Video · Storms & hurricanes
What Storm Damage Looks Like on a Flat Roof
- Mod bit
- Built-up
- TPO
- PVC
- EPDM
What this video shows
A commercial roofing company shows what wind and storm damage looks like on a flat roof. After a hurricane or tropical storm, knowing these signs helps you document damage for insurance and decide what needs an emergency patch.
Key points
- Start at the perimeter. Metal edge, coping and flashings are where wind starts peeling a roof back.
- Look for lifted or billowing membrane, open seams, debris punctures and gravel that's been blown around.
- Clear drains and scuppers so the next rain doesn't pond on a damaged roof.
- Photograph everything, with dates, before you patch, and keep receipts for emergency repairs.
- Make temporary repairs only to stop water, and leave permanent repairs until the adjuster has seen the roof.
Products in this video
The products used or shown, or the closest match we could verify. Typical price ranges, not live prices.
Seam repair tape · $70–$120
EternaBondEternaBond RoofSeal White Seam Tape, 4 in. x 50 ft
- Chemistry
- Other
- Size
- 4 in. x 50 ft
- EPDM
- TPO
- Metal
- Mod bit
- Rolled
A UV-stable peel-and-stick tape with an aggressive sealant layer that bonds to rubber, TPO, metal and most other roofing. It's the fastest durable fix for an open seam or a split along a metal edge.
Read the fine print: Prep decides whether it lasts: clean, dry, free of chalk, and rolled down hard. Don't put it over a silicone coating, and check whether your membrane needs a primer first.
Best for: Open seams, metal-edge splits, curbs and fast storm repairs
Check price on Amazon for EternaBond RoofSeal White Seam Tape, 4 in. x 50 ft (opens in new tab)Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Coverage and specs are the manufacturer's stated figures. Disclosure
Wet-or-dry roof cement · $20–$40
HenryHenry 208R Rubberized Wet Patch Roof Cement (HE208R042)
- Chemistry
- Asphalt
- Size
- 0.90 gal (1-gal can)
- Coverage
- About 12.5 sq ft per gallon at 1/8 in. thick
- Mod bit
- Built-up
- Rolled
- Metal
The emergency patch to keep in the garage: a rubberized asphalt cement that bonds to wet surfaces, even in the rain. Trowel it on thick and wide, and bed polyester fabric in it over anything bigger than a nail hole.
Read the fine print: Asphalt-based. Henry says to wait 30 days before coating over it, and it can bleed through white acrylic or silicone, so prime it with a bleed blocker or cut it out before a recoat. Not for EPDM rubber or PVC sheet roofs. Henry wants fabric on any hole wider than 1/4 in. or longer than 2 in.
Best for: Stopping an active leak on a mod-bit, built-up, rolled or metal roof
Check price on Amazon for Henry 208R Rubberized Wet Patch Roof Cement (HE208R042) (opens in new tab)Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Coverage and specs are the manufacturer's stated figures. Disclosure
Pin-type moisture meter · $25–$45
General ToolsGeneral Tools MMD4E Digital Moisture Meter
- Mod bit
- Built-up
- Rolled
- TPO
- PVC
- EPDM
- Spray foam
- Metal
- Silicone-coated
- Acrylic-coated
A pin meter for checking whether decking, framing and fascia got wet from a leak, and whether a repair area has dried enough to work on.
Read the fine print: It reads only what the pins touch. It can't see wet insulation under a membrane (pros use core cuts, impedance scanners or infrared for that), and pushing pins through a membrane makes new holes.
Best for: Checking wood decking, framing and fascia for leak damage
Check price on Amazon for General Tools MMD4E Digital Moisture Meter (opens in new tab)Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Coverage and specs are the manufacturer's stated figures. Disclosure
Roofer's fall-protection kit · $120–$180
Guardian Fall ProtectionGuardian 00815 Bucket of Safe-Tie Fall Protection Kit
- Mod bit
- Built-up
- Rolled
- TPO
- PVC
- EPDM
- Spray foam
- Metal
- Silicone-coated
- Acrylic-coated
A harness, a 50-ft lifeline assembly and a reusable roof anchor packed in a bucket. It's the standard starter kit for anyone working near a roof edge.
Read the fine print: The anchor has to be fastened into structure, which on a flat roof means penetrating the membrane, so plan to flash and seal it or use a parapet or counterweight anchor instead. Rig it so you can't reach the edge, and read the fall-clearance instructions.
Best for: Working near unprotected roof edges
Check price on Amazon for Guardian 00815 Bucket of Safe-Tie Fall Protection Kit (opens in new tab)Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Coverage and specs are the manufacturer's stated figures. Disclosure
Non-slip roofing boots · $120–$180
Cougar PawsCougar Paws Peak Performer Roofing Boots
- Mod bit
- Built-up
- Rolled
- TPO
- PVC
- EPDM
- Spray foam
- Metal
- Silicone-coated
- Acrylic-coated
Roofing boots with replaceable foam traction pads, made for grip on roof surfaces. On a flat roof the bigger slip hazards are slick coating, wet membrane and mildew.
Read the fine print: Nothing grips fresh coating, wet silicone or algae. Stay off uncured coating, and treat a wet roof as off-limits.
Best for: Steady footing on dry roof surfaces
Check price on Amazon for Cougar Paws Peak Performer Roofing Boots (opens in new tab)Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Coverage and specs are the manufacturer's stated figures. Disclosure
Read the full guide
Storms & hurricanes Flat roof hurricane prep and storm damage: before, during and after Before hurricane season, clear every drain, fix loose edges and flashing, and photograph the whole roof so you can prove its pre-storm condition. After a storm, stay off the roof until it is safe, document damage with dated photos and video, limit further water damage and report the claim promptly; Florida's deadline for an initial claim is one year from the date of loss. Hire only a licensed roofer, and walk away from anyone offering to waive your deductible.Video by Four Seasons Kanga Roof, embedded from YouTube. The summary, key points and cautions on this page are our own; Four Seasons Kanga Roof doesn't endorse TheFlatRoofPro.com or the products listed. Roofing work for hire generally requires a licensed roofing contractor.