Catch and protect
Put containers under leaks and move or cover equipment, inventory and furniture.
Flat or low-slope roof leaking or ponding water?
Flat and low-slope roofs leak at seams, drains, penetrations and around rooftop equipment, and standing water speeds up failures. Catch the water inside, keep people off the roof, then call 833-877-1717. RepairNowUSA connects the request. An independent roofer does the repair.
Am I in the right place?Yes for leaks below a flat roof, standing water that does not drain, blisters, splits or damaged membrane.
Is this urgent?Urgent if water is entering occupied or equipment areas, or the roof deck is sagging under water.
What do I do next?Catch the water and call 833-877-1717 with the ZIP code and roof type if known.
Commercial buildings: commercial roof leak. Leak at rooftop HVAC: RTU repair.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 14, 2026 · Review standards
Inside the building
Power off wet areas
If water is near lights, outlets or panels, have a qualified person shut off power to that area.
Note when it leaks
Write down which rains cause leaks and whether water stands on the roof afterward. It helps find the failure point.
Ponding weight and roof edges
Large amounts of standing water add serious weight. A sagging deck can fail. Keep people off the roof and out from under sagging areas.
Flat roof failure points
Seams and laps
Membrane seams separate with age, heat cycles and foot traffic, letting water under the roof covering.
Drains and scuppers
Clogged drains cause ponding. Roofing standards commonly treat water still standing about 48 hours after rain as ponding that needs attention.
Penetrations and curbs
Flashing around HVAC units, vents and pipes is a frequent leak point on low-slope roofs.
Blisters, splits and punctures
Trapped moisture, age and dropped tools or debris open the membrane. Small damage can be patched; widespread damage may need a new section.
What to have ready when you call
- Property ZIP code and whether it is a home, rental or business
- Roof type, if known: EPDM, TPO, modified bitumen or built-up
- Where water enters and when it leaks
- Whether water stands on the roof or the deck sags
- Equipment on the roof
- Roof access
How flat roof repair usually works
- Inspection. The roofer checks seams, drains, penetrations and the membrane, and looks for wet areas.
- Clear drainage. Clogged drains and scuppers are cleared so water leaves the roof.
- Patch or reseal. Seams are resealed or rewelded and punctures are patched with matching material.
- Replace wet sections. Where insulation or decking is soaked, those sections are cut out and replaced.
Patch materials must match the existing membrane. Mixing incompatible products can fail quickly, so tell the roofer what you know about the roof.
What happens when you call RepairNowUSA
- Describe what is happening in plain words and give the property ZIP code. You do not need to know which trade to ask for.
- RepairNowUSA checks for a participating independent provider who handles flat roof repair in that area.
- If one is available, you are connected. The provider confirms timing, access, scope and price with you before any work.
- The provider, not RepairNowUSA, diagnoses and performs the repair.
RepairNowUSA is a referral and connection service. Provider availability and response times vary by location, time and demand, and are not guaranteed. Before you approve work, ask what was found, the price, the timing and what is not included.
Call 833-877-1717Flat roof questions
Why does my flat roof leak?
Most leaks come from open seams, clogged drains, failed flashing at penetrations or damage to the membrane.
Is ponding water a problem?
Yes, if it stays long after rain. It adds weight, speeds up wear and finds any small opening. Drainage problems should be corrected.
Can a flat roof be repaired instead of replaced?
Often. Localized damage can be repaired. If large areas of insulation are wet or the membrane is brittle, replacement may be more cost-effective.
Is a sagging flat roof dangerous?
It can be. Keep people off the roof and out from under the sagging area, and have it inspected promptly.
Can I call at night?
Yes. You can call 833-877-1717 at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Whether an independent provider can come out right away depends on your ZIP code, the time and provider capacity, so availability is not guaranteed.
Authoritative references
These public sources give general safety context. They do not replace an on-site evaluation, and RepairNowUSA does not perform the work.