Flat Roofs and EPDM in Knowle
Rear extensions, dormers, garages and bay tops. We replace tired felt with a one-piece EPDM rubber membrane or GRP, laid on a sound, properly falling deck.
Flat roofs we work on around Knowle
Rear kitchen extensions
A flat roof over a back extension takes the run-off from the main roof above it, so the upstand and flashing where the two meet matter as much as the membrane.
Garages
Many garages around south Bristol still have old felt or asbestos-cement sheet roofs. We can re-cover a garage in EPDM; asbestos sheets need specialist removal first and we will tell you if that is the case.
Dormers and box rooms
Dormer cheeks and tops are exposed and hard to reach. They need a covering that does not crack with temperature changes.
Bay and porch tops
Small flat sections over bays and porches often hold water at the wall. Getting the fall right is the fix, not just a new top layer.
EPDM, GRP or felt
EPDM rubber
A single sheet of synthetic rubber, so on most domestic roofs there are no seams in the field of the roof. It copes well with heat and cold and is our usual recommendation.
GRP fibreglass
Laid as resin and glass matting to give a hard, seamless finish. Good where the roof will take foot traffic or has awkward details.
Torch-on felt
A modern multi-layer felt system is still a reasonable option on some roofs. It is a long way from the single-layer felt that many older extensions were built with.
The deck underneath
Whatever goes on top, a rotten or sagging deck will undo it. We check the boards and the fall, and replace what is needed before laying the membrane.
How a flat roof replacement runs
Survey
We look at the roof, the deck from below where possible, the drainage and where the roof meets the house.
Strip and deck
Old covering off, deck checked or replaced, insulation added if you want a warm roof build-up.
Membrane and trims
EPDM or GRP laid, bonded and finished with edge trims, upstands and a proper outlet into the gutter.
Final check
Water test where practical, clear up, and photos of the finished roof for your records.
Flat roof FAQs
Can you repair a flat roof rather than replace it?
Sometimes. A single split or a failed upstand can be repaired. If water has got into the deck over a large area, replacement is the honest answer.
Why does water sit on my flat roof?
Usually the fall is too shallow or the deck has sagged. A flat roof still needs a slope to drain, and we build that in when we replace one.
Can you add insulation?
Yes. Replacing a flat roof is a good time to add insulation, which may also bring the work under Building Regulations. We will explain what applies.
Is flat roof work guaranteed?
Yes. See our guarantee.
Flat roof letting water in?
Ring us free or send a photo. We will tell you whether it is a repair or a replacement.