Flat and low-slope roofing for homes
Plenty of houses in New Jersey and Northeast Pennsylvania have a section of roof that's nearly flat. It might be a front porch, a rear addition, a shed dormer, or a kitchen bump-out tied into the main roof. Those sections often leak first. Shingles or old rolled roofing were never the right material for that little pitch.
We install EPDM rubber roofing on these residential low-slope areas. It's a single, continuous membrane that keeps water out where shingles can't.
What is EPDM?
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a synthetic rubber roofing membrane. It has been used on low-slope roofs for decades. Homeowners and roofers choose it because it:
- Comes in large sheets, so a small porch or addition can often be covered with few or no seams
- Stays flexible in the cold, so it copes with freeze-thaw cycles without cracking
- Handles sun and heat well
- Is easy to repair if it's punctured
Signs your low-slope roof needs attention
- Water stains on the porch ceiling or in the room below an addition
- Puddles that sit on the roof for days after rain
- Cracked, blistered or alligatored rolled roofing or old coatings
- Seams or edges that are lifting or peeling back
- Soft spots when you press on the roof surface
- Leaks where the flat section meets the wall or the main roof
Where a low-slope section meets a wall or a steeper shingled roof is a classic leak point. We pay close attention to that transition.
How we install an EPDM roof
1. Inspection and estimate
We look at the existing roof, the decking and how water drains off the section. Then we give you a free written estimate.
2. Tear-off and deck repair
We remove the failed roofing down to the deck, then replace soft or rotted wood so the new membrane has a solid, smooth base.
3. Membrane installation
We install the EPDM to the manufacturer's instructions. The membrane goes on smooth and fully sealed, with careful detailing at the edges and any penetrations.
4. Flashing and tie-ins
Where the flat roof meets a wall or the main roof, we flash it properly and tie it into the surrounding roofing. Those spots are where most low-slope leaks begin.
5. Drainage and cleanup
We make sure water runs off to the edge, gutter or drain instead of pooling, then clean up and walk the job with you.
Doing it with a full roof replacement
If your main roof is due for replacement, it's a good time to redo the flat sections as well. We can install architectural asphalt shingles on the pitched roof and EPDM on the low-slope areas in one project, with clean tie-ins between the two. See our roof replacement page, or get a ballpark number from our Instant Roof Quote.
Just need a leak fixed? Our roof repair team handles low-slope leaks too. Clean gutters keep a flat section draining the way it should.
Caring for a flat roof
Low-slope roofs need a little more attention than pitched ones, because water moves more slowly across them. A few habits go a long way:
- Keep it clear. Leaves, branches and debris hold moisture and block drainage. Sweep or blow them off a couple of times a year.
- Watch for ponding. Water that sits for days after a storm means a drainage problem that should be fixed.
- Limit foot traffic. If you need to walk on it, step carefully and avoid sharp objects.
- Check the edges and seams after big storms and after winter.
- Keep gutters and drains flowing so water has somewhere to go.
Catching a small puncture or a lifting edge early is a quick fix. Ignoring it lets water get into the deck below.
EPDM compared with other low-slope options
You'll hear about a few different materials for flat and low-slope roofs. Here's how they compare in general terms:
- Rolled roofing is an asphalt product laid in overlapping strips. It's inexpensive, but it has many seams and tends to crack and leak sooner on very low slopes.
- Modified bitumen is an asphalt-based membrane installed in layers. It's common on low-slope roofs, but seams and laps still need to be done carefully.
- TPO and PVC are single-ply plastic membranes, often seen on commercial buildings.
- EPDM is a rubber membrane that comes in large sheets, stays flexible in the cold and is simple to repair.
For the porches, additions and dormers on the homes we work on, EPDM is the system we install. It's a proven, low-maintenance fit for residential low-slope roofing.
Why Allabaugh Construction
- 20+ years of experience, led by owner Jared Allabaugh
- Licensed in both states: NJ HIC #13VH09734600 and PA HIC #PA162561
- GAF-certified roofing contractor
- 5.0 stars from 233 Google reviews
- Free estimates, financing available
Free estimates, straight answers
Every job starts with a visit to your home. We look at the actual conditions and explain what we see in plain language, with photos. Then you get a free, written estimate with the scope and price spelled out. Nothing is done without your approval. If a flat roof isn't what your home needs, or a smaller fix will do, we'll tell you. We'd rather earn your trust on a small job than oversell you on a big one. Financing is available on larger projects.
Where we install flat roofing
We install EPDM on homes across Mercer County, NJ, including Trenton, Hamilton and Lawrence Township. In Pennsylvania, we cover Luzerne County and Lackawanna County, including Wilkes-Barre, Plymouth and Scranton.
In New Jersey, call (609) 477-0487. In Pennsylvania, call (814) 330-4897.
