The insurance thing is annoying though, I’ll give you that.
That’s actually what pushed me away from torch-down. My last place had it, and when I shopped for new coverage, the premium jumped way up just because of the install method—even though the roof itself was in great shape. I get that a pro crew lowers the risk, but one mistake and you’re looking at a huge problem. Switched to TPO this time around. Not perfect, but my rates stayed reasonable and repairs are less nerve-wracking for me.
- Had a similar experience with torch-down on a flat roof after a hailstorm—insurance flagged it right away.
- Adjuster basically told me the fire risk during install was their main concern, not the roof’s actual condition.
- Ended up patching it myself once and was sweating bullets the whole time... one wrong move with the torch and you’re in trouble.
- Switched to EPDM later. Not perfect either, but insurance didn’t blink and repairs are way less stressful.
- Still wonder if torch-down is worth the hassle unless you’ve got a crew that really knows what they’re doing.
Interesting take, but I’d actually argue torch-down still has its place—especially on older commercial buildings where you need that extra waterproofing. Yeah, fire risk is real, but with the right crew and fire watches, it’s manageable. EPDM’s easier for DIY, but I’ve seen it puncture way too easily in hail-prone areas. Ever had issues with seams lifting on EPDM after a couple freeze-thaw cycles?
Yeah, I’ve seen those EPDM seams start to curl up after a rough winter—especially on buildings that don’t get much sun. It’s not always a disaster, but it’s annoying and you end up chasing leaks. Torch-down does make me nervous with the fire risk, but I get why folks still use it for old flat roofs. Around here, hail just chews up EPDM unless you’re really careful with what’s on top of it. Neither option feels perfect, honestly... just depends what headaches you’re willing to deal with.
Yeah, torch-down always makes me a little twitchy—seen too many close calls with old wood decks and a distracted crew. But EPDM isn’t exactly bulletproof either, especially after a couple hailstorms. Sometimes it feels like you’re just picking your poison with flat roofs.