Not really flat
A "flat" roof is built with gentle slope so water heads for the canales or roof drains. Over the years, settling and patching can leave low spots where water sits after every storm. Those spots wear out first. A replacement is the time to fix the slope.
Three main systems
| System | Strengths | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|
| Sprayed foam + coating | Seamless, insulating, builds slope, handles odd shapes | Recoat every several years |
| TPO | White, reflective, welded seams | Check seams and edges |
| Modified bitumen | Thick, tough, good around parapets | Check laps; recoat if coated |
Details that make or break it
- Parapets wrapped and capped
- Canales sized, sloped and sealed
- Skylights, clerestories and equipment curbs flashed
- Low spots corrected
- Wet or failed old layers removed, not covered
Rainwater catchment
Many Placitas homes collect rainwater from their roofs into cisterns. If yours does, tell us — it affects which coating or membrane we recommend and how the canales are set.
See flat roof replacement in Placitas.
Questions homeowners ask
Which flat roof is best?
It depends on the roof's shape, slope and how you feel about recoating. See our metal-or-flat and foam guides.
Can you fix water that sits on my roof?
Yes — foam can be built up, and membranes can go over tapered insulation.
I collect rainwater. Does that matter?
Yes. Tell us so we choose products suited to catchment.