# TPO roofing, flat roof repair and commercial roof coatings

> TPO roofing, flat roof repair and commercial roof coatings for East and Middle Tennessee from a GAF GoldElite Commercial contractor with two offices.

Canonical page: https://www.mobleybros.com/commercial-roofing/

Mobley Brothers Roofing & Renovation (Mobley Brothers Roofing & Renovation LLC) is a family-owned and veteran-owned roofing and renovation contractor founded in 2007 by brothers Mike and David Mobley, with offices in Lebanon (112 Tirzah Street, Lebanon, TN 37087, (615) 455-3131) and Knoxville (10440 Laurel Pointe Lane, Knoxville, TN 37931, (865) 205-0800). Tennessee contractor license 59116. GAF Master Elite residential contractor, GAF GoldElite Commercial contractor, HAAG Certified Inspector (residential), certified FORTIFIED Roof installer, BBB Accredited with an A+ rating. Google rating 4.9 from 94 reviews (Lebanon) and 4.9 from 286 reviews (Knoxville). Hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week; Calls answered or returned day or night.

TPO roofing, flat roof repair and commercial roof coatings for churches, schools and commercial buildings across East and Middle Tennessee, with repair judgment first.

Mobley Brothers Roofing & Renovation has worked on commercial roofs since 2007, when brothers Mike and David Mobley started the company. Most of the flat and low-slope roofs we see are TPO or EPDM membranes, and many older buildings have a mix: a flat section over the fellowship hall, shingles on the sanctuary, metal on an addition. We look at the whole building, because water does not care where one system ends and the next begins.

Our approach on a commercial roof is the same one we use on a house. If a leak can be repaired, we repair it. If a membrane has life left, a coating may buy years of it. If the roof is done, we tell you plainly and put a new system on paper with photos that show why. Our Knoxville office in Hardin Valley and our Lebanon office both handle commercial work, so a building owner in either region deals with a local team and a family name that stays accountable.

## A commercial roofing contractor for TPO roofing and flat roof systems

Commercial roofing is a different job from residential roofing. The roofs are larger, the slopes are low, and the details that fail are usually seams, penetrations, drains and the edges where the membrane meets a wall. On a flat roof, a small opening can let water travel a long way under the membrane before it shows up as a ceiling stain, so the stain is rarely right under the problem.

Both offices take commercial roofing work. Our commercial jobs are run by a foreman who handles commercial work, and he looks at each roof the same way our repairmen look at a house: find the real problem first, then decide whether it needs a repair, a coating or a new system. The Knoxville business is listed by GAF as a GoldElite Commercial contractor, and the company also holds GAF Master Elite residential status, Tennessee contractor license 59116 and a BBB A+ rating.

Most of our commercial calls come from people who already know someone we have worked for. A property manager hears that we fixed the leak on a neighboring building, or a church member mentions that we put the roof on their church. We think that is how commercial roofing should work: by doing what we said we would do and earning the next call.

## Commercial roof services, from flat roof repair to full replacement

### Flat roof repair and leak repair

Flat roof repair is where most commercial relationships start. We trace the leak, open up what needs opening, and repair the membrane, flashing, seam or penetration that is letting water in. If a repair will only hold for a season, we say so and tell you what the next step should be.

### Commercial roof coatings

A coating is an alternative to replacement for a TPO or EPDM roof that is aging but still sound. It adds a new weathering surface over the old membrane and can come with a manufacturer warranty.

### TPO roofing and EPDM installation

When a roof is past repair or coating, we quote a new single-ply system, most often TPO. We also install EPDM and work with PVC membranes, and we can recover a ribbed metal roof by adding rib filler before the new membrane goes down.

### Commercial metal roofing

We install commercial standing-seam metal and repair older metal roofs, including cutting crickets into existing metal around columns and other obstructions so water is steered away instead of held.

## How we assess a flat or low-slope roof

### Measure and walk the roof

We start with a satellite measurement, then get on the roof in person. A drawing tells us the size; only a walk tells us about soft spots, open seams, ponding and old patches.

### Trace the water

We check the areas that fail most on low-slope roofs: seams, pipe and vent penetrations, rooftop unit curbs, drains, scuppers, parapet walls and edge metal. When we can, we look at the underside from inside the building too.

### Photograph what we find

You get photos of each problem, so the owner, the manager and anyone else who has to approve the work can see what we saw without climbing a ladder.

### Put the options in writing

We send an electronic written proposal with terms and conditions. Where a coating or a repair is a reasonable choice, we lay it out next to replacement so you can weigh the cost against the years each option buys.

## TPO, EPDM, coatings and commercial metal compared

Every building starts with what the architect originally specified, and the right system depends on the structure, the slope, the drainage and how long the owner plans to keep the building. This is how we explain the main options to building owners.

| System | What it is | Where we use it |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TPO roofing | A single-ply thermoplastic membrane with heat-welded seams, usually white | Our most common choice for new flat and low-slope roofs, and for recovering ribbed metal roofs over rib filler |
| EPDM | A single-ply rubber membrane with glued or taped seams | Repairing and maintaining existing rubber roofs, and new installs where it suits the building |
| Commercial roof coatings | A fluid-applied surface over an existing TPO or EPDM membrane | Aging but sound membranes, when the owner wants added life and a warranty without a tear-off |
| Commercial metal | Standing-seam metal panels, plus repairs to older exposed-fastener metal | Pitched commercial roofs, additions and buildings with mixed roof sections |
| PVC | A single-ply thermoplastic membrane similar to TPO | Offered as a commercial system; we will tell you if it fits your building |

## How a TPO or EPDM roof goes on

TPO installation starts with the deck: we clean and prepare it so there is no debris, moisture or cracking, then roll out the membrane and fit it to every curb and edge. The sheets are fastened mechanically to the substrate and every seam is heat-welded, so the finished roof is one continuous waterproof surface rather than a set of overlaps.

EPDM uses the same deck preparation. The rubber membrane is then either mechanically fastened or fully adhered, depending on the roof, with the edges and seams sealed with adhesive and seam tape to form the water barrier.

On either system the details decide the result. Curbs, drains, pipe penetrations and the terminations at parapet walls are flashed and sealed before anyone calls the roof done, because that is where the leaks we get called about almost always start.

## When commercial roof coatings make sense

We have applied commercial roof coatings in both Middle Tennessee and Knoxville. A coating is a good alternative when an existing TPO or EPDM roof is showing its age but the membrane and the insulation under it are still in decent shape. It gives the owner a new surface, extra years of service and a warranty, without the cost and disruption of tearing the roof off.

Warranty length depends on the coating system and how thick it goes on. Applied at the required thickness, a coating can carry a 15-year warranty, and that is what one building owner received on a recent coating job. We had repaired that roof for three or four years before we told the manager it was time to do something bigger, laid out the options of a new roof or a coating, and the owner chose the coating. We sent photos of the finished roof, and the leaks stopped.

A coating is not the answer for every roof. If water is trapped in the insulation, if the membrane is shrinking away from the walls, or if the deck is soft, a coating only hides the problem. In that case we recommend replacement and show you the photos that explain why.

## Commercial roof maintenance plans that head off leaks

A commercial roof maintenance plan puts that on a schedule. Most plans call for a visit in spring and in fall, with a check after any major storm; some owners prefer quarterly. Each visit covers drains and gutters, seams, joints and fasteners, flashing and penetrations, HVAC curbs and vents, and the minor repairs we can make on the spot, and it ends with a written report with photos and recommendations so you can budget. Many manufacturer warranties require documented maintenance, and that report is the documentation. Tell us the building's hours and we plan the visit around them where we can. Plans are customized to the roof, and plan customers get priority status when a repair comes up.

Most commercial roof problems grow slowly. Leaves and debris collect around drains and hold water. Sealant at penetrations dries out. A contractor installs a new rooftop unit and leaves a curb poorly flashed. Leaks around AC units are some of the most common commercial calls we get, especially as a roof gets older.

A regular look at the roof catches these while they are still small repairs. We clear debris from drains and valleys, check seams and flashing, look at the areas around rooftop equipment, and send photos of anything that needs attention. For owners who lease their buildings, that record also helps when a tenant reports a leak and everyone wants to know what the roof has been through.

- Keep drains, scuppers and gutters clear, especially after leaf fall
- Have the roof checked after major wind or hail
- Ask any trade working on the roof to report what they cut or moved
- Watch for ceiling stains, musty smells and water near exterior walls

## Signs a flat roof needs repair, a coating or replacement

Leaks that come back after they were patched, more frequent leaks in more places, and leaks around rooftop units are the signs we hear about most. On the roof itself, look for blisters, open or lifting seams, membrane that has pulled away from walls, and water that sits long after a rain.

A single leak on a roof with good membrane is a flat roof repair. Widespread wear on a membrane that is still dry underneath points toward a coating. Wet insulation, a soft deck or repeated failures across the roof point toward replacement. We will tell you which one we see and why, and we will not push a new roof onto a building that only needs a repair.

## GAF GoldElite Commercial credentials and a name behind the work

GAF lists the Knoxville business as a GoldElite Commercial contractor, and the company is a GAF Master Elite residential contractor. Both recognitions come from the manufacturer, and GAF backs the warranties on the systems we install. We are fully licensed and insured under Tennessee contractor license 59116, and the company is BBB Accredited with an A+ rating, with BBB profiles for both offices.

Credentials matter, but so does who answers the phone. Mike Mobley runs the Knoxville office and David Mobley runs the Lebanon office. They still work in the business every day, and when something needs to be made right, they make it right.

## TPO roofing, flat roof repair and coatings from two offices

Whether you manage one building or several, we can help with TPO roofing, flat roof repair and commercial roof coatings anywhere our two offices serve. Call our Lebanon office at (615) 455-3131 for Middle Tennessee or our Knoxville office at (865) 205-0800 for East Tennessee, and we will set up a time to walk the roof and show you what we find.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can a flat roof be repaired instead of replaced?

Yes, in many cases a flat roof can be repaired. If the leak comes from a seam, a penetration, a drain or a piece of flashing, and the rest of the membrane is sound, a repair is the right call. We only recommend replacement when the membrane is worn out across the roof, the insulation is wet or the deck is damaged, and we show you photos of what led us there.

### What is TPO roofing, and why is it so common?

TPO roofing is a single-ply thermoplastic membrane used on flat and low-slope roofs. Its seams are heat-welded, which makes them part of the membrane instead of a glued joint, and the usual white surface reflects sunlight. It is the system we install most often on commercial buildings, and it works well for recovering an old ribbed metal roof once rib filler is added to create a flat surface.

### Do commercial roof coatings really extend a roof's life?

Commercial roof coatings can extend the life of a TPO or EPDM roof that is aging but still dry and sound underneath. The coating becomes the new weathering surface and can carry a manufacturer warranty, which can reach 15 years when the coating is applied at the required thickness. A coating will not fix wet insulation or a damaged deck, so we check for those problems before we recommend one.

### Do you work on EPDM rubber roofs?

Yes. We repair and maintain existing EPDM rubber roofs, and we install EPDM when it suits the building. Older rubber roofs often leak at seams and around penetrations where adhesives have dried out. Depending on its condition, an EPDM roof may be a candidate for a repair, a coating or a new TPO or EPDM system, and we will explain which one we recommend and why.

### Why does my flat roof leak far from where the water shows up inside?

On a flat roof, water that gets under the membrane can run along the deck or through the insulation before it finds a way into the building, so the ceiling stain is often some distance from the opening. That is why we trace leaks on the roof itself, checking seams, penetrations, rooftop unit curbs and drains, and photograph the source rather than patching the spot above the stain.

### Do you handle roofs on churches and buildings with mixed roof types?

Yes. Many churches and older commercial buildings in Tennessee have a mix of flat roofs, shingle roofs and metal on the same building. We work on all three, and we pay extra attention to the places where one roof meets another, because those transitions are where a lot of leaks start. One team looking at the whole building makes it easier to plan repairs and budgets.

### How do I get a commercial roof looked at?

Call the office closest to your building: Lebanon at (615) 455-3131 for Middle Tennessee or Knoxville at (865) 205-0800 for East Tennessee. We will set up a time to measure and walk the roof, trace any active leaks, and send you photos and a written proposal. The team offers free estimates, and the proposal lays out repair, coating or replacement options where each makes sense.

### How often should a commercial roof be inspected?

At least twice a year, spring and fall, plus a check after major wind or hail. Older roofs and roofs crowded with rooftop equipment benefit from quarterly visits, and a maintenance plan keeps that on the calendar with a written report each time and priority status if a repair is needed.

### Why does water pond on my flat roof, and does it matter?

A low-slope roof should drain within a day or two of rain. Water that stays longer usually means a clogged drain or scupper, a low spot in the deck or insulation, or a drain set too high. Ponding ages a membrane faster, adds weight and works at every seam it covers, so we clear the drain first and then look at why the water is not moving.

### Can you work around our business hours?

Tell us when the building is busiest and we plan the loud and disruptive parts around it where we can. Repairs and maintenance visits are usually quiet enough to run during the day; tear-off on an occupied building is the part we plan with you.

## What customers say

- "I have an old building with a flat roof that has the rubber material.it had leaked for years with numerous roofing companies that without success ever got it to stop leaking. I'm proud to say that on the first attempt Mike and his crew fixed it right the FIRST time,Wow no more leaks is great." (Stephen Grossbard, Google review)
- "Highly recommend for both small and large commercial jobs." (A Jennings, Google review)
- "Mobley roofing has repaired our church’s roof many times, recently they replaced the complete roof on our church and they did a excellent job, I would highly recommend them." (Bobby Watts, Google review)

## References

- National Roofing Contractors Association: https://www.nrca.net/
- Verify Tennessee contractor license 59116: https://verify.tn.gov/
- BBB profile, Knoxville office: https://www.bbb.org/us/tn/knoxville/profile/roofing-contractors/mobley-brothers-roofing-and-renovation-0533-90023708
- BBB profile, Lebanon office: https://www.bbb.org/us/tn/lebanon/profile/roofing-contractors/mobley-brothers-roofing-and-renovations-0573-37148829

## Contact

- Mobley Brothers Roofing & Renovation of Lebanon: 112 Tirzah Street, Lebanon, TN 37087. Phone (615) 455-3131.
- Mobley Brothers Roofing & Renovation of Knoxville: 10440 Laurel Pointe Lane, Knoxville, TN 37931. Phone (865) 205-0800.
- Hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Calls answered or returned day or night.
- Contact page: https://www.mobleybros.com/contact-us/