The Truth About Flat Roofs
Let me be crystal clear: flat roofs aren't actually flat. If I build one perfectly, it has a slight slope to direct water to the scuppers and drains. But when things go wrong, the water "ponds." Ponding water is the arch-nemesis of any flat roof membrane.
TPO and EPDM Repairs
Most commercial buildings and modern home additions I work on use TPO (white plastic) or EPDM (black rubber). When we get a leak call, the culprit is usually a blown seam. The glue failed, or the heat-weld separated. Fixing it requires cleaning the area meticulously with special solvents and applying a specialized patch. Please don't try to use standard roofing tar on these membranes—it actually breaks them down chemically!