Flat & Row-Home Roof Repair
Philadelphia is a city of row homes — and row homes mean flat, low-slope roofs. Union Roofing repairs and replaces the EPDM rubber, TPO and modified-bitumen roofs that top the city’s homes, fixing ponding, splits and leaks before they reach the plaster below.
Flat roofs work hard. With little slope to shed water, they take the full brunt of Philadelphia’s rain, snow and freeze-thaw cycles — and unlike a pitched roof, standing water has nowhere to go but through any weakness it can find. Blistered membrane, split seams, failed flashing and clogged drains are the usual suspects behind a leaking row-home ceiling. Union Roofing knows these roofs inside out. We repair what can be repaired, recoat what’s worth saving, and replace what’s past its life — always giving you the honest option, not the most expensive one.
Flat Roof Problems We Fix
These are the failures behind most leaking row-home and flat roofs in the city.
Cracks and open seams in aging rubber or mod-bit membrane that let water straight into the top floor.
Standing water that won’t drain accelerates membrane failure — we correct drainage and reseal.
Trapped moisture and heat lift the membrane; left alone, blisters burst and leak.
Where the flat roof meets walls, parapets, vents and the neighboring row home — a top leak source.
Faded silver-coat or aluminum coating no longer protecting the membrane from UV and heat.
Blocked internal drains and scuppers that back water up onto the roof.
Repair, Recoat, or Replace?
Repair — for localized leaks, splits and flashing failures on an otherwise sound roof.
Recoat — a fresh reflective coating or silver-coat extends a healthy membrane’s life and cuts summer heat, for far less than a replacement.
Replace — when the membrane is at end of life across the roof, a new EPDM or TPO system is the smart long-term move.
Honest call — we tell you which one your roof actually needs, and why.
Warrantied — every option is backed in writing.
The Right System for a Philadelphia Flat Roof
EPDM Rubber: Tough, proven membrane that handles the city’s freeze-thaw winters — a workhorse on row-home roofs.
TPO: Reflective, energy-efficient single-ply that keeps top floors cooler in summer.
Modified Bitumen: Multi-ply asphalt for durability where a roof sees foot traffic or heavy exposure.
Reflective Coatings: A cost-effective way to add years and cut cooling costs on a sound roof.
Serving Philadelphia & Surrounding Areas
12260 Townsend Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154
Phone: 215-464-6425
Union Roofing repairs flat and row-home roofs across the city and the surrounding Pennsylvania counties.
Flat Roof Repair FAQs
It depends on the material and maintenance. A well-installed EPDM or TPO membrane commonly lasts 20+ years, while older built-up and mod-bit roofs vary. Regular inspection and recoating can meaningfully extend a flat roof’s life in Philadelphia’s climate.
Most flat-roof leaks — splits, seam failures, flashing issues, ponding — can be repaired if the membrane is otherwise sound. If it’s failing across the whole roof, replacement is the better value. We give you the honest call after inspecting it.
Silver-coat (aluminum coating) is a reflective layer applied over a flat roof to protect the membrane from UV and heat and reduce cooling costs. If your existing coating is faded or worn but the membrane is sound, a recoat is often a smart, affordable step.
Yes — flat row-home roofs are our specialty. We handle the flashing and details where your roof meets the neighboring homes and party walls, which are common leak points.
Flat Roof Leaking? Let’s Take a Look.
Book a free Philadelphia flat-roof inspection. We’ll find the problem and give you an honest repair-recoat-replace recommendation.