Commercial Roofing for Houston Buildings
Flat and low-slope roofs handle Houston rain differently than a pitched house roof does. GemSco repairs and replaces commercial roofs with a written scope owners and managers can act on.
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Roof types we work on
Flat and low-slope
Standard on offices, retail and warehouses. Drainage and seams decide how long they last. See flat roof repair.
Metal
Common on shops and industrial buildings. Fasteners, seams and coating get a close look. More on metal roofing.
Shingle and tile
Smaller commercial buildings, churches and offices built like houses.
Drainage
Edges, gutters, downspouts and scuppers that move water off the roof.
Rooftop solar
Panels that must come off and go back on for a roof job. See solar panel removal and reinstallation.
What Houston weather does to a flat roof
On a flat roof, water does not run off quickly. Heavy Houston rain can pond in low spots, and standing water finds every weak seam and penetration. Summer heat expands and contracts the surface day after day, which opens seams and dries out the sealant around rooftop units.
Hail is a smaller factor than rain here, but it counts. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 40 hail reports within 10 miles of Houston from 2015 through 2024, the largest at 2.5 inches on January 8, 2016. After a storm like that, rooftop equipment, skylights and soft metal are worth checking.
A flat roof that still holds water two days after rain is telling you something. Ponding shortens the life of most roof surfaces, adds weight to the structure and turns a small seam failure into a leak inside. Clearing drains or correcting the slope is often part of the fix, not just patching the spot that leaks.
How we scope a commercial job
Walk the roof
Surface, seams, flashing, drains, penetrations and the curbs under rooftop equipment.
Look for moisture clues
Stained ceiling tiles, ponding marks and soft areas underfoot.
Photo report
Each problem area photographed and labeled by location, ready to share with owners, tenants or insurers.
Written estimate
Repair, partial replacement or full replacement, with the reasons for each.
Schedule
Timing planned with you around the building's operations.
Questions to answer before you replace
Is the problem a few seams and drains, or the whole roof surface?
Is water reaching the insulation below the surface?
Does the roof drain, or does water sit for days after rain?
When can the work happen with the least disruption to tenants?
Are there solar panels or rooftop units that must be moved?
Repair or replace on a commercial roof
Most commercial roofs get many repairs before one replacement. A repair makes sense when problems are local and the surface is still sound. When leaks keep moving and the insulation is wet, patching gets more expensive every year. Our commercial roof repair and commercial roof replacement pages explain each path.
GemSco is family owned, licensed and insured, and an elite contractor for Owens Corning and GAF. We handle residential and commercial roofing across Houston, DFW, Austin and San Antonio. Estimates are free. For homes in the city, see Houston roofing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you work on flat roofs in Houston?
Yes. GemSco works on low-slope and flat roofs as well as metal, tile and shingle roofs. On a flat roof we pay close attention to drainage, seams and penetrations, because that is where most leaks start. The inspection ends with photos and a written estimate for repair or replacement.
Can you work around our tenants and business hours?
We plan the schedule with you before work starts, including access, noise and areas that must stay open. Tell us about the building's operations when you request the estimate, so the scope and the plan reflect them. We do not promise a completion date before we have seen the roof.
Can you handle the roof if we have solar panels?
Yes. GemSco offers solar panel removal and reinstallation, so panels can come off for the roof work and go back on afterward. Planning both jobs together keeps the roof under the panels from being skipped, and that section is the hardest one to reach later.
Do you document roof damage after a storm?
Yes. We inspect, photograph the damage and give a written estimate. Whether a claim is covered depends on the building's policy and on the insurer's decision. The report gives owners and managers a clear record to share with the carrier and with their own team.
We’re Here to Help!
GemSco Roofing & Solar serves Houston, DFW, Austin, San Antonio and surrounding areas. We’re family owned and fully licensed and insured.