A stain shows up on a ceiling tile over the front counter, and now you’re moving stock, putting out buckets and wondering what the next storm will do. If you own or manage a building, you need commercial roofing Orlando businesses can actually plan around. That means a clear answer on what’s wrong, what it’ll take to fix and how long your business has to work around the crew. Nobody wants to hear “it needs a whole new roof” without seeing the proof.
That’s a fair thing to ask for. A leak over a business is about more than drywall. It can shut down a register, ruin inventory or send employees home.
APC Roofing is a GAF Certified contractor, licensed in Florida (CCC1337030) and insured. We inspect and estimate commercial roofs for free. Call 407-270-1129 and a roofer will walk your whole roof, from the drains to the edge metal.
What Orlando’s weather does to a commercial roof
Most commercial buildings here have a flat or low-slope roof: a big surface with a gentle pitch, covered by a membrane instead of shingles. Central Florida is tough on that kind of roof.
The sun beats on it nearly every day of the year. UV and heat dry out membranes, crack sealant at the seams and bake the caulk around rooftop units. Then the summer storms come through most afternoons with heavy, wind-driven rain. A low-slope roof has to move a lot of water fast, and a drain clogged with leaves or a plastic bag lets it pond. Standing water that’s still there two days after a storm usually means a low spot or a blocked drain, and it adds weight the structure wasn’t built to carry for long.
Hurricane season runs June through November. On a flat roof, wind pulls hardest at the corners and edges, so loose edge metal or a weak fastening pattern is where a blow-off tends to start. That’s why the perimeter gets close attention on every Orlando inspection.
Commercial roof systems we work on
The right system depends on your building, how it’s used and how long you plan to own it. Here’s what APC installs and repairs:
- TPO. A single-ply white membrane with heat-welded seams. The white surface reflects a lot of the Florida sun, which can help with cooling. See our TPO roofing in Orlando page.
- EPDM. A rubber membrane with taped seams that’s been used on commercial roofs for decades. More on our EPDM roofing in Orlando page.
- Built-up roofing (BUR). Layers of felt and asphalt, often topped with gravel. Heavy and tough.
- Metal. Standing seam or exposed-fastener panels, common on warehouses, shops and some offices.
- Shingles on steep-slope commercial buildings. Plenty of smaller offices, clinics and churches have a pitched shingle roof, and those are covered too.
If your building has a restaurant in it, mention that when you call. Grease from kitchen exhaust fans breaks down some membranes over time, and the area around the hoods may need a different material or extra protection.
Repair, recover or full reroof
This is the decision that matters most to your budget, and it shouldn’t be made from the parking lot.
A roof that’s mostly sound with a few open seams or a bad flashing around a unit often just needs targeted repairs. Our commercial roof repair in Orlando team handles that work.
When the membrane is worn out but the insulation under it is still dry, a recover may be an option. A new membrane goes over the old one with a cover board in between. Building code generally allows that over only one existing roof, and only when what’s underneath is dry.
Wet insulation changes the answer. Soaked foam loses most of its insulating value, adds weight and can rust a steel deck. If a moisture scan and test cuts show wet areas across a big part of the roof, a full tear-off is usually the honest call. That also lets the crew inspect the deck, replace any damaged sections and add tapered insulation to get water moving toward the drains. For a new system from the deck up, see commercial roof installation in Orlando.
Whichever way it goes, you’ll see photos and a roof plan with the problem areas marked, so you can judge the call yourself.
Keeping your business open during the work
Your business probably can’t close for a roof. So the job gets planned around you. The loudest work, like fastening into a steel deck, gets scheduled with whoever runs the building. Air intakes near the work area can be covered for the day so primer and adhesive smells stay outside.
Only as much old roof comes off as the crew can close up before dark, and the forecast gets checked every morning. In an Orlando summer, that can mean starting early to finish a section before the afternoon storm.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 407-270-1129 or request a free online estimate.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You get a written report with photos, a marked-up roof plan and our recommendation, whether that’s repair, recover or replacement. You decide what happens next.
- Get the work done and the site cleaned up. The crew works on the schedule you agreed to, clears debris by chute into a dumpster and leaves the roof and the grounds clean.
If your roof took storm damage, we’ll document it and provide an estimate you can share with your insurance adjuster. You file your own claim and you pay your own deductible. Financing is available through partners including Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
Questions about commercial roofing in Orlando
How often should a commercial roof be inspected?
Twice a year is a good rhythm, usually before and after hurricane season, plus a check after any storm with high wind. Clearing drains and catching an open seam early costs far less than chasing a leak inside.
Why does my roof leak in a different spot from the stain?
Water can travel a long way on a low-slope roof. It runs along the ribs of a steel deck or between insulation boards before it drips. Finding the real entry point means checking seams, curbs and drains upslope of the stain.
Can you put a new roof over my old one?
Sometimes. A recover can work over one existing roof when the insulation underneath is dry. If it’s wet, the wet material has to come out first.
Do you work on shingle roofs on commercial buildings?
Yes. Many smaller commercial buildings in Orlando have pitched shingle roofs, and you can have those installed or repaired along with flat and metal roofs.
A roof you can stop thinking about
Small leaks on a commercial roof rarely stay small. Water gets into the insulation, then the deck, then the space your customers walk through, and a one-day repair turns into a much bigger project.
Once your roof is sound, the next afternoon storm is just weather. The drains move water, the ceiling stays clean and you can get back to running your business. Call 407-270-1129 to book your free commercial roof inspection, or start with our free online estimate.
