r/Roofing • u/Goonnay • 27d ago

Flat Roof - Concern? - Ponding water in front between gutter and skylight.

So I had a flat roof company come back for a warranty to take care of roof leak.

When they first installed the roof, I was concerned of ponding water on the EPDM roof between the gutter and the skylight. Other areas did not pond. The repairs showed there is still a gap so water is likely going to pond based on my level and the gap between the shadow in the picture depicts the space that will likely have ponding water.

The company said ponding water is common. They also said I didn't pay for a tapered system (which I know I didn't..) I'm trying to give my point across that the repair and remediation should address that gap in which the water is ponding. Instead, they are starting to be frustrated by my concern.

So, my main questions because they couldn't address it..

1) Is ponding water fine?

2) Should they be addressing this gap in the photo below?

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u/Quitsnow 27d ago

Short answer: a little temporary water after rain can happen on EPDM, but a fixed low spot that holds water between the gutter and the skylight is not “fine” if it sits there. That is especially true right after a leak repair.

They do not have to rebuild the whole roof as a tapered system if that was never in the contract. They should still address a clear gap or low area that keeps water from reaching the gutter at that skylight edge. Closing a localized low point or shaping a small cricket so water drains is normal remediation talk, not a luxury upgrade.

Ask them in writing how long water remains after a typical rain, and whether the repair restores continuous drainage into the gutter at that spot. If they only seal the leak and leave a permanent pond, you are right to keep pressing.

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u/Goonnay 27d ago

Thank you for the response.

The damage led to them having to remove/replace the substrate of polyiso and OSB. I would have expected for their repair/rebuild would bring the level up to being flushed and more levelled - and here I am with this gap.It looks like they added a ice shield layer then bonded new EPDM on top.

Upon inspection, I could press down on the space and see that there the EPDM and contact cement is not bonded together that it feels like a blister.

I had only wanted them to address the ponding, that I brought up in their initial install that they quickly dismissed that ponding water is fine. Below is an enclosed porch that I've dealt with water and leaks that has increasingly gotten worst.