Why Is My Flat Roof Going Soft on Me?

A flat roof may look perfectly fine from the outside, but underneath that roofing membrane, things can sometimes get a little... squishy. When the plywood or roof substrate becomes soft or starts cracking, ignoring it is basically giving the problem a free pass to get worse.

For this project, the damaged section of the roofing membrane and soft substrate were removed to expose the affected area. The surface was then inspected and prepared for a new, solid foundation.
New plywood/substrate was installed to replace the damaged material. Once the foundation was ready, a new bitumen base sheet was installed over the insulation, followed by a modified bitumen cap sheet over the entire repair area. Picture it as rebuilding the roof's protective layers instead of simply putting a bandage over a broken spot.

To finish things off, a new aluminum coating was applied to the repaired area to provide an additional layer of protection.
At Anchor Point Roofing, the best roofing company, we believe a proper flat roof repair means fixing what's underneath—not just making the surface look pretty.
Because if your roof feels soft, the answer isn't "maybe it'll toughen up." That's a job for the professionals.

Location: Chicago, IL