EPDM Roofing Contractors in Houston, TX
EPDM has been on commercial roofs longer than any other single-ply membrane, and there is a reason it is still specified. It is durable, it is forgiving in cold, and it is one of the most repairable membranes on the market. It is also black, which matters in Houston. We install, repair, and replace EPDM across Greater Houston, and we will tell you plainly when a different membrane is the better fit for your building. Most EPDM roofs we survey have more service life left than the owner was told. We would rather prove that than sell you a tear-off.
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What EPDM Roofing Is
EPDM stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer. In plain terms, it is a synthetic rubber membrane. It comes in large rolls, usually 45, 60, or 90 mil thick. The sheets are wide. That means fewer seams than most other systems. EPDM is a thermoset. Its seams are bonded with adhesive or seam tape. They are not heat-welded. That is the main difference from the other single-ply membrane systems, TPO and PVC. There are three ways to attach it. Fully adhered systems glue the membrane down. They look the cleanest and hold up best in wind. Mechanically attached systems screw through the membrane at the seams. They cost less and go on faster. Ballasted systems hold the sheet down with rock or pavers. You do not see many new ones today.
EPDM in the Houston Climate
Standard EPDM is black. Black absorbs heat. ENERGY STAR guidance on cool roofs notes that on a hot afternoon a clean white roof stays far cooler than a dark one. Cooler roofs cut air conditioning load. They also age more slowly. In Houston that matters. EPDM does come in white, and it can be coated after it is installed to boost reflectivity. If cooling cost drives your decision, we will price all three options. What EPDM handles well here is movement. It also tolerates ponding better than some membranes. It stands up to ozone and sun over long service lives.
Common EPDM Problems We Repair
EPDM rarely fails in the middle of the roof. It fails at the details. Here is what we see most. Seams open up as the tape or adhesive ages. That is the number one EPDM failure. The sheet shrinks over time. It pulls tight at parapet walls and curbs. That stress tears the flashing. Foot traffic punctures the membrane. So do dropped tools and HVAC service calls. Pipe boots crack. Termination bars work loose at walls. Water ponds in low spots and sits for days. Caulk dries out at the counter flashing and edge metal. The good news is simple. Almost all of this is routine commercial roof repair. EPDM takes a patch well. It accepts new flashing without a fight. That is a real edge over some other membranes when the roof is otherwise sound.
Our EPDM Process
We start with a full roof survey. We map the field, the seams, the penetrations, the drains, and the equipment curbs. We test seams by hand where we suspect failure. We check the drains. We look for signs of ponding. We core the roof when we need to know what is under the membrane. You cannot design a replacement without that. For repairs, we clean and prime the area first. Then we patch it with the right adhesive or tape. Compatibility matters here. Products made for TPO or PVC will not bond to EPDM. Sometimes the better answer is neither a patch nor a tear-off but commercial roof coatings and restoration over a sound membrane. For a replacement, we first decide between tear-off and recover. Code and deck condition drive that call. Then we spec the insulation, the attachment method, and the membrane thickness. We match those to your building and your wind exposure. Edge metal, curb flashings, and drain details are part of the scope. They are not extras. We also photograph everything. You get the same images we work from. That record matters if the roof later becomes part of a claim.
Why Choose STX Roofing
We are a veteran-owned commercial and residential contractor based in Huffman. Russell Mullin, our founder, is a U.S. Air Force veteran who worked in insurance adjusting before starting this company. On commercial storm claims that background is worth having, because membrane damage is routinely underscoped when the adjuster is not familiar with the system. We are bondable to $750,000 and carry an A+ rating with the BBB. Commercial work and repairs carry a two-year warranty. We hold GAF Master Elite and CertainTeed ShingleMaster certifications. We do not waive deductibles and we do not accept assignment of benefits. We are also happy to give a second opinion. If another contractor told you the roof is done, let us core it first. Sometimes they are right. Often they are not.
Buildings and Areas
We Serve
We work on EPDM roofs across Greater Houston and Southeast Texas, including Houston, Huffman, Humble, Atascocita, Kingwood, Crosby, Baytown, Deer Park, La Porte, Pasadena, Spring, and Conroe. Typical EPDM buildings in this market are warehouses, distribution facilities, light manufacturing, retail strip centers, schools, churches, medical offices, and multi-family properties. Older EPDM installations from the 1990s and early 2000s are now well into the range where seams and flashings need attention even when the membrane itself has life left. That is usually a restoration conversation rather than a replacement conversation. Our shop is in Huffman at 25419 FM 2100 Rd. Commercial surveys are scheduled, and we can usually get out within a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an EPDM roof last?
Service life depends on thickness, attachment method, maintenance, and foot traffic. Thicker membranes and fully adhered systems generally outlast thinner mechanically attached ones. Regular inspection of seams and flashings extends the life of any EPDM roof substantially.
Is EPDM better than TPO?
Neither is universally better. EPDM handles movement and repairs well and has a long field record. TPO is heat-welded and reflective out of the box. The right choice depends on your building, your budget, and how much cooling load matters to you.
Can a black EPDM roof be made reflective?
Yes. Reflective coatings can be applied over sound EPDM, and white EPDM formulations exist. Coating an existing roof is often the most cost-effective way to reduce heat gain without a full replacement.
Can EPDM be repaired or does it need replacing?
EPDM is one of the most repairable commercial membranes. Seams, punctures, and flashings can be patched with compatible materials. Replacement becomes the answer when the insulation is saturated or the membrane has shrunk badly.
Does ponding water damage EPDM?
EPDM tolerates ponding better than several alternatives, but water standing longer than 48 hours still accelerates seam and adhesive failure and adds structural load. We look at drainage as part of every survey.
Do you offer commercial roof maintenance programs?
Yes. Scheduled inspection and maintenance is the least expensive thing you can do for a single-ply roof, because it catches seam and flashing failures before water reaches the insulation.
Can EPDM be installed over an existing roof?
Sometimes. Code limits how many roof layers a building can carry. The existing insulation also has to be dry. We take core samples before we recommend a recover.
How quickly can you respond to a commercial leak?
We are available around the clock for active leaks. Temporary measures go in first to stop the water. The permanent repair follows once we can see the roof dry.
Ready to Get Started?
EPDM is a workhorse membrane, and most EPDM roofs we look at have more life in them than the building owner expects. Call STX Roofing at (281) 601-7663 or request a commercial roof inspection. We will survey the seams, flashings, and drainage, show you photos, and give you an honest repair-or-replace recommendation. Veteran-owned, bondable to $750,000, and based in Huffman.
