A lot of homes in the UK have extensions and garages, both of which have flat roofs. Unfortunately, flat roofs are notorious for springing leaks. It is estimated that homes with extensions and garages that have flat roofs should expect to have to repair or replace a flat roof approximately every 15 years.
The costs for general maintenance on flat roofs isn’t that expensive. However, you need to be aware of cowboy roofers and their botched jobs. Cowboy roofers not only damage your bank balance, but they will also cause further damage to your home.
What is a Flat Roof?
Although the name suggests flat roofs are flat, they aren’t. A flat roof has to have a slight pitch to allow rainwater to drain away. If there were no slight pitch on a flat roof, the rainwater would create pools of water on the surface. The surface of a flat roof is usually felt. If pools of water start gathering on the felt it would lead to quicker degrading of the felt, which will lead to leaks in the flat roof.
The majority of flat roofs are covered with felt. On the rear side of the felt it will have bitumen. When a professional roofer heats the felt with a blowtorch, the bitumen starts to melt. The melting bitumen is what attaches the felt to the wooden roof structure. There is no way to know if the wooden struts and beams underneath the felt need replacing without having to tear off the felt to be to have a look. If you are researching flat roof repair costs or flat roof replacement costs, you must consider the hidden costs of having to replace struts and beams.
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What are the Benefits of Having a Flat Roof?
Warmth:during the winter months, having a flat roof will keep your house a lot warmer. The flat roof absorbs the heat from the sun all day long, which is transferred to your home.
Cost:installing a flat roof uses far less materials than conventional roofs as well as taking less time to install. Lower cost materials and quicker installation time reduces the overall price.
Assessability:a flat roof is much safer to stand on than a pitched roof making repairs and maintenance much easier.
Versatility:it is possible to use a flat roof as a small garden, patio, or communal area.
Are there any Drawbacks of Having a Flat Roof?
Lifespan:a flat roof can last as long as 20 years as long as it’s maintained properly.
Maintenance:flat roofs require a fair amount of maintenance, so you should consider this before investing in one.
Drainage:flat roofs can deteriorate quite quickly because of inadequate drainage and debris gathering on the roof. Poor drainage leads to a breakdown of materials over time.
Styling:due to the limited amount of materials available to use for flat roofs, flat roof styles are limited. However, there are options to use PVC roofing and poly carbonate roofing to enhance the style of the flat roof. Unfortunately, using these materials for flat roofs come with a higher price tag.
Materials:there’s only a limited choice of materials to be used when installing a flat roof. Most flat roofs either have TPO, EPDM, rubber, or bitumen. All these materials have a relatively short life expectancy of between 10 and 15 years.
How Many Different Designs of Flat Roofs are Available?
No matter which material is used in the construction of a flat roof, the roof has to be watertight. The construction of a flat roof requires a slight pitch for rainwater to run away, but they’re still prone to leaks. Below you will find the five different types of flat roofs: flat seamed metal, modified bitumen, roll asphalt and modified ply, single ply and multiple-ply.
- Flat seamed metal flat roof
This type of flat roof is the most expensive out of all the different variations of flat roofs. The reason these are the most costly out of all the choices of flat roofs is that they are made from expensive metals such as stainless steel and copper. However, the life expectancy of a flat metal roof can be anywhere between 20 and 50 years.
- Modified Bitumen flat roof
A lot of multi-ply flat roofs are made from a modified bitumen membrane. A modified bitumen membrane is a mixture of asphalt and polymers, which makes it water-resistant and flexible. Once the bitumen membrane is in place, gravel is placed on top of it to protect it from the elements. The life expectancy of this particular flat roof is approximately 20 years.
- Multi-ply flat roof
Multiple layers of fiberglass make up the construction of a multi-ply flat roof. The multiple layers of fibreglass are packed in between the layers of asphalt. Multi-ply flat roofs are much stronger the single-ply flat roofs. A multi-ply flat roof can have a lifespan of up to 30 years because they are less likely to be damaged.
- Single-ply flat roof
These flat roofs are made of a single layer of rubber like material. These materials are energy efficient, sturdy and cost less than roll asphalt roofs. The materials used for making single-ply flat roofs are usually one of the following: UPVC, TPO, EPDM, or ethylene. All of these materials are low maintenance and are resistant to mould growth. The materials used for single-ply roofs cost less than the materials for a roll asphalt roof.
- Roll asphalt flat roof
It takes layer upon layer of asphalt coated fiberglass, felt, tar, and materials that are water-resistant to make a roll asphalt. The roll asphalt is rolled out onto a flat roof and fixed in place with asphalt cement and nails. Gravel is spread out on the top layer to protect the roof from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Using roll asphalt for flat roofing is generally the cheapest way of waterproofing a flat roof, and this method of flat roofing has been in use for over a hundred years. Unfortunately, using roll asphalt doesn’t usually have a life span of more than ten years.
Replacing or Repairing Flat Roofs
If your flat roof has a serious leak, you may be facing having to renew the whole roof. If the felt is starting to sag, has pools of water or signs of cracking, trying to patch over these issues isn’t going to work in the long-term. Below you will see a few examples where you may be to get away with patching a flat roof:
- A fallen roof tile has landed on the flat roof and caused a small rip in the felt
- you notice water dripping from under the roof where the felt and gutters meet together
- you have an extension, and you notice that the felt is coming away from the wall
In examples such as these, it is possible to carry out a small repair. Small flat roof repairs are usually quite easy. If your flat roof only has a few small cracks or tears, it’s possible to fix it for less than £50.
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Replace a Leaking Extension
Unfortunately, a flat roof replacement on an extension costs more. If patching an extension roof is not viable, then it would be worth paying for a new flat roof installation. The last thing you want is for your house to be flooded whenever it rains.
Usually, extensions have poor access, and the use of scaffolding may be necessary. Another thing to take into account is the fact that the extension is joined to the main property, so you will need lead overlaps installing and wall upstands. If the extension is higher than one story high, it becomes more difficult to remove waste materials. You will need to keep in mind that more felt and insulation will be required because underneath the extension flat roof is a habitable room.
Taking all of this information into consideration, the average cost of a flat roof for an extension varies between £980 and £1450. If you live in London, you can expect to pay approximately £500 more.
Replacing a Leaking Garage Roof
If you have a leak in your garage roof and the leak looks quite serious, there’s a good chance you will have to replace the garage roof. You will need a professional roofer to come and remove the existing felt and any stone chippings, look at the condition of the roof timbers, and if they’re not rotten, install a new roof. This particular type of job will require adding underlay to the existing timber decking, laying down the new felt and installing upstands and drip edges. A roofing professional should dispose of any waste materials for you.
Example costs of garage roof replacement: If you have a double garage, you should expect to pay approximately £745 – £1000 if you live outside of London. If you live in London, the costs are slightly higher. You can expect to pay between £925 and £1300.
Rotten Timbers
If a roofer gets on your extension roof, and pulls back the felt to discover rotten timber; you have no other choice but to replace the entire roof. Some people have flat roofs installed because they are the cheapest option available to them. You have to bear in mind that the materials used are also relatively cheap. Quite often, plyboard or chipboard is used. For a decent grade of replacement decking, you can expect to pay between £40 – £50 each. That price includes the installation as well.
Water Pooling
If you have noticed that your flat roof has pools of water (known as pooling) forming on the surface instead of running into the gutters, you will need to get this problem addressed quickly. The solution to fix this problem is to adjust the pitch on the roof. A professional roofer will alter the pitch by adding a few pieces of timber no more than a couple of inches high. Water pooling may not seem such a big deal, but let me assure you it is. If rainwater is allowed to pool on the flat roof, it will destroy the felt.
Additional Costs
The cost of replacing a flat roof can vary a lot. Each job is unique in the fact that people want different things. For example, some people like to add wood chippings or stones on top of the felt because they don’t like the look of it. Adding chippings or stones also protects the felt from the harmful rays of the sun.
How Much Will it Cost to Have a Flat Roof Installed?
There are several factors to take into account when trying to figure out the cost of a flat roof. Factors such as:
Is the roof accessible: the height of the roof will have to be taken into account. If the roof height is too high to access from a ladder, then scaffolding will be required.
Specifications for Flat roofs:Every flat roof job is different. Each one has its own unique measurements.
The location:London has a higher cost of living than anywhere else United Kingdom. If you live in London or any other part of the UK with high costs of living, you can expect the flat roofing costs to be higher.
Tradesmans Profit:The profit markup can be drastically different depending upon which roofing company you choose. If a particular roofing company is in high demand, they can afford to pick and choose which jobs they would like to take on as well as charging a higher price for their services.
How big is the project:It usually costs more for smaller projects due to the tradesmen charging a higher amount per square metre.
Example Prices of Flat Roofs
A breakdown of Costs for the Installation of a Rubber EPDM Roof on a Typical Garage
EPDM is a man-made material that resembles felt. EPDM is extremely hard wearing and can withstand the British weather as well as being heat resistant. The one downside of using EPDM rubber is that it may have weak joints. The best way to avoid using joints when laying EPDM and rubber on a flat roof is to buy a piece large enough to cover the entire roof. Not only will one single piece improve the visual appearance of your flat roof, but it will also avoid weak points on your flat roof.
Budget:the cost of materials and labour for this particular job would be approximately £1500. Your shopping list of materials would be the following: adhesive and sealants, edgings, drip edge, and rubber membrane. If you would like guttering to be installed around the flat roof that will incur further costs. More hidden costs are likely to be building notification control, decking, and waste disposal.
A Flat Roof Large Enough to Cover a Single Garage
The use of fibreglass to manufacture planes, boats, and waterslides has been around for quite some time now; however, it’s rarely been used for flat roofs. Fibreglass is heated until it turns into a liquid. The thin glass strands are made by pushing the molten liquid through unbelievably tiny holes.
Once the threads are made, they can be woven together and made into much bigger materials. There are many uses for these materials, and residential or commercial thermal installation is one of them.
Budget:£1500 should cover the costs of materials and labour. The materials you’ll need are OSB boards, topcoats, trims, batton, tissue, and resin.
Multi-Layer Felt System
Are you thinking about building a new felt roof on your property or replacing your existing one? If you are, you may want to learn more about the installation process and the different roofing techniques. The way a felt roof is made is by applying roofing felt on to a flat roof to protect the roof from the elements. The built-up felt system roofing would be watertight. It will protect the roof as long as a professional flat roofing expert installs it.
List of materials
Firrings:professionalflat roof installers use sections of firring material so they can create a slope on the flat roof. Installers of flat roofs will use the firrings to level out and uneven surface, which will allow the rooftop to dispose of waste and unwanted rainwater into the gutters. It’s common to see pieces of timber in the shape of a triangle used specifically for this reason. The timber triangles are fitted in between the joists in the roof and the felt. If you wanted to have this job carried out on your flat roof, you would be looking to spend roughly £50. That price should include VAT. Keep in mind; it’s not completely necessary to have this job carried out on your flat roof.
Labour cost:laying a felt roof is a dangerous task because of working at heights and the use of a blow torch. You should only consider hiring a flat roofing expert to undertake this job for you. You should be looking at paying approximately £475, which would include VAT, for two people to carry out the job safely.
Disposal of waste:if a flat roof was not installed by an experienced professional, it runs the risk of having inappropriate waste disposal. Having firring pieces fitted on the roof will play a significant role in ridding the roof of excess debris. It will help in disposing of excess rainwater. Having gutters installed will help to carry the excess rainwater away from the roof area down into the drains below. Having fascia boards installed helps to protect the roof even further by shielding the narrow gap in between the felt, and the roof from the extreme weather conditions. You should be looking at paying approximately £100.
Multi-layered felts:most buildings have at least two or possibly three layers of felt. The first layer (otherwise known as the base layer) is the vapour control sheet. The second layer or (the middle layer) is a much more robust, reinforced felt, and the third layer is called the cap sheet. Two-layered felt roofs are commonly used on sheds and garages etc. Three-layered felt roofs are used on homes. When a flat roof is being installed, the roofer will rollout the felt on to the flat roof. They will use a gas torch to heat the surface of the felt, which allows the adhesive underneath to fix itself to the surface of the roof. The mineral finish cap sheet will protect the roof from the harmful UV rays from the sun. It should cost you approximately £125, including VAT, for the completion of this job.
Decking:the roofing felt is rolled out onto the decking. The majority of flat roofs tend to use Oriented Strand Board (OSB) or Stirling board. Both the Stirling board and OSB are waterproof and are an excellent choice for the decking of flat roofs. The manufacturer’s guidelines should be followed closely by the installers of decking, and the appropriate calculations should be used. The decking is the costliest part of the installation of a flat roof. The decking is firmly fixed to the timber joists, which are fixed horizontally. You should expect to pay approximately £50, including VAT, for this particular job.
| Type of Job | Cost Per Square Meter | Specifications |
| Lead Bay Roof | £295+ the cost of lead | Due to every job having different project specifications, prices can vary significantly drastically. The cost of raw materials such as lead is a significant factor. |
| Fire Glass Bay Roof | £245–£500+£50(insulating and stripping) | Even though it’s a relatively small job, it’s the cost of the trim and the time spent fitting trim that increases the costs. For approximately additional £50 the window can also be also stripped and insulated |
| Fire Glass | £95(lead flashing and trims included) | Prices shown does not include installation of over boarding using OSB. The installation of OSB is essential for the installation of a new GRP flat roofing system. |
| Rubber Roof | £85+ costs of additional boards if damaged | A Modern Flat Roof similar to a firestone that is also known as E.P.D.M. |
| Felt Roof | £40 – £50+£40if any of the boards are damaged | This is a modern felt roof or built up felt roof. It is also known as Torch-on flat roof. |
GRP Flat Roofing
GRP is a material commonly used for flat roofing. GRP ensures that a flat roof remains free of leaks and stays in good condition.
Is there much difference between fiberglass and GRP?
Glass reinforced plastic (or GRP be short) is a technical term for fibreglass. Fibreglass was first developed in 1938, and it was intended to be used as insulation. However, fibreglass has many different uses and is used in a lot of different industries. GRP is very hard-wearing, extremely versatile, and waterproof. GRP is a perfect roofing material because of these qualities. If you’re not particularly keen on the standard colour of GRP, there are various colour options available. You also have the option of adding a nonslip surface after installation. GRP has proven to be a good choice flat roofing material, and it is an excellent alternative to traditional roof materials.
How Long Can I Expect a GRP Flat Roof to Last?
Many tests have been undertaken to estimate the lifespan of a roof made with GRP, and it is believed to be over 50 years. Many of the glass fibre laminates are still in use today, even though they were made in the 1940s. GRP has been rigorously tested, and research has proven that GRP does not really deteriorate. Quite a few experts would safely say that a GRP flat roof could last an entire lifetime if a professional company installed it.
Can I Choose a Specific Colour for a GRP Flat Roof?
New technology has allowed GRP manufacturers to manufacture GRP in a wide variety of colours to suit everyone.
What Benefits Does GRP Flat Roofing Offer?
GRP can be used on all roofs, but it’s particularly well-suited to use on flat roofs for the following reasons:
Waterproof and durable:flat roofs that are constructed using GRP are incredibly durable and 100% waterproof. The durability and water resistance of GRP puts this product slightly ahead of other materials which are commonly used on flat roofs.
UV resistant:if resistance to ultraviolet light is important to you, you will be glad to know that GRP is entirely UV resistant.
Low insurance:no heat is used during the installation of a GRP flat roof, otherwise known as being cold applied. Insurance premiums for a GRP flat roof are often much lower than other roofing materials because it does not require heat during the installation phase.
Adaptable:GRP is a very sturdy material that makes it uniquely adaptable. You will have the option to add new features like a new walkway or a balcony onto the flat roof.
Leak free:you will have peace of mind knowing that the GRP roof is 100% leak-free and should last a lifetime as long as it was installed by a professional. A GRP flat roof is an excellent solution to those who are tired of encountering leaks every so often.
Low maintenance:Unlike other flat roofing materials, GRP is like having one huge GRP membrane spread across the roof. One single membrane eliminates the need for welds and ceiling joints, which would be a natural weakness.
Easy installation:no heat issues during the installation of a GRP flat roof, making it much safer for installers and anybody else nearby.
Is GRP Resistant to Fire?
If you are concerned with the importance of fire-resistant materials used in your home, you will be glad to know that GRP is manufactured using fire retardant topcoats and resins.
What will the completed installation look like?
You have a range of different options available to you when it comes to the final installment of a GRP flat roof. You have the option of changing the surface colour to one of your choosing, and you have the option of choosing between a textured or smooth finish.
Can GRP withstand adverse weather conditions?
If you are concerned about extreme weather conditions such as high winds, rain, ice, and snow, you’ll be glad to know that a GRP flat roof can endure it all. Boat manufacturers often use GRP, which is a testament to how robust material is extreme weather conditions.
Have You Considered a Green Living Roof?
It may not have crossed your mind before, but having a flat roof with plants and grass growing on it is an extremely economical way of protecting and insulating your home. Flat roofs covered with grass and plants have far better insulation because the roof is so dense. Another bonus of having aliving green roofis that it will keep your house a lot cooler in the summer months. Not only are green flat roofs good for the environment they also lower your homes electricity costs. Unfortunately, having a green flat roof installed doesn’t come cheap, and to have one installed can be pretty expensive. The flat roof will have to be reinforced to be able to take the added weight. However, once installed, agreen flat roofwill lower runoff by as much as 50% because it does a much better job of soaking up the water. The chances of having a water leak in a flat roof are significantly reduced. It has been estimated that green roofs can last up to 50% longer than a standard roof.
If you find you get too hot in the summer months, a “cool” flat roof might be worth considering. The materials used when building one of these types of roof are dark in colour and naturally heat absorbing. The primary materials are asphalt and tar, which are excellent heat absorbers that can transfer the suns heat down into your home. The reflective coating used on the construction of a cool roof can lower the cooling expenses of your house in the summer by up to 70%. If your roof is energy efficient (which it should be), you may even get a reduced tax bill.
It is not ideal for humans to walk on flat roofs as they can crack and split, which could cause leaks in the flat roof. If you are considering having a new flat roof installed, you should hire the services of a flat roof specialist. Hiring a professional roofer will make sure the roof is installed correctly and professionally.
Insulation for Flat Roofs
If a roof is uninsulated, it makes it much easier for heat to escape. Therefore, having a wellinsulated flat roofwill prevent heat from escaping as it rises towards the roof. Having an insulated flat roof will also reduce your heating costs. Flat roofs consist of multiple layers that are built upon one another. The first layer is the roof deck, and the second layer is a vapour control layer, then on top of the vapour control layer is a thermal layer. It is followed by a waterproof layer and, finally, a surface layer.
The layers that make up a flat roof
Many different materials can be used for the roof deck. Usually, one of the following materials will be found on the deck of a roof, timber, metal, concrete, composite, or plywood. The layer known as the vapour control layer can be made of polyethylene membrane, polymeric foil, a self-adhesive sheet, or a bitumen sheet. The thermal layer of the flat roof is made of materials that trap air pockets and air bubbles, which are perfect for insulating a flat roof. The most popular materials that are used for insulating are polystyrene, mineral wool, and fibreglass.
That layer used for waterproofing a flat roof is made of single-ply membranes. The most common single-ply membranes are usually elastomeric or thermoplastic. Some flat roof installers prefer to use resin surfaces or UPVC. A surface layer of hard resin, stone chippings, or mineral finish is often applied, which helps to protect the waterproofing layer. You may feel a bit overwhelmed by all of the different options available to you, but if you speak to your roofing contractor, they will assess your roof and advise you on what course of action you should take.
Wood fibre roof insulation
Wood fibre insulation is made of various materials such as wood, vegetable fibres or cane mixed with various fillers and binders. The board can be coated or asphalt-impregnated to make it more water-resistant. The thermal resistance value of the board measures quite low at a value of 2.78 per inch. Although it is not the best choice for insulating a flat roof, it can lower the overall cost of materials.
Perlite roof insulation
Perlite insulation is made of perlite and combined with binders and organic fibres. The manufacturing process of perlite involves trapping air cells within the perlite. The trapped air cells are what provide the insulation for flat roofs. An asphalt coating is applied to the insulation board to limit asphalt absorption into the insulation. The thermal resistance of the board has a value of 2.78 which is identical to the Wood fibre
Extruded and expanded polystyrene roof insulation
Polystyrene insulation for flat roofs is available in two different forms – extruded and expanded. Extruded polystyrene is made by heating the polystyrene and exposing it to atmospheric conditions. After the polystyrene is heated and exposed to atmospheric conditions, it is then expanded. The thermal resistance of extruded polystyrene has a higher value than expanded polystyrene.
Expanded polystyrene is made by mixing it together with a unique foaming agent. When heat is applied to the material begins to expand and traps the warmth. The thermal resistance of expanded polystyrene is measured at 3.80, which is lower than the thermal resistance of extruded polystyrene, which has a thermal resistance of 5. As you can see, choosing the extruded polystyrene would be the best choice for insulating a flat roof.
Polyisocyanurate roof insulation
Polyisocyanurate insulation is the middle layer between non-organic and organic felt within your flat roof. Polyisocyanurate insulation has a thermal resistance of 6.0. To achieve such a high thermal resistance, a blowing agent is used, such as pentane is used. Using pentane expands the foam material, which in turn creates such a high thermal resistance.
Cellular glass roof insulation
Cellular glass insulation is often used on a flat roof. The manufacturing process of cellular glass insulation requires crushed glass to be placed into a mould and heated until it reaches the required temperature. It has a thermal resistance of 4.69, and it is available in flat and tapered blocks.
New Flat Roof Costs
| One Bedroom House | Two Bedroom House | Three Bedroom House | Four Bedroom House |
| Main Roof Cost (flat roof) | |||
| £1,600 – £3,150 | £2,050 – £4,200 | £2,600 – £4,550 | £3,200 – £4,600 |
| Porch | |||
| £320 – £550 | £420 – £650 | £450 – £650 | £550 – £650 |
| Dormer | |||
| £750 – £1,200 | £760 – £1,250 | £850 – £1,300 | £850 – £1,400 |
| Bay Window | |||
| £345 – £645 | £395 – £695 | £445 – £745 | £495 – £895 |
| Extension Roof | |||
| £695 – £1,695 | £1,050 – £2,600 | £1,295 – £2,695 | £1,499 – £2,995 |
SAVE MONEY!
Flat Roof Maintenance & Repairs
If you suspect your flat roof needs repairing, your first course of action would be to try and find the problem. The usual tell-tale signs can be spotted in the room underneath the flat roof. Look for water drips coming from the underneath of the flat roof or try to spot any damp patches. Before you get the ladders out and begin to climb up onto the flat roof for further inspection, think about how old the roof is? Is strong enough to hold your weight? If there are leaks or wet patches underneath, that’s a good sign the roof could be rotting in certain areas, which would make it very dangerous for you to stand on. If you are not an experienced roofer, you should get a professionalroof expertto come and take a look at your roof.
A professional roofer will know all of the tell-tale signs to look out for on the surface of a flat roof. They will be looking for their bare patches, holes, tears, and pools of water (known as pooling). The edges of your roof will also be inspected to make sure no blocked drainage issues is causing the leak in your roof. After inspection, your roofer will know what sort of condition the flat roof is in, and if it’s not worth repairing, your roofer might suggest it would be more cost effective to have a new roof.
Always make sure that you hire a skilled and experienced roofer to carry out repairs on your flat roof. If a flat roof hasn’t been repaired properly, it could cause serious structural problems and can be dangerous. An experienced roofer will assess the area before carrying out the work and eliminate any signs of mould growth by using a special fungicide. The ideal time to carry out roof repairs is when we have had no read for several days. A good dry spell will ensure there is minimal moisture within the roof. If you read the guide below, it will explain to you how a flat roofing expert will go about flat roof repairs:
Repairing Blisters
A qualified and experienced roofer will make sure that the surface surrounding the blister is clean and free of any chippings. Dirt and mould will be removed and sprayed with a fungicide. The roofer will have to use a blade to be able to cut through the layer at the top. The roofer will then be able to pull each segment back and start drying the area inside. After the area is dry, the following step is to apply bitumen adhesive onto the area, then put each segment back in its place. The roofer will have to press down on the segments to ensure they stay in position. The next step the roofer will take is to cut several pieces of roof felt and place them over the newly repaired blister.
Tears and Splits
An experienced roofer may decide that they can gently lift the tear or split without creating any further damage to the felt; they might just go ahead and do that and clean the area underneath. Next, the roofer will start filling the space underneath the lifted split with a powerful adhesive and hold it down. A bitumen compound is used to fill any bigger spaces.
Flashings
If you look at the edge of a flat roof where it meets the wall, you will see the flashings. Its usually made of lead or zinc, or there’s a cheaper alternative, which is a silver-colored adhesive tape known as flashband. The most cost-effective way to carry out a quick repair to flashings is by using a sticky repair tape calledflashband. A professional roofer will assess the area and make sure the surface is clean and free of debris. The next step would be to cut lengths of the repair tape and apply it to the damaged area, being certain that the tape overlaps the existing flashing at each end.
Beware Rogue Roofers
You probably heard the saying it was good to be true it probably is. You need to be aware that there are manyrogue roofersout there who are unqualified, inexperienced and will advertise themselves as a roofer.
You need to know the importance of not allowing any roofer to cover over existing felt. If the existing felt is left in place, you can’t inspect the timbers underneath to check the condition. You should also avoid any so-called roofer who says they will use a liquid tar to seal your roof. You will be lucky to get a couple of years out of liquid tar before the original splits and cracks in the felt start to allow water back into your home.
You should always ask a roofer a few questions, so you know what is included in your quote.
- Will you take off the old felt before adding the new felt?
- If timber is needed, can you include a separate breakdown of costs?
- Will you be taking away all of the old materials?
- If a scaffold is needed, how much is going to cost?
By asking a roofer these types of questions, your mind will be at ease knowing that once the job was complete, you will have a leak free home for many years to come.
Conclusion
There are many different factors to take into account when it comes to flat roof repair or replacement.
There is only one sure way of finding out how much it is really going to cost you and that is to get a flat roof repair, replacement or installation quote.
The easiest way to get flat roofing quotes is to use my free quote form. Give a brief description of what you need and before you know it you will have a few local roofing companies at your home to give you a free quote.
Its by far the easiest way of getting things done nowadays.
Good Luck!
Jim Ardale – Roof Advisor