Temporary & permanent shed roof fix

B0bbyEwing

The felt on my wooden shed is knackered as it's leaking in various spots.

In case it matters to the answer any, it's not a packaged shed in that you go online, see a wooden shed & say I'll buy that one. It's a DIY build from a previous owner of the house. They've used treated timber throughout & I'd say it's made from 1inch thick timbers with the exception of the structural side of it which looks 2inch thick.

TEMPORARY FIX

Would it be ok to just nail on some rolled out building film, 2000g? Or could this make it worse? As in making it sweat or whatever.

Obviously when cats jump on the top they may puncture it & it's not an ideal thing to do - hence it coming under the temporary heading.

PERMANENT FIX

Under heavy rain, there's areas of the roof that get soaked. I can see that on the inside.

So when I get a stretch of warm dry weather & come to fix it, would it be ok to rip old felt off, put new felt on all in 1 day or back to the trapping moisture - could this then make it rot? Am I supposed to rip old felt off & leave it off for days until the roof dried out, praying it doesn't rain during that time because then it really will leak, and only after x-days have passed am I to then felt?

And before you say, no I'm not overthinking it, I just don't have a clue.

marcia_

my shed started leaking after 10 years. Had the felting replaced using staple gun and glue. Still waterproof 5 years later.

WIAWSNB

Whatever is under the felt layer - OSB, ply, timber sarking boards (you should be able to see it from the inside) - will dry out after the new felt layer is applied.

It'll virtually dry out once exposed and before being recovered in any case, so recover the dry side, and let any damp bits remain exposed as long as possible.

Tbh, in mild dry weather, you could leave it exposed to fully dry if you want, but I just wouldn't worry.

All these materials 'breathe', so any remaining trapped damp will evaporate away from the inside.

But do check that layer for signs of rot.

Sounds like a decent shed? What size? I'd give serious consideration to an alternative like box profile roofing sheets, which will look far superior, last pretty much 'forever', might act as a ski launchpad for the pesky cat, and be enjoyable to install.

Check your local FB Marketplace and you might find some available.

Albermarle

Whatever is under the felt layer - OSB, ply, timber sarking boards (you should be able to see it from the inside) - will dry out after the new felt layer is applied.

Is it not the case that if OSB gets wet, it will not necessarily dry back to its original state and might need replacing. Whereas normally you would expect wet timber to dry OK. I am not sure, just asking the question….

WIAWSNB

I would check the layer, whatever it is, for rot or damage, but I would not be concerned about the layer being damp before applying the new felt.

Obvs I'd prefer it to be fully dried, but hey.

I suspect a good proportion of outbuildings are refelted in the rain.

TELLIT01

For a long term solution go for the rubberised sheeting (I can't remember the proper name). It will probably last longer than the shed.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81953324#Comment_81953324

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer ( EPDM) .

B0bbyEwing

Thanks for the feedback. Just to be clear, there's no OSB in place. I said 1inch thick timbers.

Probably do get OSB in that but the only stuff I've dealt with is either 11mm or 18mm thick.

Roof is perhaps 5x1, 6x1 strips, one of those at a guess.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81954458#Comment_81954458

1" thick timber sarking is ideal.

Unless there is obvious rot, which is highly unlikely (it would have to be damp for the best part of a year), then you are good to go.

In this fine weather, tho', why not leave them exposed for a few hours or a day to fully dry? But, if it rains, it's no big deal - it will dry out from underneath after a week or so.

B0bbyEwing

Because if it rains then the internals of the shed get ruined. Stuff has already been wrecked due to the leak.

goldfinches

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81952782#Comment_81952782

Your ski launchpad comment made me think of this!