Flat Roofing in Bismarck, ND With TPO and EPDM Membranes
Draxen Construction repairs and replaces flat roofing in Bismarck, ND, using TPO and EPDM membranes on low-slope buildings. Call (701) 504-9808 to have your roof checked.
Common Problems on Low-Slope and Flat Roofs
A flat roof is never perfectly flat. It is built with a slight slope toward drains or scuppers, and most problems start when water stops moving the way it should.
- Ponding water that sits for more than a couple of days after rain or snowmelt
- Seams that have opened, lifted or pulled apart at the laps
- Blisters, wrinkles or shrinking membrane pulling at the edges
- Punctures from foot traffic, dropped tools or hail
- Cracked flashing at walls, curbs and rooftop units
- Clogged drains and scuppers that back water up onto the roof
Our Process for Flat Roofing in Bismarck, ND
A flat roof hides its problems under the surface, so we look below the membrane before we recommend anything. Each job follows the same steps.
Inspect the Surface and Drains
We walk the whole roof, test the seams, check the flashing and clear the drains so we can see how water moves.
Check What Is Underneath
Where we suspect moisture, we open a small test area to look at the insulation and the deck below the membrane.
Recommend Repair or Replacement
You get a written scope with photos, explaining whether a repair will hold or the roof needs a new membrane.
Install and Seal
Our crew installs the membrane, seals every seam and flashing detail, and closes the roof each day so the building stays dry.
Final Inspection
We walk the finished roof with you, confirm the drains are clear and hand over photos of the completed work.
TPO Roofing for Bright, Heat-Welded Seams
TPO roofing is a single-ply membrane, usually white, that is rolled out in wide sheets across the roof. Its seams are joined with hot air, which melts the two edges into one solid piece instead of relying on glue or tape.
That welded seam is the main reason building owners choose TPO. The white surface also reflects summer sun, which can help keep the space below cooler on a hot July afternoon. TPO works well on offices, retail buildings and other roofs with rooftop units, because the membrane can be welded tightly around curbs and penetrations.
A welded seam depends on the right heat, speed and overlap. A seam that did not fully fuse can look fine and open up a year later, so finished seams should be checked along their full length before a roof is called done.
EPDM Roofing for Cold Weather Flexibility
EPDM roofing is a synthetic rubber membrane, usually black, that has been used on low-slope roofs for decades. It stays flexible in deep cold, which matters on a roof that swings from summer heat to a hard North Dakota winter.
EPDM comes in large sheets, so a roof can have fewer seams. Its seams are joined with adhesive and seam tape rather than heat. It is a common choice for simple roofs with few penetrations, and it is easy to patch when a small puncture shows up.
Seam preparation decides how long an EPDM roof stays watertight. Each lap has to be clean and primed before the tape goes on, because dust or moisture trapped in a seam weakens the bond over time.
Flat Roof Repair Before a Small Leak Spreads
Flat roof repair works best when you catch a problem early. Water that gets under a membrane spreads sideways through the insulation, so a small leak can soak a large area before it shows on the ceiling.
We repair open seams, patch punctures, replace cracked flashing and clear drains. When a leak keeps returning or the insulation below is wet across a wide area, a patch will not last, and we will tell you so with the photos to back it up.
Flat Roof Replacement and New Insulation
A flat roof replacement removes the worn membrane and any wet insulation, then installs a new system from the deck up. It is the right time to fix the slope toward the drains, so water stops pooling in the same low spots.
We plan the work in sections and schedule around your hours, deliveries and staff, so the building stays open while we work. For roofs on business buildings beyond the membrane itself, see our commercial roofing in Bismarck page, and for small leaks on other roof types, see roof repair in Bismarck.
What Affects the Price of a Flat Roof
We price each project after we have seen the roof, because conditions under the membrane change the work. These are the main factors.
- The size of the roof and how easy it is to reach and stage
- Whether you choose a TPO or EPDM membrane
- How much wet insulation or damaged decking has to come out
- The number of drains, curbs, vents and rooftop units to flash
- Parapet walls, edge metal and any slope corrections
Why Building Owners Choose Draxen Construction for Low-Slope Roofs
Draxen Construction brings more than a decade in the exterior construction industry to flat roofing in Bismarck, ND and the towns around it. Roofing is our favorite work and our strongest, and the owner stays involved from the first inspection to the final walkthrough.
We explain both membranes plainly and recommend the one that fits your building, not the one that is easiest for us. Our office is at 1907 Morrison Ave in Bismarck, open Monday to Saturday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, and you can compare every roof type on our roofing services page.
Low-Slope Membrane Roofs Beyond the Capital
Low-slope roofs sit on shops, offices, schools, churches and storefronts in every town around Bismarck. We bring the same flat roofing in Bismarck, ND building owners rely on across the Missouri River and out into the surrounding towns.
We repair and replace membrane roofs in Mandan and New Salem in Morton County. We also work in the suburb of Lincoln and in Wilton, which straddles Burleigh and McLean Counties.
Questions About TPO, EPDM and Flat Roofs
Which is better for my building, TPO or EPDM?
Neither is better for every roof. TPO has heat-welded seams and a white surface that reflects summer sun, which suits roofs with many rooftop units. EPDM is a rubber membrane that stays flexible in deep cold and comes in large sheets with fewer seams. We look at your roof, its penetrations and how you use the building before recommending one.
Is standing water on a flat roof a problem?
Water that drains within a day or two after rain or snowmelt is normal. Water that sits longer than that is called ponding, and it wears the membrane faster, adds weight and finds its way into any weak seam. Ponding usually points to clogged drains, sagging decking or poor slope, which we can correct during a repair or replacement.
Can a flat roof be repaired in winter?
Many flat roof repairs can be made in cold weather, especially temporary patches that stop an active leak. Some adhesives and seam work need warmer temperatures to bond properly, so a lasting repair may wait for a mild day or for spring. We tell you which kind of repair your roof needs and when it can be done properly.
How do I know if the insulation under my flat roof is wet?
Signs of wet insulation include soft spots underfoot, a membrane that feels spongy, recurring leaks in the same area and rising heating bills. The surest way to know is to open a small test area and look at the insulation directly. We do that during our inspection wherever we suspect moisture, then patch the test area so it stays watertight.
Keep Water Moving Off Your Flat Roof
Whether it is one open seam or a roof that has reached the end of its life, we will tell you what it needs. Call or send the form to set up an inspection.