Garland Commercial Roofing: Keeping Flat Roofs Dry and Documented
Commercial roofs hide damage well. This guide covers how hail and age affect low-slope roofs in Garland and what a good maintenance routine looks like.
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A simple yearly routine for a commercial roof
Spring check
Look at the roof before storm season. Clear drains and scuppers and note any open seams.
After every major storm
Check for punctures, dents on rooftop units and loose flashing at the edges.
Fall check
Clear leaves, check sealant at penetrations and fix small issues before winter rain.
Keep a log
Record dates, photos and repairs. That history helps decide between repair and replacement later.
Garland's storm record and flat roofs
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 112 hail reports within 10 miles of Garland from 2015 through 2024. Twenty-eight of those reached 1.75 inches or larger, and the largest measured 5.25 inches on April 11, 2016. Large hail was reported in 5 of the 10 years in that span.
On a flat or low-slope roof, that kind of hail can crush insulation, crack cover boards and puncture membranes without any sign from the parking lot. Water then spreads sideways under the membrane before it reaches a ceiling. By the time tenants report a stain, the wet area can be much larger than the drip. Garland lies in both Collin County and Dallas County, and the same storms can reach buildings in each.
Common commercial roof systems
TPO and EPDM
Single-ply membranes common on retail and office roofs. Compare them in TPO vs. EPDM roofing.
Metal roofs
Panel and standing seam systems on warehouses and shops.
Pitched commercial roofs
Shingle, tile and metal on smaller offices, clinics and churches.
Gutters and drainage
Edge gutters, downspouts and scuppers that move water off the roof fast.
When it may be time to replace
Leaks in several areas at once, or repairs that do not hold.
Large areas of wet insulation found during an inspection.
A membrane that is brittle, shrinking or pulling away from walls.
Repeated ponding that the drains cannot keep up with.
Several layers of old roofing already on the building, which can limit repair options and hide wet material.
Repair first, when it makes sense
Not every problem calls for a new roof. Open seams, failed flashing around units and small punctures can often be repaired and the roof kept in service for years. The key is knowing how much of the insulation below is wet. A roof with dry insulation and a few failures is a repair candidate; a roof with wide wet areas usually is not.
We explain the options in plain terms, with photos, so owners and managers can plan budgets instead of reacting to the next leak. For buildings with older roofs, a planned replacement on your own schedule is usually easier on tenants than an emergency one after a storm.
Working with GemSco
GemSco is family owned, fully licensed and insured, with 20+ years of experience on residential and commercial roofs. We inspect, document with photos and give written estimates at no cost. If a storm caused the damage, that documentation can support your conversation with your insurer, though coverage depends on your policy. See our commercial roofing page and our Garland page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if hail damaged my building's flat roof?
Look for dents on rooftop units, vents and metal edges, which show the storm was strong enough to cause damage. The membrane itself often needs a close walk to check. A roofer can test suspect spots and photograph punctures or bruises so you have a record.
Can work happen while my business stays open?
In most cases, yes. Crews work on the roof, and noisy or messy tasks can be scheduled around your hours. Our article on reducing business disruption during roof repairs covers how to plan access, parking and safety with tenants.
Is a coating a good option for an older flat roof?
Sometimes. A coating can extend the life of a roof that is dry and structurally sound. It does not fix wet insulation or failed seams underneath. An inspection first tells you whether the roof is a candidate for a coating or needs repair or replacement instead.
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