Roofing crew rolling out a white TPO membrane on a flat commercial roof in Portage, IN
Roofer walking a flat commercial roof with the building owner
Service Area

Lake Station Commercial Roofing Contractor

Counting Old Roof Layers Before Choosing Recover Or Tear-Off

As a Lake Station commercial roofing contractor, we install metal roofs and TPO or EPDM flat roofs on shops, storage buildings, offices, and retail, starting with the deck and drainage.

Lake Station Buildings

Lake Station Commercial Roofing Starts With What Is Already There

Lake Station commercial roofing decisions start below the surface, with how many roofs are already stacked on the deck.

Older shops and storefronts often carry a second roof put on over the first. Core cuts show each layer, whether the insulation between them is wet, and what shape the deck is in.

One dry layer over a solid deck can take a recover. Two layers, wet insulation, or rusted deck call for a tear-off, which also lets us fix the deck before new insulation goes down.

  • Every existing layer counted in core cuts
  • Deck checked for rust and soft spots
  • Wet insulation found before the price is set
Crew tearing an old commercial roof section down to the steel deck
Roof Symptoms

Commercial Roofing Problems on Lake Station Shops And Storefronts

Stacked roofs and aging decks cause a set of problems that look minor from the surface.

You See

Soft spots underfoot

Likely Cause

Wet insulation trapped between two old roof layers, slowly crushing under foot traffic.

What We Do

We core the soft areas and plan a tear-off where moisture has spread between layers.

You See

Rust stains on the ceiling

Likely Cause

Steel deck corroding from years of small leaks held against it by the old roofs.

What We Do

Bad deck panels are replaced during the tear-off before new insulation goes down.

You See

Loose screws on shop panels

Likely Cause

Exposed-fastener metal roofs whose washers have cracked with age.

What We Do

Fasteners and washers are replaced, and laps are resealed along the run.

You See

Water that sits near the walls

Likely Cause

Added layers over the years raising the field above the drains or scuppers.

What We Do

Tear-off brings the roof back down and tapered insulation sends water to the drains.

You See

Edge metal sitting too low

Likely Cause

Edge and coping set for one roof, now buried or pushed out of shape after a second roof was laid over it.

What We Do

Tear-off brings the edge back to one roof thickness, and new edge metal and coping go on at the right height.

What You Gain

What Layer Checks Give Commercial Roofing Owners in Lake Station

Knowing what is under the surface keeps the new roof from inheriting old problems.

  • Shops
  • Storage Buildings
  • Storefronts
  • Offices

A Deck You Can Trust

Rusted or soft deck sections get found and replaced while the roof is open.

Dry Insulation From Day One

Wet boards trapped between layers come out, so the new roof starts dry.

Drains At The Right Height

Removing old layers resets the roof level so water reaches drains and scuppers again.

A Lighter Roof Overall

Taking old layers off removes weight the structure has carried for years and leaves room for a future recover.

Roof Systems

Commercial Roofing Systems for Lake Station Buildings

The layer count and deck condition decide which system goes on and how.

Not Sure How Many Roofs Are On Your Building?

Call and tell us the age of the building. A few core cuts answer the question and set the plan for recover or tear-off.

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How The Work Runs

How Lake Station Commercial Roofing Projects Move

Five stages that start with the layers and end with a dry, level roof.

Core Through Every Layer

Core cuts go down to the deck in several spots, showing each roof layer, the insulation condition, and the deck.

Decide Recover Or Tear-Off

One dry layer over a solid deck can be recovered; anything more points to a tear-off. You get the choice in writing.

Remove And Repair

Old layers come off one section per day, and rusted or soft deck panels are replaced before insulation goes down.

Insulate And Install

Tapered insulation sets new slope to the drains, then the membrane or metal panels go on and flashing is finished.

Check Drainage And Walk It

After the first rain we confirm water reaches the drains, and the final walk covers edges, curbs, and laps.

Nearby Towns

Neighboring Towns Lake Station Owners Also Use Us In

Need work in another town nearby? We roof the towns below; for others, call us or send us a message.

Straight Answers

Lake Station Commercial Roofing Questions

Do you install metal and flat roofs on Lake Station commercial buildings?

Yes. Metal fits shops and storage buildings with pitched roofs, and TPO or EPDM fits flat roofs on offices and retail. Each project opens with a check of the deck and the drainage. Core cuts at the same visit show how many roofs are already on the building.

How many roof layers can stay on a commercial building?

That depends on the code that applies and the condition of the layers, so we check both. In practice, one dry existing layer over a solid deck can often take a recover; more layers or wet insulation point to a tear-off.

What does Lake Station commercial roofing cost?

Layer count drives it. Removing two roofs costs more than one, deck repairs add to it, and the new system and insulation set the rest. Every building is priced after core cuts on a free visit. Recovering one dry layer usually costs less than tearing two off, which is why the layer count comes first.

Recover or tear-off on older buildings: how do you decide?

Core cuts decide it. A recover needs one dry layer and a solid deck. Wet insulation, a second existing roof, or rusted deck mean the old roofing comes off first.

Why does water pond near the walls on older roofs?

Each added layer raises the roof surface, and drains or scuppers end up higher than the water around them. Tear-off and tapered insulation bring the slope back to the drains. New scuppers or drains are added where the walls trap water.

Is a permit required to reroof in Lake Station?

Ask the local building office for the property before work starts. Indiana commercial buildings fall under the Indiana Building Code, 675 IAC 13, and the scope decides what the city requires.

Hire a Lake Station Commercial Roofing Contractor

Tell us how old the building is and where it leaks. We will core the roof and price recover or tear-off in writing.

Call (574) 574-4778