Open now — 24/7 storm response in Southern Illinois Carbondale & Southern Illinois (618) 549-0800
John Beal Roofing rectangle logo in yellow and black Roofing CarbondaleBy John Beal Roofing

The short answer

Flat and low-slope roofing in Carbondale covers the porch, addition or commercial section that shingles were never designed for. These roofs need a membrane system, properly terminated flashings, and drainage that actually moves water off the roof.

Almost every flat-roof leak we are called to has one of three causes: shingles installed on a slope too low to shed water, a membrane whose seams or terminations have failed, or drainage that ponds water in one corner until it finds a way in.

Low-slope roofs are unforgiving in a different way than steep roofs. Water sits instead of running, so every seam, edge and penetration is a potential entry rather than a place water passes over. The detail work at parapets, curbs, scuppers and drains is the whole job.

Around Carbondale this comes up constantly on additions, sunrooms, flat porch roofs on older houses, and small commercial buildings downtown and along the highway corridors.

When to call us

  • Standing water on the roof a day after rain
  • Leaks over an addition, porch or sunroom
  • Blisters, splits or open seams in an existing membrane
  • Shingles installed on a slope shallower than they should be
  • Ponding at a drain, scupper or interior corner
  • A commercial section leaking into a tenant space

Free Flat and Low-Slope Roofing estimate

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Free inspection, free written estimate, no obligation. Roof leaking right now? Call (618) 549-0800 — a person answers 24/7.

What the work actually involves

Here is how a flat and low-slope roofing job runs in Carbondale, start to finish.

Slope and drainage survey

Where water goes now, and where it needs to go.

System selection

Membrane appropriate to the geometry, traffic and exposure.

Tear-off and substrate repair

Wet insulation and rotted deck removed rather than covered over.

Detail work

Parapets, curbs, drains, scuppers and penetrations flashed and terminated correctly.

Water test

Because on a low slope you verify rather than hope.

Flat and Low-Slope Roofing questions

Why does my flat porch roof keep leaking?
Most often because it is shingled at a pitch too low to shed, or because a membrane termination has failed. Repeated patching does not change either cause.
Can a flat roof be repaired instead of replaced?
Often yes, when the failure is localized and the insulation underneath is still dry. Wet insulation changes the answer.
Do you do commercial flat roofs?
Yes - small business buildings, apartments, HOA property and light industrial around Carbondale and Marion.

Related pages

Commercial Roofing

Larger low-slope buildings.

Read more

Roof Leak Repair

Finding the actual entry point.

Read more

Metal Roofing

Panel systems on low pitch.

Read more

Need A Roofer In Carbondale?

One free inspection replaces a week of guessing. Call (618) 549-0800 or send the form.