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Flat & low-slope roofs, explained

Flat roof leaking, ponding, or due for a coating?

Straight answers, no sales pitch: what's actually wrong, what it costs, whether it's a DIY job — and when it isn't, licensed & insured roofers who'll quote it.

  • Plain-English fixes by roof type — mod bit, TPO, EPDM, built-up and more
  • Honest cost ranges, updated quarterly
  • Roofers' license and insurance checked before they're badged

Get free quotes from licensed roofers

Tell us the job once — we'll connect you with licensed & insured roofers near you. No measuring needed.

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What's going on with your roof?

Pick everything that applies.

Three ways to deal with it

Coating Matcher

Silicone, acrylic, or neither?

The wrong coating can peel off in a season — or void the roof warranty you have. Tell us your membrane, how water sits on it and your climate, and we'll show which coating chemistries fit, what prep they need and what to skip.

  • What's on the roof now?
  • Does water pond after rain?
  • Hot sun, freeze-thaw, or both?
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Latest guides

Do it right — or know what to ask a roofer

All guides
Storms & hurricanes Flat roof hurricane prep and storm damage: before, during and after Before hurricane season, clear every drain, fix loose edges and flashing, and photograph the whole roof so you can prove its pre-storm condition. Maintenance & ponding Flat roof maintenance checklist: what to check each season Inspect a flat roof at least twice a year, in spring and fall, and after every major storm. Planning, permits & hiring Flat roof types explained: what's on your roof and what it costs Most flat and low-slope roofs are one of eight systems: modified bitumen, built-up (tar and gravel), rolled roofing, TPO, PVC, EPDM, spray foam or low-slope metal. Planning, permits & hiring Florida flat roof permits and rules: what homeowners should know In Florida, reroofing and most roof repairs need a building permit, pulled by a licensed roofing contractor or by a qualifying owner-builder. Coatings How to coat a flat roof Coating a flat roof is mostly prep: confirm the roof is dry inside, wash it, make repairs, reinforce seams and flashings with fabric, and prime where the label says, then roll or spray at the manufacturer's spread rate and check thickness with a wet-mil gauge. Leaks & repairs How to find a leak in a flat roof On a flat roof the drip inside is often nowhere near the hole, because water runs along the deck and through insulation before it shows.

Videos

Watch it done, with our notes

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Supplies, sorted by how serious you are

Patch kits and sealants for a one-off leak, full coating systems for DIYers, and bulk products and safety gear for pros — every pick lists chemistry, coverage and the roofs it's for. 35 picks so far.

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In Palm Beach, Broward or Miami-Dade?

Our sister site is dedicated to South Florida flat roofs and the licensed roofers who work there.

Visit SouthFloridaFlatRoofs.com

Plain language

We're a guide, not a roofer

TheFlatRoofPro.com is an independent guide and referral service. We don't sell roofing work, we don't send crews and we never will. We write how-tos, compare products and keep cost ranges honest — and when you want a pro, we pass your request to licensed, insured roofing contractors who quote you directly.

Roofing work for hire generally requires a licensed roofing contractor. Rules differ by state, so check your state's contractor licensing board before you hire — and before you take on a big job yourself.

How we work and how we make money

Quick answers

Are you a roofing company?

No. TheFlatRoofPro.com is an independent guide and referral service. We don't perform roofing work. When you request quotes, we pass your request to licensed, insured roofing contractors who quote and do the work directly with you.

Can I coat or patch my own flat roof?

Many owners patch small leaks and some coat their own roofs. Work done for hire generally requires a licensed roofing contractor, and rules for owners vary by state and city — check with your local building department and your state licensing board before a big job, and always work safely at height.

How do you vet roofers?

Before a roofer earns a badge we check their roofing contractor license with the state or local authority that issues it, and confirm a current general liability insurance certificate with the carrier. Verified roofers are re-checked every 12 months. Listings that haven’t been checked are marked "Not yet verified".

Are quotes really free?

Yes. Requesting quotes is free and there is no obligation to hire. Roofers may pay us a referral fee; it never affects our guides, cost ranges or product picks.

Ready to get it fixed?

A few taps, no measuring — we'll connect you with licensed & insured roofers near you.

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