Loft conversion repairs - help!

cyclonebri1

So this is a leak on a flat roof dormer, not an apex roof.?

Expecting a yes to that, the answer is they all fail sooner or later, 20 years being about the max life expectancy of felted roofs. The bad news is if you have 2 dormers the other will probably fail shortly, the good?, there are now better products on the market that are more reliable and longer lasting. Unless you are both a DIY expert and have no fear of heights, get a local flat roofing specialist to quote, bread and butter stuff to them, but it will require stripping off to repair effectively, beware the bodger who just wants to slap on a patch. Hopefully the interior damage should just be cosmetic, required a few quids worth of plaster board and skim to fix.
Good Luck

Risinfromthegutter

If your budgets that tight get the roof quoted as a seperate repair and FIND THE MONEY, it will only get worse if you don't. In doing this you will stop any further problems- the last thing you need is to have your bedroom rewired and plastered/decorated etc. Once the leaking has stopped you can then save up for the internal repairs. What you like at DIY? Show me some pictures and I can can talk you through a step by step DIY solution for the interior. To Recap PLEASE get the roof repaired as a minmum.

Thank you very much, I really appreciate it, I shall try and get some pics sorted today/tonight, I may struggle to get any from outside though. My DIY is OK providing I am told what to do!

It is impossible to say on here with the information you have given what the problem is and so try to guess any costs? Is the £1600 to re-roof or something as this is alot of money? Maybe the roof can be repaired to a good standard. What have they said in the estimate what the work will be?

It sounds like the problem with the roof needs sorting asap as to leave it will not only allow further water ingress but will cause substancial damage to timbers rotting, etc.

Are you able to post on here any pictures so I and others may be able to give accurate advice?

Likewise, also I could copy the quote I got if it would help? The quote had an in-depth description of the work to be done, it spanned a full side of a4 +. I think it was suggesting a re-roof from memory. Thanks for your response.

So this is a leak on a flat roof dormer, not an apex roof.?

Yes a flat roof dormer, I only have the one dormer fortunately!

Unless you are both a DIY expert and have no fear of heights

bad news of both counts Im afraid! I'm sure that the interior is just cosmetic, also. There are basically two smallish holes in the plaster.

Thank you for all your responses, you have convinced me that I must have it repaired properly. I enclose a picture of the exterior FYI, its the only pic I have available at the mo, thought it may help. Also something I did not mention before, it is difficult to open and close the window in the attic/loft due to a dipping in the flat roof, if this indicates the problem perhaps, I do not think that the water is running of the roof correctly.



Further, what is the best way to source a reputable contractor? How would I know I'm getting what I'm paying for so to speak?

Thanks again for all your help, I really appreciate it.

RFTG x

Plasterer

Take a picture at some point of the interior damage and I guarantee I can take you through step by step to resolve (many ways to skin a cat) and on a tight budget. (doining myself out of work here )
Have you thought about having the felt replaced with a rubber roof? might be worth exploring if you intend to stay put for a long time - maybe a job for the future when you spare some cash up.
With regards to which contractor, ask friends first, if no joy ask three different companies for quotes (bare in mind cheapest is not always the best option) and ask for genuine references (not his mate) if they have people as references they should have no problem with you inspecting their work.
Anyway, i'm of to work now. I'll pick up the thread later.
Byeeeee.................

cyclonebri1

Yup, the butyl rubber is the option I was thinking of,