Coat or replace? What to do with your aging flat roof.
Honest answers from TruRoof, commercial roofing in Clifton, OH.
You manage a building in Clifton with a flat roof that's showing wear. You've heard coatings can extend its life, but you're not sure if that's a smart move or money down the drain. You need a straight answer before you make a costly mistake.
If your flat roof has small cracks, blisters, or minor leaks, a coating may seem like a quick fix. Coatings are liquid applied directly to the existing roof surface. They can seal tiny holes and reflect heat. But if water has already seeped into the insulation, or if the roof deck is soft, a coating just traps moisture underneath. That hidden damage gets worse fast. The problem shows up as bubbles, damp spots on the ceiling, or standing water after rain.
A coating job usually costs less upfront than tearing off and replacing the whole roof. You might pay a third of the price, but you get maybe five to ten years. Replacement is a bigger investment but lasts decades. The real risk is paying for a coating only to find out later that the insulation was wet. Then you've paid twice. That's why a moisture scan and core sample are essential before you decide.
This week, contact TruRoof to schedule a moisture scan on your Clifton building. We'll take a small core sample to check what's under the membrane. If the deck and insulation are dry, a coating could buy you years. If not, we'll recommend a full replacement and give you a clear price. Don't guess with a coating – a scan takes about an hour and gives you the truth.
Once you know the true condition of your roof, you can make a confident decision. You'll either extend the life of your roof with a proven coating or replace it with a new system that won't leak for decades. No more sleepless nights over water stains. Just a dry, secure building that's ready for whatever Ohio weather brings.
What people in Clifton say
"I'm reviewing my two new roofs, on my house and my garage, installed by TruRoof. The company, and Damon Chuke, their representative, helped me work with the insurance company, and with understanding all the details of the whole process. They took out an obsolete chimney, were on time and professional, and the finished roofs and flashing are beautiful. Many compliments from neighbors. Highly recommended by me."
"We have a beautiful condo in a historic building from the 1840s. Late November had a bad leak in the dining room area. I called Britt at TruRoof who came out and inspected the entire roof of the building. He said to do the entire roof could be around $50,000. But then he started laughing and said you need to caulk the area around one of the chimneys. I thought he was nuts, but I did the caulking, which cost me about 25 bucks worth of outdoor caulk, and there are no more leaks. I cannot express my appreciation for his diligence and his honesty. That kind of a company and a person is rare these days. Highly, highly, highly recommend these guys."
"TruRoof did an outstanding job from start to finish. Communication leading up to the start date was great. Once on site and the project started, everything went as discussed, and the crew was very professional."
Other things people in Clifton ask
can you reroof over an existing flat roof
A recover works when there is one roof layer and dry insulation. A core sample tells us in an hour.
how much does a commercial roof cost
We price by square footage, system and insulation and give you a written proposal you can put in front of the board.
commercial roof keeps leaking after repairs
When a roof fails despite repeated repairs, the membrane is likely shot. Get a core sample to check insulation. If it is wet, a full replacement or a silicone restoration coating may be needed. Stop wasting money on patches.
TPO vs EPDM flat roof
TPO is white and reflects heat, which helps cooling costs in summer. EPDM is black rubber and handles ponding water well. For most Cincinnati commercial buildings, TPO is the default choice. Get a roof assessment to match the membrane to your roof's slope and drainage.
Ready to talk?
TruRoof handles commercial roofing in Clifton and the area around it.