Open Seams Along Old Membrane Laps
Laps that have pulled apart let rain run under the sheet. On an older TPO or EPDM roof, several open seams in one season usually point to a membrane near the end of its service.
Berks County Roof Systems
Reading Commercial Roofing Contractor
New Roof Systems for Warehouses, Plants, Bakeries, and Brick Mills
Reading commercial roofing is our work: we install TPO, EPDM, and metal roofs and replace worn industrial roofs on buildings across the city.
- SystemsTPO, EPDM, and metal
- Work TypesNew roofs and full replacement
- BuildingsWarehouses, plants, mills
- First StepA roof inspection and core cuts
Roof Conditions Behind Commercial Roofing Calls in Reading
Most owners who ask about Reading commercial roofing are looking at one of these six conditions on an aging flat or metal roof.
Ponding That Stays After Rain
Water still standing two days after a storm means the insulation has sagged or the drains sit high. A new roof needs that slope fixed, or the same puddles return on the new sheet.
Wet Insulation Under the Membrane
Soft spots underfoot and blistered areas often hide soaked board. Core cuts show how much of it is wet, which sets how much tear-off the replacement needs.
Rusted Panels on Metal Buildings
Red rust at laps and along panel ends weakens older metal roofs. When rust has gone through the steel, we price new panels or a retrofit instead of another round of patches.
Tired Flashing at Rooftop Units
Cracked base flashing at curbs, stacks, and vents is where many leaks start. A new roof rebuilds those details at the right height for the new insulation.
Loose Edge Metal and Coping
Wind lifts edge metal that has lost its fasteners. Once the perimeter loosens, the membrane behind it peels back, so edge work belongs in any replacement plan.
How Commercial Roofing Work Runs in Reading, PA
Each job follows the same order, from the first roof walk to the final walk with you.
Reroof Work Order5 Steps
- 1
Inspect Your Roof and Cut Cores
On The RoofEvery part of the roof gets walked: we photograph seams, drains, curbs, and edges, and take small core cuts to see the layers and check the insulation for water.
- 2
Write the Assembly and Removal Limits
PaperworkYou get a written scope naming the membrane, insulation, attachment, edge metal, and flashing, plus what comes off, what stays, and how hidden deck damage gets priced.
- 3
Plan Access, Staging, and Equipment
At The BuildingWe set crane or hoist spots, material routes, and protection for the floor below, and we schedule rooftop unit work with your HVAC contractor before tear-off reaches it.
- 4
Tear Off and Install in Sections
On The RoofOld roofing comes off only as far as we can dry in that day. New insulation, membrane or panels, flashing, and edge metal go down section by section.
- 5
Close Out With Photos and a Final Walk
PaperworkTogether we walk the finished roof, check welds and laps, and hand over photos of the details plus the system and manufacturer records.
Reading Commercial Roofing Systems We Install
Four roof systems cover nearly every flat and low-slope building in the city. Pick the one closest to your roof.
TPO RoofingWhite TPO Membrane Roofs
Heat-welded white membrane over new insulation, a common choice for warehouses, offices, and food plants that want a bright, reflective surface.
See TPO roofing
EPDM RoofingBlack EPDM Rubber Roofs
Fully adhered or ballasted rubber sheets for older mill buildings and low-slope roofs where flexible membrane handles movement and cold winters well.
See EPDM roofing
Industrial RoofingRoofs Over Production Space
Reroofing planned around exhaust stacks, ducts, curbs, and shift schedules on plants, fabrication shops, and distribution buildings.
See industrial roofing
Commercial Metal RoofingStanding-Seam and Panel Roofs
New metal roofs, panel replacement, and retrofit framing over worn metal on warehouses, farm buildings, and shops.
See metal roofing
Planning a Reroof This Season?
Call before the old roof fails in winter. We will set up a roof walk and core cuts.
Call UsTPO or EPDM for Commercial Roofing in Reading
Both membranes work on flat roofs here. The building, its equipment, and its exhaust decide which one fits.
TPO Membrane
Thermoplastic single-ply, white surface
- Seams
- Hot-air welded
- Color
- White, reflective
- Attachment
- Mechanically fastened or adhered
- Best Fit
- Warehouses, offices, food plants
- Watch For
- Puncture risk under heavy foot traffic
EPDM Membrane
Synthetic rubber single-ply, black surface
- Seams
- Seam tape and primer
- Color
- Black, absorbs heat
- Attachment
- Adhered, fastened, or ballasted
- Best Fit
- Mill buildings, cold storage, low slopes
- Watch For
- Seam tape lifting at old laps
We compare attachment, insulation, drainage, and access around equipment before naming a membrane.
What New Commercial Roofing Gives Reading Buildings
A full replacement resets the whole roof assembly, from the deck to the edge metal.
Buildings We Roof
- Warehouses
- Distribution Centers
- Fabrication Shops
- Snack Food Bakeries
- Brick Mill Buildings
- Offices
- Schools
- Retail Centers
Dry Insulation Under the New Membrane
Wet board comes out and new insulation goes in at the thickness the energy code asks for at reroof time.
Slope That Moves Water to the Drains
Tapered insulation and crickets correct the low spots that held water on the old roof.
Rebuilt Flashing at Every Penetration
Curbs, stacks, pipes, and drains get new flashing matched to the new roof height.
A Roof File You Can Use Later
Photos, system records, and the assembly list help with future repairs, insurance questions, and resale.
Our Commercial Roofing Service Area
Not sure your building is in our area? Call (484) 978-6354 or send us a message. We install and replace commercial roofs in Reading, Wyomissing, Collingdale, Downingtown, Brookhaven, and Ridley Park.
- Wyomissing
Warehouse and office roofs just west of the city, often over stored stock that needs protection.
- Collingdale
Flat roofs on older brick buildings where perimeter flashing and coping need a close look.
- Downingtown
Low-slope roofs where drainage and drain heights get reviewed before the new membrane goes down.
- Brookhaven
Commercial roofs crowded with rooftop units that need curb and HVAC coordination.
- Ridley Park
Roofs with frequent service traffic, where walkway routes protect the new membrane.
Commercial Roofing Questions From Reading Owners
Six short answers. The FAQ page has the full set of thirty.
Cost and Systems
What Drives Commercial Roof Replacement Cost?
The price follows the building: roof size, the system and its thickness, insulation, how many old layers come off, deck repairs, edge metal, and flashing. Crane access, staging, and the season also count, so a price comes after a roof inspection and core cuts.
TPO vs EPDM for Commercial Buildings: Which Fits?
Either membrane can work on a flat roof. We look at exhaust from the process below, foot traffic to equipment, how seams get made around curbs, and how the roof drains. The membrane name comes last, after the assembly fits the building.
Age and Weather
How Long Does a Commercial Roof Last?
Service life depends on installation quality, drainage, upkeep, and traffic, so two roofs of the same age can be far apart. We judge a roof by its seams, flashing, and the condition of the layers under damaged spots, and leave the birthday out of it.
How Does a New Roof Handle Snowmelt?
Snowmelt backs up behind ice at drains, gutters, and edges. A replacement roof needs open outlets, sound transitions at those spots, and details that tolerate freeze-thaw movement. Heavy wet snow is a structural question, which we review separately from the membrane.
Old Buildings and Code
Will a New Roof Dry Out an Old Brick Mill?
Only when the water comes from the roof. Damp brick can come from indoor humidity or wall flashing, so we compare roof moisture readings with ventilation and wall conditions first. The new roof fixes documented roof defects, and other sources get their own investigation.
Which Code Covers Reroofing in Reading?
Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Code sets the statewide framework. We describe the existing assembly, insulation changes, removal, and any affected supports clearly, then take them to the reviewing authority for the building.
Hire a Reading Commercial Roofing Contractor
Tell us about the building and the roof. We will set up an inspection and give you a written scope you can compare.