EPDM Rubber Membrane Roof Replacement and Chimney Repointing on Triple-Decker in North Providence, RI

Like most Pinnacle roofing projects, the work was completed in a single day — minimizing disruption for the property owner.

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This triple-decker at Redfern Street in North Providence needed a full roof replacement to stop persistent leaks and restore proper drainage. The existing modified bitumen roof had reached end of life, and during the tear-off, the crew discovered previously blocked roof drains — a common problem on multi-family flat roofs that accelerates water damage and shortens the life of every component above the deck.

Pinnacle Roofing & Skylights removed the old system and installed a modern EPDM rubber membrane roof — a single-ply system engineered specifically for low-slope and flat applications. The crew also cleared the blocked drains and repointed the chimney, ensuring that every potential leak source was addressed in one visit.

Scope of Work

The crew stripped the existing modified bitumen roof down to the deck, inspected the sheathing for moisture damage, cleared the blocked roof drains, and installed a full Elevate RubberGard EPDM membrane system. Flashing details at the parapet walls, pipe penetrations, and drain openings were all addressed with factory-made accessories for a watertight seal. The chimney was repointed with fresh mortar to eliminate a secondary source of water intrusion. The result is a clean, fully adhered membrane system with restored drainage across the entire roof plane.

What We Installed (And Why)

EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is the most widely specified single-ply membrane for low-slope roofing in the Northeast. It handles freeze-thaw cycling, ponding water, and UV exposure without cracking or splitting. Unlike modified bitumen, which relies on multiple overlapping layers and torch-applied seams, EPDM uses chemically bonded seams that create a continuous waterproof membrane across the entire roof. For a triple-decker in North Providence — where the roof protects three separate living spaces — that kind of system-wide reliability matters.

Pinnacle selected the Elevate RubberGard EPDM system for this project. Elevate (formerly Firestone Building Products) is the original manufacturer of single-ply EPDM roofing membranes and offers some of the longest track records in the industry. The system carries a manufacturer warranty and, when installed by a qualified contractor, provides decades of low-maintenance performance.

Project Photo Gallery

Overview of the completed EPDM membrane installation on the triple-decker at Redfern Street.

Parapet wall flashing detail — fully adhered membrane termination for a watertight perimeter.

Chimney repointing — fresh mortar joints replace deteriorated material to stop water intrusion.

Clean, continuous seam lines across the completed EPDM membrane.

Pipe penetration detail with factory-made EPDM boot for a permanent seal.

Parapet edge detail showing the membrane termination and metal drip edge.

The finished membrane surface — smooth, fully adhered, with proper drainage slope maintained.

Final view of the completed project — new EPDM membrane and repointed chimney ready for decades of service.

Good To Know

EPDM membranes and traditional asphalt shingles are designed for completely different roof profiles. Asphalt shingles rely on gravity and overlap to shed water — they need a minimum roof pitch (typically 4:12 or steeper) to function. On a flat or low-slope roof like this triple-decker, water doesn’t run off quickly enough for shingles to work. EPDM solves this by creating a continuous, watertight membrane that handles ponding water without issue. The chemically bonded seams are stronger than the membrane itself, so even standing water at drain areas won’t find a way through. For any roof with a pitch below 2:12, a membrane system like EPDM is the correct choice — and it’s what building codes require.

Why This Approach Works

Replacing a flat roof on a multi-family building means protecting multiple households, not just one. The Elevate EPDM system gives the property owner a single continuous membrane with no exposed seams, no torch-applied layers, and no annual coating maintenance. Combined with clearing the blocked drains and repointing the chimney, this project addressed every water intrusion pathway in a single visit. The result is a roof that drains properly, seals completely, and should perform for decades with minimal upkeep.

Why Pinnacle

Pinnacle Roofing handles both steep-slope shingle roofs and low-slope membrane systems — not every roofing contractor does both. Flat roof work requires different materials, different techniques, and different manufacturer certifications than residential shingle installation. Pinnacle’s experience with Elevate EPDM systems means the details get done right: proper adhesion, factory accessories at every penetration, and correct drain integration. Whether it’s a residential roof replacement or a multi-family flat roof, the standard stays the same. With over 100 five-star Google reviews and an A+ BBB rating, our track record speaks for itself.

North Providence, RI

North Providence is a densely developed community just north of Providence with a mix of multi-family homes, single-family neighborhoods, and commercial properties. Triple-deckers are common here — and flat roof maintenance on these buildings is critical because one roof protects three households. Pinnacle has completed numerous roofing projects throughout North Providence and understands the specific challenges of multi-family flat roof work in this area. See our North Providence roofing page for more on how we serve this community.