Flat Roof advice please

Nujol

Hello everyone...

We are thinking of moving to a house which has an entirely flat roof. Judging by the style of the property it was probably in the late 1960's / early 70's. The vendor has advised us that the house was last re-roofed in 2003 and that it came with a 10-year guarentee (not provided).

I know it is difficult to judge these things with limited information... the roof appears to be about 9m x 6m but this could be a little out.

I have searched around the forums and have turned up lots of useful info on flat roofing... but nothing about houses with an entirely flat roof!

So if anyone is in a position to suggest likely costs, timescales and materials used, that would be very helpful!

Thank you, Nujol

Nujol

The roof could be a little bigger than that maybe, but that is a good estimate. We are in East Kent, if that helps too.

Thank you

27col

I would not buy a flat roofed house at any price. Certainly not if the roof only had a 10 year guarantee.

Nujol

27col wrote: »

I would not buy a flat roofed house at any price. Certainly not if the roof only had a 10 year guarantee.

Hello... thanks for the reply... Please correct me if I am wrong, but as I understand it, it is commonplace for flat roofs to need re-doing - there are many posts on these forums on this subject. More modern techniques I believe will extend the time a considerable time beyond 10 years, again, as I understand it.

Do you have an idea of the costs involved?

john_howard_fisher

if its cheap buy it and have proper roof with only small angle made. you will be laughing all the way to the bank.

iamcornholio

There is nothing wrong with buying a property with a flat roof.

Have a survey done, and specifically instruct that you want the roof covering inspected and commented on.

If there are no signs of leaking at the moment then for piece of mind, you may want to budget for a replacement of the cover with something like an EPDM (ie rubber) membrane, which will last 20-30 years.

But otherwise, if there are no problems now just buy it and live with it until the time when replacement is needed - which could be many years away

docmatt

Like Corny said if you go flat roof go EPDm but choose a very experienced fitter.

Nujol

Wow, thanks... great replies.

I have actually looked on Google Maps satellitte images... and it looks like the roof is in better condition than almost all the neighbours.

Do any of you have an idea of the rough cost of one of these EPDM roofs, assuming my measurements are about right - I am guessing around 60sqm?

docmatt

Nujol wrote: »

Wow, thanks... great replies.

I have actually looked on Google Maps satellitte images... and it looks like the roof is in better condition than almost all the neighbours.

Do any of you have an idea of the rough cost of one of these EPDM roofs, assuming my measurements are about right - I am guessing around 60sqm?

It depends whats under the felt ie timber beams or insulation slab. A full strip and re-cover. Could be anything from £50 to £90 psm

fiona79

We had our flat roof re-done on the a couple of years ago and have a 10 year guarentee with it. We're told it will probably need to be re-done every 15 odd years. Hopefully we'll be in a bigger place by then anyway but don't let it stop you buying the house cause with the guarentee you should have no problems.

Nujol

docmatt wrote: »

It depends whats under the felt ie timber beams or insulation slab. A full strip and re-cover. Could be anything from £50 to £90 psm

Hello, that's great, just a ballpark idea is very useful. So it sounds like £3000-£6000 for the whole roof, roughly.

Any other info on price or any experience of flaf-rooved houses would be most appreciated