Leaking flat roof

ethelhead

I'm might have to kick myself for reading this! I'm also in the same boat; my flat roof isn't leaking but it's starting to blister & I don't want it to start leaking whilst I'm away for a chunk of time. I know for certain it's not been done in the last 8 years ago; but it could very easily be 20+ years old.

I'd be interested to know what local authority area you're in; though fair enough if you'd rather not say. If these regs apply to the whole country, it could be even costlier for me. If I have to effectively raise the level of the roof, it could mean havign to re-site my bathroom waste pipes.

Gods turban & tutu. This is regulation hell. Will await further replies with bated breath.

barrymung

I have used some stuff very similar to the stuff alanobrien suggested.

I can't remember if it came from B&Q or wickes but it's a sort of thick black bitumen paint that you apply to splits and holes with a trowel, old paint brush, kitchen knife or whatever.

It contains fibres as well which allow it to bridge wide-ish splits.

barrymung

George_Bray wrote: »

You are allowed to repair the roof but not go for a complete recover or replacement, it seems. Is that right, do you know? Can they effectively force me to lift all the roof boards? Perhaps I'll have to go for so many repair patches that it becomes a total recover in effect but nowhere near as good a job as if the Government didn't interfere. I seldom heat the house, so there's no warm air to escape in the first place! All I wanted to do is prevent water coming in.

Replace the roof in two stages; repair one half..a couple of weeks later replace t'other half.

Norfolk_Jim

I coated my rather sad and at least 8 years old flat roof with a tinned product from B&Q , roof seal or something like that, it was black and sticky. 10 years on I've had no problems whatsoever. Last year it started to blister a bit in places revealing the original roof felt. Today I've removed all the loose material and sealed it again only this time I bought the stuff from Wilkinsons at about £13 a tin. If it lasts even a couple of years it has delayed the cost of a new roof covering for that much longer, which when you have little cash is a great help. I suppose it depends on how bad your leak is. My original felt although old was not cracked or split at all and appears to be still in the same condition wherever I've removed the old roof seal. Possibly its worth giving it a go if you are short on funds and unafraid of working on roof tops.

George_Bray

ethelhead wrote: »

I'd be interested to know what local authority area you're in; though fair enough if you'd rather not say. If these regs apply to the whole country, it could be even costlier for me. ...This is regulation hell. Will await further replies with bated breath.

I'm still not sure what to do. Information is inconsistent. My local authority said I needed planning permission. Shrewsbury Council seem to agree. Under FAQs for building control, they say:
"If I want to carry out repairs to my home, or any other type of building, will the Building Regulations apply?
NO - if the repairs are of a minor nature: e.g. replacing a broken roofing tile; re-pointing brickwork; or replacing floorboards.
YES - if the repair work is more significant: e.g. removing a substantial part of a wall and rebuilding it; underpinning a building; installing a new flue or flue liner; re-roofing a tile or slate roof or re-felting a flat roof; or re-plastering or rendering/re-rendering a external wall."

But most other local authorities websites seem to say the opposite, e.g. Hillingdon:
"Do I need Building Regulation Approval to carry out repairs to my house?
* No, if the repairs are of a minor nature and you are replacing like for like. This includes replacing the felt to a flat roof, repointing, replacing a small area of brickwork etc.

It seems to be a can of worms. The rules and regulations must surely be national. The inconsistencies in the FAQs and spoken word are a scandal. I phoned a couple of local authorities at random. One said I almost certainly needed to apply and pay a whopping great fee. Another place sounded really relaxed and agreed I probably didn't need to apply if I was just replacing the felt.

I've now discovered that the thermal insulation blocks are twice as expensive as my first estimate, i.e. they would add £500 to the cost of my project.

HELP! Are there any roofers out there or anyone else with knowledge of this area?

lizziebabe

Hi I am confused. My flat roof has been leaking for a while, onto my bathroom ceiling. The original roofer came on Saturday to have a look at it and he says it looks fine. He says that the problem is the main roof which hasn't got enough felt under it to the edge of the roof tiles and he also suggested sealing the wall. My builder says that he has had a roofer up to see it and the whole thing needs replacing. I went up the ladder (hate heights) and it looked OK to me, not as bad as my builder had portrayed. I will go up with him on Monday to show me where it is in a bad condition. I have been quoted £2300 to completely to replace it all, help, I am a full time uni student and single Mum. Can anyone in the know suggest anything, I feel someone is telling me big porkies!!

jollyanna

Sounds to me like you need at least one other opinion/quote before you make a descision. Flat roofs are a pain and I'm never going to buy another house with one. I'm currently saving to get my garage redone,

Poppycat

Theres are good quality products out there now for flat roofs, the traditional bitumen felt doesn't last more than 15 or so years depends on weathering, it doesn't like full sun, as it cracks, thats why it has grit on it unfortunately that tends to go over the years, felt also can bubble too

EPDM is like a rubber surface that last over 20 years

I been told fibre glass is the best by a roofer but its expensive. EPDM is glued onto the roof

daveyjp

Neighbours have had a new roof put over the old one using timber battens and corrugated acrylic sheets - nice and quick and easy. A cheap solution, the problem is if water is in the structure it will rot.

ormus

some regulations are just meant to be ignored. this is a perfect case in point.
there is no way i would inform the local council about a re-felt flat roof.

ps, if you are going to sell your house, then it MAY cause a problem, but i doubt it.