Flat roofs are a popular choice for many commercial and industrial buildings throughout Los Angeles, from downtown high-rises to warehouses in the San Fernando Valley and retail spaces in Santa Monica. While they offer excellent space efficiency and design versatility, they also come with one critical challenge: drainage. When a flat roof develops leaks and areas of ponding water, the building owner faces a tough question: should the roof be completely torn off, or will a flat roof repair restore it?
At Shark Commercial Roofing Systems, our answer often depends on the condition of the existing roof and the structural integrity beneath. To learn more, call 213-466-0074 and speak with an expert.
Flat Roof Repair: Tackling Ponding Water with Custom Solutions
Case Study
Recently, our team handled a prime repair or replace example right here in Los Angeles where a leaking flat roof with multiple standing water areas was successfully repaired without the expense of a full tear-off.
Identifying the Problem: Leaks and Standing Water
This building had a roof plagued by frequent leaks and large areas of ponding water. In the flat roof world, ponding water is more than an eyesore. It is one of the leading causes of premature deterioration. When water sits on the surface for more than 48 hours, it can increase the risk of membrane failure, rot the underlying decking, and add unnecessary weight stress to the structure.
Instead of jumping straight into a costly roof replacement, Shark Commercial Roofing Systems performed a detailed assessment. The team identified every low spot where water was collecting and marked them out for corrective action. This careful preparation ensured that each problematic area could be permanently addressed rather than simply patched.
Customized Crickets: Redirecting Water Flow
The solution involved designing and installing custom crickets, which are sloped structures built onto the roof to divert water toward drains and away from flat, ponding zones. Unlike prefabricated inserts, these crickets were framed and tailored on site, requiring a high level of craftsmanship.
Some of these crickets stretched more than 20 feet across sections of the roof, while others filled 15-foot spans in adjacent areas. Each was carefully shaped to redirect water toward the proper drainage channels. This type of customization highlights the skill and precision needed in flat roof repair, especially in a busy urban environment like Los Angeles where rainfall can be heavy during the winter months and drainage performance is critical.
By combining multiple crickets across the rooftop, the Shark team successfully eliminated the ponding conditions that had been causing leaks for years.
Reinforcing the Roof Structure
Drainage improvements alone were not enough. The project also required reinforcing waterways and replacing damaged plywood in sections where water infiltration had weakened the substrate. This structural reinforcement ensured that the roof could continue to support HVAC equipment and foot traffic safely.
Coordination was another key factor. Because the building’s HVAC contractor was simultaneously setting new air handling units and running ductwork across the roof, Shark Commercial Roofing Systems had to carefully schedule work around other trades. Despite these challenges, the drainage improvements and structural reinforcements were completed in about five days, a quick turnaround for such extensive repairs.
The Final Phase: Coating for Long-Term Protection
Once the carpentry and framing were complete, the next step was to protect the roof with a seamless coating system. The Shark team planned a thorough cleaning and power-washing of the roof, followed by a primer application and then a silicone coating.
Silicone is highly effective for flat roof repair in Los Angeles because it provides:
- Seamless waterproofing that resists ponding water
- UV resistance, crucial under Southern California’s intense sun
- Energy efficiency, helping reduce heat absorption and cooling costs
- Extended service life, giving building owners peace of mind without the cost of a full replacement
Once the HVAC installation was complete, the final silicone coat would be applied, creating a durable, watertight system designed to perform for years.
Flat Roof Repair Specialists
Flat roof repair is about more than just fixing leaks. It is about diagnosing the underlying issues, whether it is ponding water, damaged substrates, or inadequate drainage, and then applying the right mix of skill and materials to solve them. In Los Angeles, where flat roofs are everywhere and sudden winter storms can create immediate problems, these solutions make all the difference.
Shark Commercial Roofing Systems specializes in delivering these customized approaches. From marking out ponding water zones to framing crickets, reinforcing waterways, and applying high-performance silicone coatings, our team ensures your roof is not only repaired but optimized for long-term protection.
Call 213-466-0074 today and schedule your personal consultation.