In short
A flat roof fails at its edges and its joints long before the middle gives up, which is why patching one rarely holds. We strip back to the deck, check the fall so water actually runs off, then re-cover in EPDM rubber, fibreglass or felt depending on the roof. On most extensions and garages it is a one or two day job.
Signs you need flat roofing
- Standing water still sitting on the roof days after rain
- Moss and grit collecting in the low spots
- The covering has gone brittle, or has split along a seam
- Edge trims lifting away from the fascia
- Blisters or bubbles under the surface
- A damp patch on the ceiling of the room below
What the job involves
Check the fall before anything else
A flat roof is not flat, it has a slight fall so water leaves. If it is ponding, re-covering it without correcting the deck just buries the problem.
Strip to the deck
The old covering comes off entirely. Soft or rotten boards get replaced, because a new membrane over a soft deck will fail at exactly the same spot.
Pick the right system
EPDM rubber goes down in a single sheet with no seams across the field, which is why it suits extensions and garages. Fibreglass gives a harder wearing finish where a roof gets walked on. Felt still has its place. We will explain which we are recommending and why.
Dress the edges and the upstands
Most flat roofs leak at the perimeter, so the detail where the covering meets the wall or the trim is where the care goes.
Test and clear down
Water is run onto the roof before we leave so you can see it drains where it should.
Want someone to take a look?
Send a photograph of the problem and you will get a straight answer on what it needs, at no cost.
Flat Roofing near you
Frequently asked questions
How long does an EPDM flat roof last?
A well laid rubber roof on a sound deck is a long term covering rather than a patch. Manufacturers quote decades. The deck underneath and the edge detailing matter more than the sheet itself, which is why we do not cut corners on either.
Can you go over the top of the old roof?
We would not recommend it. You cannot see the state of the deck, you cannot correct the fall, and you inherit whatever is already wrong under there.
Rubber, fibreglass or felt?
Rubber for most extensions, garages and dormers because it goes down seamless. Fibreglass where the roof gets walked on or where the shape is complicated. Felt where it suits the building and the budget. We will tell you which we would use on your roof.
Will it stop the ponding?
If the ponding is caused by the fall then yes, because we correct the deck. If the roof was built flat with no fall at all, we will tell you what it would take to fix properly before you commit.
Do you do balconies and dormers as well?
Yes. Dormer tops, small balconies and porch roofs are all flat roofing jobs and the same principles apply.