Roof shape and details
Roof area, penetrations, perimeter edges and connections to walls affect the layout and the amount of detail work.
PARAGON ROOFING BC · FLAT & LOW-SLOPE ROOFS
EPDM roofing
in Burnaby
Repair the problem. Plan the right roof.
EPDM is a synthetic rubber sheet membrane used on flat and low-slope roofs. For a Burnaby home, commercial building or strata property, its suitability depends on drainage, the supporting roof assembly, access and the details around edges, walls and rooftop equipment.
Paragon Roofing BC assesses EPDM repairs and replacement options, explains the findings and prepares a scope suited to your building. Start with the condition of the roof, then choose the system.
Reviewed by Harman Singh · Updated 6 November 2026
START WITH THE LEAK, SEAM OR DAMAGED DETAIL
EPDM roof repair in Burnaby
A leak does not automatically mean the whole roof needs replacing. A local puncture or failed seam may be repairable when the surrounding membrane and underlying materials are sound. Repeated leaks, trapped moisture or widespread deterioration need a broader investigation.
Tell us where water appears, when it happens and what has been repaired before. The visible ceiling stain may be some distance from the roof defect. We review accessible seams, flashings, penetrations and drainage, then explain what can be established and which concealed areas may need further investigation.
| Concern | What needs checking | How it affects the decision |
|---|---|---|
| Open seam or puncture | The extent of damage, surrounding membrane condition and previous patches. | A compatible local repair may be possible if the supporting assembly remains sound. |
| Leak beside a vent, wall or edge | Flashing, terminations, movement and connections to adjoining materials. | The detail may need rebuilding rather than another surface patch. |
| Water that remains after rain | Drain openings, debris, low spots, overflows and the route water takes. | Clearing an obstruction or redesigning drainage may be part of the scope. |
| Repeated leaks or soft areas | Moisture below the membrane, deck condition and the limits of a surface inspection. | Further investigation and removal of affected materials may be needed before choosing a repair or replacement. |
For an active leak
Call 604 358 3436 to discuss the problem and current response availability. Send photographs taken from a safe location. Avoid climbing onto a wet roof or applying an unknown sealant before the membrane and repair products have been identified.
TELL US WHAT YOU HAVE NOTICED
Arrange the next assessment step
Include your Burnaby address, building type, leak history and whether you are considering repair or replacement. If you know the existing membrane or have a previous report, mention it in the details field.
We will discuss access, the assessment scope, any applicable fee and availability before arranging a visit.
LOOK AT THE COMPLETE ROOF ASSEMBLY
When is EPDM worth considering?
EPDM can suit a flat or low-slope roof where the deck, insulation, attachment and flashing details support the chosen system. It is a membrane option for homes, commercial buildings and strata properties; it is not a substitute for correcting drainage or repairing a damaged deck.
Drainage and exposure
Review where water collects and how it reaches drains or scuppers. Wind exposure and the supporting structure also affect the assembly.
Use and access
Equipment servicing and regular foot traffic need planned access and protection. An occupied roof deck requires a purpose-designed assembly.
Explore the wider Burnaby flat-roofing options or return to our Burnaby roofing services overview.
COMPARE THE SYSTEM AND THE DETAILS
EPDM, TPO or torch-on?
Each system needs a sound substrate, suitable attachment, planned drainage and carefully completed flashings. The proposal should identify the actual products and assembly, not just a membrane name.
| System | Main distinction | Questions for the proposal |
|---|---|---|
| EPDM rubber membrane | Synthetic rubber sheets with system-specific seam tapes, adhesives and flashing components. | Attachment method, substrate compatibility, seam preparation, penetrations and protection where people access equipment. |
| TPO roofing | A thermoplastic sheet membrane with heat-welded seams. | Membrane selection, weld quality, attachment, insulation and the details around equipment and edges. |
| Torch-on SBS roofing | A modified-bitumen membrane assembly with torch-applied layers and details specified for the system. | Layer build-up, substrate, fire precautions, flashing transitions and drainage. |
A documented SBS alternative
The photographs below show Paragon’s torch-on SBS project on Massey Street in New Westminster. They illustrate the roof field, penetrations and perimeter details discussed when comparing flat-roof systems. They are an SBS project example, not an EPDM installation in Burnaby.
FROM FIRST CONTACT TO COMPLETION
Planning an EPDM installation or replacement
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Assess the existing roof
Review the roof covering, accessible deck and insulation condition, leak history, drainage and access. Explain any investigation needed to assess concealed materials.
-
Agree the roof assembly
Specify the membrane, attachment, insulation, cover board where needed, flashings and drainage work. Confirm removal, exclusions and how additional deck or moisture damage will be documented and approved.
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Coordinate the work
Plan deliveries, safe access, property protection, temporary weather protection and occupied areas. Prepare the substrate and install the membrane and details to the selected manufacturer's requirements.
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Review the completed scope
Check the agreed work and cleanup, discuss ongoing roof care and provide the applicable warranty information. Keep the proposal, photographs and repair records together for future maintenance.
EPDM assemblies may be fully adhered, mechanically attached or ballasted. These are system design options, not interchangeable installation choices. Deck capacity, wind design, the manufacturer's requirements and the building determine what can be proposed.
REPAIR, RECOVER OR REMOVE
Can the existing roof stay?
A recover means installing a new roof assembly over an existing one. It should only be considered after reviewing existing layers, moisture, deck condition, attachment, compatibility and the applicable design and approval requirements.
Do not assume a new rubber membrane can simply cover an old asphalt or coated roof. Separation layers and the complete assembly must follow the selected system's requirements.
When removal becomes important
Wet insulation, deteriorated decking and unsuitable underlying materials can change the scope. Covering them does not solve the underlying problem. The investigation should establish what needs removing and what can remain.
Set out the decision in writing
Your proposal should distinguish a local repair, partial replacement and full replacement. If a recover is considered, ask what checks support that choice, what conditions remain unconfirmed and which warranty terms apply.
COMPARE LIKE-FOR-LIKE SCOPES
What affects the cost of EPDM roofing?
A useful quote starts with the roof and required work. A generic square-foot price can leave out removal, damaged materials, access or drainage changes that make a substantial difference to the project.
The roof itself
- Roof area, shape and number of penetrations.
- Existing layers and the amount of removal and disposal.
- Deck repairs, wet insulation and required substrate preparation.
- Insulation, cover board and attachment specification.
The site and scope
- Access, staging, lifting and property protection.
- Wall, curb, skylight and perimeter flashing details.
- Drainage corrections and connections to other roof areas.
- Occupied-building coordination, permits and design requirements where applicable.
Ask for the included roof areas, exclusions, taxes, payment terms and written warranty conditions. Confirm the process for approving concealed damage before work begins.
CARE BETWEEN ROOFING PROJECTS
Keep drainage and details in view
Arrange appropriate roof inspections and maintenance, especially when leaks appear or rooftop work may have disturbed the membrane. Keep a record of repairs and ask anyone servicing equipment to protect the roofing.
Debris at drains, damaged flashings, lifted seams and new punctures deserve attention. Persistent standing water should be assessed for its cause rather than treated as a problem that another coating will automatically fix.
Use compatible repair products
EPDM repair materials must suit the existing membrane and the manufacturer's system. Surface preparation matters. An unidentified patch or coating can make later diagnosis and repair more difficult.
Plan work around people
For strata and commercial buildings, identify who coordinates access, resident or tenant notices, equipment work and approval of changes. Discuss odours, deliveries and occupied areas before installation begins.
ANSWERS FOR BURNABY PROPERTY OWNERS
EPDM roofing questions
Can an EPDM roof be repaired instead of replaced?
Often a local defect can be repaired if the surrounding membrane and supporting assembly are sound. Repeated leaks, trapped moisture or widespread deterioration need a broader assessment. The recommendation should explain the defect, repair limits and any further investigation required.
Is EPDM suitable for a house, commercial building or strata property?
It can be suitable for flat and low-slope roof areas on these properties. The roof assembly, drainage, wind exposure, access and details determine suitability. An occupied deck or heavily trafficked area needs a specifically designed assembly and protection.
Is EPDM the same as a liquid roof coating?
No. This page concerns EPDM sheet membrane roofing. A coating is a separate product and process. Do not assume that a product described as liquid rubber is compatible with an existing EPDM roof or that it will correct wet insulation or drainage problems.
How long does an EPDM roof last?
There is no single service-life promise that applies to every EPDM roof. The product, supporting assembly, installation details, exposure, drainage and care all affect performance. Assess the actual condition and review the written warranty for the proposed system.
Do I need a permit for EPDM roof replacement in Burnaby?
Permit requirements depend on the scope. Structural changes, alterations to the roof assembly and broader building work need particular attention. Confirm the requirements for your property and proposal with the City of Burnaby Building Department before work starts; do not assume every roofing project has the same permit requirements.
Can EPDM be installed over the existing roof?
Only if an assessment and the applicable system requirements support a recover. Existing layers, moisture, deck condition, attachment and material compatibility must be reviewed. Wet or deteriorated materials may need removal, and the proposal should explain what remains and why.
Will a new membrane fix standing water?
A membrane replacement alone does not necessarily change how the roof drains. Obstructions, low spots, drain locations and overflow routes need assessment. Where drainage changes are needed, include the design and associated work in the scope.
What warranty comes with the work?
Ask for the workmanship and manufacturer warranty documents that apply to the actual repair or replacement. Scope, exclusions, maintenance duties and any registration or inspection requirements should be clear before you commit. A product warranty and a workmanship warranty cover different things.
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES
Hear from Paragon customers
Read the customer reviews below or visit our roofing reviews page. Discuss references relevant to the work you are planning.
LET’S REVIEW YOUR ROOF
Discuss EPDM roofing in Burnaby
Tell us about the building, current roof and the issue you want to address. Our in-house crews carry out the roofing work, with owner involvement and a written scope agreed before the project proceeds.
Use the form below, contact Paragon Roofing BC or call 604 358 3436. Sending an enquiry does not confirm an appointment or emergency response time.
BURNABY SERVICE AREA
Roofing enquiries across Burnaby
Contact us for properties in Metrotown, Brentwood, Burnaby Heights, Capitol Hill, Edmonds and elsewhere in Burnaby. Share the exact address so we can discuss access and current availability. This map shows the service area.
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