Ridgeline Roofing & Solar was recently called to Kirby, Kansas to inspect a 60 mil TPO commercial roof on an AT&T building experiencing leaks and structural wear. Our team uncovered multiple contributing factors to the issues—highlighting the importance of timely maintenance and proper installation practices on flat commercial roofs.
Key Issues Identified:
🔹 Aging Sealant on Parapet Caps
The parapet cap covers were heavily oil canning, and the sealant was dry, cracked, and flaking—a telltale sign that the roof’s weatherproofing is beginning to fail. Over time, these gaps can allow water intrusion behind wall transitions and into interior spaces.
🔹 Unsecured Parapet Sections
Some parapet components were completely detached when we arrived. While they weren’t the source of leaks, they pose a safety concern and detract from the building’s structural integrity and security.
🔹 Cracks in Wall Corners
One leak was traced to a visible wall crack near a corner, possibly caused by settling. Though subtle, these types of stress fractures often allow water to sneak in during storms.
🔹 AC Curbs and Water Drainage
While the HVAC unit layout was well-considered, lack of proper water diversion, such as a cricket behind the unit, left areas vulnerable to standing water and future leaks.
Our Recommendation:
✅ Re-seal all parapet cap joints
✅ Secure loose parapet components
✅ Seal wall cracks and roof transitions thoroughly
✅ Evaluate additional drainage solutions around curbs
This TPO system still has some life left, but these issues—if ignored—could lead to costly interior damage. By catching them early, we’ll save the client both money and headaches.
At Ridgeline Roofing & Solar, we specialize in flat commercial roof repair, silicone coatings, and leak mitigation across Kansas and beyond. Whether you operate a small office or a national facility like AT&T, we’re here to help.
Hear Tim’s Thoughts
Video Transcript: "Hey. Tim Yates. Ridgeline Roofing and Solar. We are in Kirby, Kansas today, checking out an AT and T building that's having some leaking issues. This roof has a 60 mil TPO.
It's got some pretty tall parapets around it and a, very large can't strip. These parapet cap covers are oil canning real bad all over the whole roof, and the sealant's getting really dry and hard, and some of it's kind of flaking out. You can see some more of the oil canning here. Shouldn't do that. And, some of the parapets were missing back here when we got here.
So this was all, and we don't have it all completely fastened yet, but it's off. Gonna have to refasten all this back on. This wasn't causing any leaking. This is just kind of a keep people from getting on my roof wall, which works pretty well. But over here, this is we have a big leak here in this corner.
And when I got up here, I thought, man, that's it's gotta be leaking in that pretty good somehow. And it's got kind of a hole over here in the corner. But then if I look look down here, a big crack running down the wall. I see that quite a bit, but it's I don't know. I guess it's a product of settling.
And we're probably just gonna come in and seal up all of it just to make sure that we get it taken care of because this isn't right next door to home. We've got these AC units sitting on these curves. I don't mind the way they did this. It's actually kinda nice. I don't like the water stop here.
It shoulda had maybe a small cricket here. Other than that, it's it's really not too bad of a setup for AC units on a roof, because sometimes they they really don't belong how they do them. So, anyway, we're gonna get this taken care of. Everybody have a good day. Thanks."