Flat roofs need the right materials and proper detailing to stay watertight. We carry out flat roof replacements and repairs in Poringland and across the surrounding villages, working with felt and EPDM rubber systems suited to the local conditions.
Photo from one of our recent jobs
Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
Flat roofs are found on extensions, garage roofs, dormers, bay window tops and outbuildings across Poringland and the nearby villages of Framingham Earl, Stoke Holy Cross and into the outskirts of Norwich itself. They work well when they are installed correctly, but a poorly laid or ageing flat roof will blister, pond water and eventually let moisture into the structure below. If your flat roof is cracking, bubbling or showing damp patches on the ceiling beneath it, those are signs it needs attention sooner rather than later.
The two systems most commonly used on domestic flat roofs today are traditional built-up felt and EPDM rubber membrane. Each suits different situations, and the right choice depends on the size of the roof, what it sits on and how much foot traffic it sees.
Both systems require careful attention to the upstands, flashings and edge trims. These junctions - where the flat roof meets a parapet wall, a chimney or a vertical surface - are where most flat roof leaks start. Getting the detailing right is not optional; it is where the quality of the job is decided.
A common problem on older felt roofs is blistering caused by moisture trapped in the layers during installation, which then expands and contracts with temperature changes. Ponding water - where the roof holds a puddle after rain rather than draining - is another sign of trouble. Flat roofs are not truly flat; they need a fall of at least 1:80 to drain properly. If the falls have dropped or were never correct, water sits, the covering deteriorates faster and eventually the deck beneath rots.
A repair can buy time, but once a felt roof starts to crack across its surface, a full replacement is usually the more economical long-term decision.
When an extension is built or an outbuilding roof replaced entirely, the deck itself matters as much as the covering. We use a minimum 18mm exterior-grade plywood deck, which gives a stable, firm base that prevents the movement and flexing that shortens the life of any roofing membrane. Ventilation channels may be needed depending on the construction below to stop condensation building up in the roof structure.
New flat roofs on extensions also need to meet current building regulations for thermal performance. Insulation is laid either above or below the deck - a warm roof construction places insulation above the deck and is the preferred approach for most domestic extensions today because it keeps the structural timbers in the warm part of the building.
Not every flat roof needs replacing. A relatively young roof with a localised split or a failed flashing can often be repaired effectively. We will inspect the roof and give you a straight assessment of whether a repair will hold or whether the condition of the covering means a replacement is the better use of your money.
Common repairs include re-dressing and re-bonding lifted flashings, cutting out and patching blistered sections of felt, and resealing around pipe penetrations and rooflights. If a rooflight is itself cracked or cloudy, this is a good time to replace it - leaks around rooflights account for a significant number of flat roof water ingress calls.
Flat roof replacement in the Poringland area typically costs between £70 and £120 per square metre for a standard felt system, and £90 to £150 per square metre for EPDM, depending on deck condition, access and the complexity of the detailing involved. A single-car garage roof is usually in the region of £800 to £1,600 for felt and £1,100 to £2,200 for EPDM. These are typical current UK ranges; the price for your roof will depend on a survey of the actual job.
Flat roofing is not a job to hand to whoever can start tomorrow. The junction details, the falls, the edge treatments and the choice of system all affect how long the roof performs. Choose a roofer who will inspect your roof directly rather than relying on a description over the phone.
If you are getting quotes, ask each contractor which system they are proposing and why, what thickness of insulation they are allowing for, and how they plan to detail the upstands. The answers will tell you quickly whether they know what they are doing.
If your flat roof is leaking, showing visible deterioration or simply old enough that you are concerned about it, call us to arrange a roof survey. We cover Poringland and the surrounding area including Framingham Earl, Stoke Holy Cross, Brooke, Thurton, Loddon and across into Norwich, Thorpe St Andrew and Wymondham. We will take a look, tell you what we find and give you a clear quote for the work required.
No obligation · We'll call you to arrange a free visit
Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
A new roof is one of the most significant investments you can make in your home. We install pitched roofs in clay and co
Active leak, storm damage, slipped tiles or a lifted ridge tile - these are roofing problems that need attention now. We
A worn-out or failing roof needs more than patching. We carry out full roof replacements in Poringland and the surroundi
Slipped tiles, cracked flashings, leaking valleys - roof problems rarely fix themselves. We identify the cause of the fa
