspection?
Twice a year plus after major storms — flat systems reveal neglect faster than pitched roofs.
Is some ponding normal?
Minor, brief ponding is common; water standing more than 48 hours after rain is a deficiency worth addressing.
Can a flat roof be coated instead of replaced?
Sometimes — coatings can extend the life of a sound membrane. The inspection determines whether your roof is a coating candidate or past that point.
Not Sure What Your Roof Needs? Start With an Inspection.
Call Roof Inspection Crew at (888) 974-0663 — your local licensed expert in Edmonds, WA. Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sat: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Sun: Closed. Our call representatives are available 24/7 for emergencies.