Syracuse has more flat roofs than people notice: the back additions on two-family houses, porch roofs, the rear kitchens of older homes, corner stores with apartments above, and garages. Many still carry old built-up tar and gravel or rolled roofing that's cracked, ponding and patched a dozen times.
We install two membrane types. EPDM is a black rubber sheet with a long track record in cold climates; it stays flexible well below zero. TPO is a white or grey sheet with heat-welded seams that turn into one continuous piece. Which one fits depends on the roof's size, how it drains, what's walking on it and what it ties into.
The detail work is where flat roofs live or die. Edges get metal trim. Walls get the membrane run up and counter-flashed. Drains and scuppers get new flashing and a clean outlet. And if the roof ponds, we add tapered insulation or crickets to push water toward the drain, because standing water under snow is how a flat roof fails.
What the job covers
EPDM rubber
Fully adhered rubber membrane, flexible in deep cold.
TPO
Heat-welded seams for larger roofs and light-colored finishes.
Drainage fixes
Tapered insulation and crickets so water reaches the drains.
Wall and edge flashing
Membrane turned up walls and finished with metal trim.
Drains and scuppers
New flashing and strainers; outlets cleared.
Repairs
Seams, punctures and blisters fixed when the roof still has life.
Flat roof cost in Syracuse
| Job | Typical range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Flat roof repair | $400 – $1,500 | Seam length, puncture count |
| Porch or small addition, new EPDM | $2,500 – $6,500 | Size, tie-in to walls |
| Flat roof replacement | $9 – $15 per sq ft | Tear-off, insulation, drains |
| Tapered insulation for ponding | $3 – $6 per sq ft | How much slope is needed |
Ranges are for budgeting on typical Onondaga County houses. Your number comes after we've seen the roof, written down with the materials named, and it holds for 30 days.
What the work looks like
Questions about flat roofing
EPDM or TPO?
EPDM for most small residential flat roofs in this climate. TPO where there's a large area, foot traffic for equipment, or a light-colored roof is wanted.
My flat roof has puddles after rain. Is that bad?
Water that's gone within two days is normal. Water that sits longer wears the membrane and adds weight, and under snow it never drains. That's worth fixing.
Can you shovel a flat roof?
Carefully, and leave a few inches of snow so the shovel never touches the membrane. Better yet, call us if the load is heavy.
How long does a rubber roof last?
A well-installed EPDM roof commonly lasts 25 years or more. Seams and edges are the parts to watch.
Do you repair tar and gravel roofs?
Small repairs, yes. When an old built-up roof is failing, replacing it with a membrane usually makes more sense.
Does a flat roof replacement need a permit?
A full replacement normally does. We check with the city or town and file it.