Flat Roof help please

[Jamesc]

We have a flat roof an extension that has started to leak.

The roof is felt put on with hot bitumen, after 17 years it is past its best.

Knowing very little about flat roofs I am contacting local roofing firms for prices. What I am looking for is a little advice so that I can be informed when I talk to them.

The roof is approximately 4m wide by 2m deep. I has a shallow run of around 2-3" across the 2m depth. The slope is dictated by roof having to tuck under the eaves of a large sloping roof at the back & side and sit over the external door.

The roof it abuts is a large tiled section with a valley in the corner, this roof collects a lot of water as it covers 1/3 of our house.

Any advice gratefully recived

James

 

[jpw123]

Hi James, if you've had 17 yrs out of a flat roof covered with felt/ bitumen you have done really well. A lot of flat roofing guys now use torch on felt which means not having to handle steaming buckets of hot tar. New felts are better than the old sarking felt, as to be cut with knife, cant just rip it. A lot of problems are the decking boards under the felt, in the past it wasn't uncommon for some to use chipboard which as we know, when wet is useless. Check wether they are going to strip old felt etc & not just going to skate over the top & any costs if boards are found to be defective. It can easily mount up.

Hope this helps, John

 

[Harbo]

I replaced the felt flat roof over my double garage with EPDM a few years ago and never regretted it.

Rod

 

[stuartpaul]

Neighbour near me has just gone fibre glass. Apparently it lasts much longer than felt (although 17 years is pretty darn good!).

Not sure of cost though as he wouldn't spill on that front.

Need to make sure you get a good quality roofer, - recommendation from satisfied customers who had work done years ago is vital. Generally in roofing terms cheapest is not best!

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Make 100% certain that when you get quotes, they are are pricing for EXACTLY the same job.

 

[Paul Chapman]

We went for glass fibre. Far better and not much more expensive. Don't go for another felt roof - nothing but trouble.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Benchwayze]

If you can see your way clear, have flat roofs covered in hand-spread 'real' asphalt. It won't be cheap, but my three flat roofs have been laid for close on 35 years. Touch wood, never had a leak; although mine are now somewhat past their expected life.

HTH

John

 

[Jamesc]

Thanks Guys,

From my research I am favouring EDPM, I have 3 firms coming this week we shall see what they have to say.

James