Service
Roof deck repair & replacement in Philadelphia
Many Philadelphia roof decks were built years ago with materials that don’t last forever on a hot, windy roof. Here is how to tell whether yours needs a repair or a rebuild.
- Free to use
- Independent Philadelphia builders
- Plain-English zoning & permit help
Warning signs
- Railings or posts that move when pushed. Treat this as urgent; railings are the deck’s main safety feature.
- Soft spots, rot or split boards, especially around posts and the pilot house door
- Rusted or loose fasteners and brackets
- Ceiling stains or leaks on the top floor
- Sleepers or pedestals sitting directly on a worn roof membrane
Repair, resurface or rebuild?
If the frame and its connections to the building are sound, replacing boards and railings may be enough. If the frame is rotted, or the roof below needs replacing, a rebuild is usually the realistic option, since the deck has to come off for the roofer anyway. Ask for both options in writing.
The roof underneath
A deck hides the roof it sits on. Angi’s Philadelphia figures put flat roof replacement at an average of about $4,098, with most owners paying $2,384–$5,813. Coordinating the roofer and the deck builder, or hiring one firm to do both, avoids paying twice to remove the deck. Roofing under the deck.
Permits for a rebuild
Replacing a roof deck is construction on a roof, and L&I’s EZ deck standard says roof decks need their own building permit. Expect your contractor to pull one. In historic districts, a visible change in railing, materials or pilot house design needs Historical Commission review.
Buying a house with a roof deck?
Ask the seller for the original building permit and any structural drawings, and have the railing connections and the roof under the deck inspected. The City has an online search for a property’s permit and license history.
Common questions
Should I replace the roof while the old deck is off?
If the roof under the deck is near the end of its life, it is usually cheaper to replace it while the deck is off than to remove a new deck later. Angi’s Philadelphia average for a flat roof replacement is about $4,098. Source: Angi: Flat roof replacement cost in Philadelphia, PA.
How high can the deck surface and railings be?
No part of the deck surface may be more than 48 inches above a plane midway between the lowest and highest points of the roof under it. Guard rails can be up to 42 inches; privacy screens up to 60 inches and no more than 50% opaque. Source: Philadelphia Zoning Code § 14-604(5): Roof Decks.
My house is in a historic district. Does deck work need review?
If the property is on the Philadelphia Register, the City lists decks among the exterior work that needs a Historical Commission project review. Staff may approve work that isn’t visible, or has limited visibility, from the street. Source: City of Philadelphia: Get approval for work to a historic property, Philadelphia Historical Commission: Rules & Regulations (PDF).