Flat and Low-Slope Roofing in South Salt Lake, Utah

Low-slope roofing is designed around waterproofing and drainage rather than shingle overlap, so water control depends on the membrane, seams, drains and transitions rather than shingles alone.

Median year built from the US Census American Community Survey; elevation from USGS.

Low-slope roofing should be checked when drains stop clearing water well, seams open or the membrane begins to blister because the roof can deteriorate before water reaches the occupied space below.

A severe storm can create both surface damage and drainage problems on a low-slope roof, so storm evaluation goes beyond looking for obvious tears in the membrane.

The membrane has to turn and seal around walls, vents, curbs and rooftop equipment, so flashing details are treated as part of the waterproof surface.

A flat roof can hold moisture below the membrane as well as water above it, so the inspection includes signs of wet insulation or roof-base damage.

We work with TPO, EPDM and modified bitumen rather than treating every flat roof as the same system; the membrane has to fit the roof rather than the other way around.

• TPO single-ply membrane: The waterproof layer in a TPO roof is a thermoplastic membrane; heat-welded seams connect the sheets across the roof surface.
• EPDM rubber membrane: The waterproof layer in an EPDM roof is a flexible rubber membrane; seams and transitions are finished with products made for the rubber membrane.
• Modified bitumen: The waterproof layer in a modified-bitumen roof is a reinforced asphalt-based membrane; the material often fits smaller roof sections and areas with several transitions.
• Existing membrane repairs: We look for open seams, punctures, flashing problems and other localized membrane damage; we determine whether the damage is localized enough for repair.

We plan low-slope roofing work from the drainage system outward; we inspect the materials below the membrane before planning the new work.

• Install the membrane: We install the roofing membrane using the attachment method specified for the system; we join the membrane sheets with the method designed for that product.
• Check the roof base and insulation: We evaluate the roof base and insulation for moisture or damage that should be corrected first; we identify materials that should not remain under the finished roof.
• Assess drainage first: We determine how water moves across the membrane and where it may collect; we identify low areas before choosing the membrane work.
• Build roof edges and transitions: We complete roof edges and vertical transitions before considering the membrane system finished; these details close paths where wind or water could get beneath the membrane.
• Prepare the roof surface: The surface below the membrane must be clean, stable and suitable for the system; the roofing plan accounts for the condition of the existing roof and insulation.
• Test and inspect seams: The completed roof receives a seam and detail inspection; the final seam review follows the requirements of the selected membrane.

Which of those apply depends on what the inspection finds. We would rather tell you the roof needs a repair than sell you a replacement it does not need yet.

For the full picture of the service, see Flat Roofing.

Low-slope roof work is planned differently from shingle replacement since a continuous membrane and working drainage system are essential to keeping water out.

1. Inspect the existing roofWe inspect the membrane and note where water remains after storms; we check for drainage or moisture concerns that need closer attention.
2. Confirm the roofing approachWe decide whether suitable existing roofing can stay in place, can support a new membrane or needs to be removed; we use the inspection to avoid removing repairable areas unnecessarily.
3. Correct problems below the membraneWe correct damaged materials beneath the membrane before new roofing goes over them; we finish roof preparation before the waterproof surface covers problem areas.
4. Install the low-slope roofing systemWe install the roofing system using the attachment method that fits the material; we use the joining method required for the selected membrane.
5. Check drainage and detailsWe check the roof perimeter, drainage outlets and membrane transitions before sign-off; we confirm the roof handles water as planned.

Courtland Roofing works on flat-roof membranes, drainage details and related repairs; we look below visible membrane damage when moisture or roof-base problems may be present.

Certified installer for GAF, CertainTeed and Owens Corning, family-owned, licensed & insured.

Courtland Roofing has worked on flat roofs in every part of South Salt Lake, Utah (84115, 84119 and 84106), and we would be glad to look at yours. We give homeowners across the rest of Salt Lake County the same service, including in West Jordan, Sandy and South Jordan.

If you do not see your ZIP code listed, call or text us. We can confirm whether we provide flat and low-slope roofing at your address in South Salt Lake.