Has my new roof been installed properly?

grumpty

Hi all,

About 6 weeks ago I had a new flat roof installed (new timbers + GRP). From the very start, the roof didn’t look right to me - there are multiple visible patches (I counted at least 10), and I even had a leak near a drain pipe. I asked the builder to get it repaired, but the roof still looks like this (pics attached).

My builder, who subcontracted the roof work, told me that patching is normal - he said patches are used to cover bubbles that appear during installation. But from what I’ve read online, bubbles generally indicate incorrect technique or poor workmanship, not something that should happen on a properly laid GRP roof.

For a brand-new roof, I would have expected 0 patches.

I’ve spoken with a couple of local roofers, and their feedback has been very negative:

• One said the work is “shocking” and wouldn’t survive a proper downpour.
• Another said he’d be surprised if it lasts 5 years.

That said, I don’t want to rely purely on their word, since they might be exaggerating to get work out of me.

So I’m asking here: if there are any GRP roofing experts, could you please take a look at my pictures and let me know your professional opinion? For context, I believe it’s a cold roof (insulation between joists, above the ceiling).

Thanks in advance!

grumpty

Here are the pics:

FreeBear

grumpty said:

Here are the pics: 

The black line in the flashing towards the bottom of the image - Is it a gash in the flashing, or just a dirty mark ?

If the former, that is going to let water in.

The detailing around the downpipe also looks a little less than satisfactory.

WIAWSNB

Grumpy, do you know the GRP product used? Any empty cans around? Restec FexiTec 2000 or anything like that?
And what warranty was provided? The manufacturing info should be on there.
I'd email the manufacturer with these photos and ask their opinion. Also add the 'reasoning' given by the installer for the patches - ask if it makes sense.
If that was done by an 'approved' installer - which it would need to be for the warranty to be valid - then they should be able to tell you if the job is good enough. (I can't see them honouring the warranty on that)
Some weird stuff going on there, like the trough running along near the wall - what on earth created that?! And, no, there should be zero bubbles created which would require patches - that's just bonkers.
What could create bubbles? I guess in this heat it'll either be expanding air, or water. Neither should have been present. 
Did you observe the construction at any stage? What type of ply did they use? Was it sheathed with tight butts (missus!)
What paperwork do you have? What does it say?
Does the company have membership of any building/roofing organisation?

grumpty

Wiawsnb, that is a good suggestion about the empty cans. There weren't any lying around but I trawled through my doorbell footage and found some cans being thrown into the skip. I can make out one of them is Cure It but can't tell what the other is, perhaps you might be able to decipher:

mr_vampy

grumpty said:

Wiawsnb, that is a good suggestion about the empty cans. There weren't any lying around but I trawled through my doorbell footage and found some cans being thrown into the skip. I can make out one of them is Cure It but can't tell what the other is, perhaps you might be able to decipher:

The other can in the skip looks like Cromar ProGRP Roofing Resin

WIAWSNB

I suppose the first question to ask each company is if they are compatible with eachother...
Assuming both were used on your roof.
And obviously show them the worst pics.

What paperwork do you have? Warranties?