The Los Angeles flat roof
Mid-century houses, apartment buildings and most commercial buildings in Los Angeles have flat or low-slope roofs. They don’t shed water the way a pitched roof does, so drains, seams and low spots do all the work.
A flat roof in fair condition can often be restored with a liquid membrane instead of being torn off. One that’s saturated or has failed seams needs replacing.
Signs of a flat roof problem
- Water still standing two days after rain
- Blisters, cracks or open seams in the surface
- Leaks near drains, scuppers or roof-mounted equipment
- Stains on the top-floor ceiling
- A soft or spongy feel underfoot
What flat roof work includes
- Leak repair at seams, drains and penetrations
- Liquid membrane coating where the roof is sound
- Full flat roof replacement
- Cool roof requirements for low-slope roofs explained
- A written estimate first