Terra Nova Roofing & ConstructionOwn or manage a storefront, mixed-use building, office, church or apartment building? Terra Nova Roofing & Construction inspects commercial roofs in New Jersey, finds the real source of leaks, and gives you a written, itemized scope for repair, restoration or replacement.
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Free roof inspection, photos of what we find, and a written scope a property owner, manager or board can review and compare.
Most commercial buildings in North Jersey have flat or low-slope roofs covered by a membrane such as TPO, EPDM or modified bitumen, not shingles. A commercial roofer inspects the membrane, seams, flashing, drains and parapet walls, finds where water is really getting in, and recommends a repair, a restoration or a full replacement. Terra Nova inspects for free, documents everything with photos and gives you a written estimate before any work starts. Call or text 973-200-1617.
Flat and low-slope roofs need a continuous waterproof membrane. These are the systems we see most on North Jersey commercial and mixed-use buildings.
| System | What it is | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| TPO (single-ply) | A white or light-colored thermoplastic membrane with heat-welded seams | Reflects sun, which helps keep top floors cooler. Seams and flashing details must be welded and probed carefully. |
| EPDM (rubber) | A black synthetic rubber membrane, glued or mechanically fastened | Common on older buildings. Seams rely on tape or adhesive, which can open up with age. |
| Modified bitumen | Asphalt-based rolls, torch-applied or self-adhered, often with a granule surface | Durable and easy to patch. Torch work on occupied buildings needs extra care. |
| Built-up roof (BUR) | Layers of felt and asphalt, often topped with gravel | Found on many older commercial roofs. Hard to inspect under the gravel; blisters and splits are common with age. |
| Roof coatings | Liquid-applied coating systems over a sound existing roof | Can extend the life of a roof that is still dry underneath. Not a fix for wet insulation. |
| Metal and shingle sections | Mansards, canopies, standing-seam or shingled sections on mixed-use buildings | Many buildings combine a flat main roof with steep sections that need their own details. |
Low-slope sections on homes use the same ideas. See flat roofing systems.
Water on a flat roof moves sideways before it drips, so the stain on the ceiling is often far from the hole. These are the spots we check first.
Clogged or poorly sealed drains leave ponding water that finds every weak seam. We check strainers, clamping rings and scupper flashing.
Open coping joints, cracked masonry and short base flashing let water into the wall and down behind the membrane.
Seams can open from age, movement and freeze-thaw cycles. We probe seams and look for lifted edges.
Rooftop units, curbs and condensate lines are a top leak source, along with damage from service technicians walking the roof.
Pipes, vents, conduits, satellite mounts and signs need proper boots or pitch pockets that stay sealed.
Water that sits for days after rain speeds up wear. It points to sagging deck, crushed insulation or drains set too high.
Soft spots and blisters can mean water is trapped under the membrane, which changes the repair plan.
Old skylight curbs and roof hatches often have tired flashing. See skylight repair.
The right answer depends on how much of the roof is wet and how worn the membrane is overall, not just on how old it is.
| Option | Usually makes sense when | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Targeted repair | Leaks come from a few spots (a drain, a curb, one seam) and the rest of the membrane is sound | Repairs should match the existing material. A patch over wet insulation will not last. |
| Restoration / coating | The membrane is aging but the insulation and deck underneath are mostly dry | Wet areas need to be found and replaced first. Ask what surface prep is included. |
| Recover | One existing roof is in place and the deck and insulation are sound | Building code limits how many roof layers are allowed, and wet material must come out. |
| Full tear-off and replacement | Leaks are widespread, insulation is saturated, or there are already multiple layers | Plan for deck repairs, insulation, new flashing at walls and curbs, and drainage corrections. |
For a homeowner’s version of this decision, read roof repair vs. replacement and roof overlay vs. replacement.
We don’t publish one price per square foot, because two flat roofs the same size can need very different work. These are the factors your written estimate explains.
Total area, number of roof levels, and how many walls, curbs and penetrations break up the surface.
How many roofs are already on the building and whether they have to come off.
How much insulation or decking is wet or damaged and has to be replaced.
TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen or a coating system each cost differently to buy and install.
New drains, tapered insulation or scuppers to fix ponding water.
Parapet height, coping replacement and the amount of wall and curb flashing.
Building height, street access, hoisting, permits and working around tenants and business hours.
Some materials and adhesives have temperature limits that affect scheduling in winter.
Call or text 973-200-1617 with the building address, roof access details, what you’re seeing and photos if you have them.
We walk the roof, check the membrane, seams, drains, parapets, curbs and penetrations, and look at interior stains so we can trace the water path.
You get photos of what we found and a written, itemized scope: repair, restoration or replacement, plus exclusions and schedule.
We plan noise, access, parking, hoisting and work hours around tenants, customers and business operations.
Damaged areas are opened up, wet material is removed, and the new roofing, flashing and drainage details are installed with daily cleanup and the roof left watertight each night.
We review the finished roof with you and hand over photos and paperwork for your records.
Most commercial roof problems start small. A regular inspection schedule catches them before they reach the ceiling tiles.
| When | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Drains, seams, flashing and damage from winter ice and snow | Freeze-thaw cycles open seams and flashing that leak in spring rains. |
| Fall | Leaves and debris in drains, gutters and scuppers; wall copings | Clogged drains cause ponding and overflow during fall storms and winter melt. |
| After major storms | Wind-lifted edges, punctures, debris and loose flashing | Storm damage is easier to document and fix right away. |
| After HVAC service | Around rooftop units, curbs and condensate lines | Dropped tools and foot traffic can puncture the membrane. |
Heavy snow and ice on a flat roof? Read about ice dam leaks and our emergency roof tarping page if water is coming in now.
Commercial roofing decisions often need sign-off from several people. We keep the paperwork clear so it’s easy to review.
We show you photos of the roof’s condition and explain repair and replacement options in plain language, so you can budget with fewer surprises.
A written scope with photos makes it easier to get approvals and compare contractors line by line.
We can walk the roof with a board member or building superintendent and explain the findings so the decision is easier.
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Send the building address, roof access details, what’s happening and photos if you have them. We’ll follow up to schedule an inspection.
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Yes. We inspect, repair and replace flat and low-slope roofs on commercial and mixed-use buildings in North Jersey. Call or text 973-200-1617 with the address and we’ll tell you how we can help.
It depends on the building, the roof deck, how much foot traffic the roof gets and your budget. TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen and coating systems all have a place. We explain the options for your roof in the estimate.
It depends on roof size and layout, existing layers, wet insulation or deck damage, the system chosen, drainage and wall flashing, and access. We inspect first and give you a free written estimate that lists each item.
Often, yes, when the leaks come from a few areas and the insulation underneath is still dry. If water has soaked large areas of insulation, a patch won’t last and replacement is usually the better plan.
A coating is a liquid-applied system over an existing roof that is still sound and dry underneath. It is not a fix for wet insulation or a badly damaged membrane, so the roof has to be inspected first.
Water on a flat roof can travel along the deck or insulation before it drips through. We trace the water path from the stain back to the drains, seams, walls and curbs to find the real source.
Ponding usually means clogged or high drains, sagging deck, or crushed insulation. Water sitting for days after rain wears the roof faster, so it’s worth fixing the cause.
A good rule is twice a year, in spring and fall, plus after major storms and after rooftop equipment is serviced.
We plan access, noise, parking and work hours with you before the job starts, and we keep the roof watertight at the end of each work day.
Sometimes, when sudden storm damage is covered by the policy. We can document the damage with photos, but your insurance company decides what is covered.
Permit requirements are set by the local building department. We’ll go over what applies to your project as part of the estimate.
Call or text 973-200-1617, or use the form on this page with the building address and a short description. Estimates are free.
We work with building owners and managers in these and nearby towns:
Updated October 2026 by the Terra Nova Roofing & Construction team, Garfield, NJ • NJ Lic. #13VH13824700
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