Flat Roofing in Wymondham

How we handle flat roofing

Flat Roofing in Wymondham

Flat roofs are found on extensions, garages, outbuildings and parts of the main house across Wymondham and the surrounding towns and villages. They are practical and cost-effective to build, but they do need the right materials and correct detailing to perform well over the long term. If yours is leaking, blistering, ponding water or simply coming to the end of its life, we can assess the situation and give you a straight answer about whether a repair or a full replacement is the right move.

Flat Roof Systems We Work With

Two common systems for flat roofs are traditional felt and EPDM rubber membrane. Each has its place depending on the size of the roof, the budget and the condition of the existing deck.

• Felt flat roofing - built-up felt is a traditional system often found on older extensions and garages. A properly installed three-layer system with a mineral-finish capsheet is durable and cost-effective. Single-layer felt is less expensive but has a shorter lifespan and is more prone to cracking as it ages.
• EPDM rubber roofing - EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a single-ply rubber membrane used on extensions and flat-roofed additions. It is lightweight, flexible and handles freeze-thaw cycles well. A well-laid EPDM roof can remain watertight for many years without the cracking and blistering that eventually affects older felt systems.

We will always explain which system suits your roof before any work begins. The size of the deck, the existing timber structure, any drainage constraints and your budget all play a part in that decision.

Common Flat Roof Problems

Flat roofs fail for several reasons, and identifying the real cause matters before you spend money on a repair. A patch over the wrong area will not stop a leak that is travelling beneath the felt before it enters the building.

• Ponding water - flat roofs are never truly flat; they should have a slight fall toward the outlet or guttering. Where the fall has been lost or was insufficient to begin with, water sits and accelerates the breakdown of the membrane.
• Blistering and cracking - felt blisters when moisture is trapped beneath the surface during installation or when the material reaches the end of its serviceable life. Once cracks appear, water finds its way in quickly.
• Failed upstands and flashings - where the flat roof meets a wall, parapet or chimney, the junction must be properly dressed and sealed. This edge detail is where a large proportion of flat roof leaks originate.
• Rotten decking - once water has been getting in for a while, the timber boards or sheets beneath the membrane soften and lose their structural integrity. Any full replacement must include replacing damaged decking, not just the surface membrane.
• Blocked or undersized outlets - debris builds up around flat roof outlets, especially under trees. Blocked drainage means standing water and, eventually, a leak through a joint or detail that would otherwise be sound.

Flat Roof Repairs vs Full Replacement

Not every problem needs a complete strip and re-cover. A small area of failed flashing, a single split or a damaged outlet can often be resolved with a targeted repair at a fraction of the cost of a full replacement. We will tell you honestly if a repair is likely to buy you another few years of service, or whether the membrane is too far gone for patching to make sense.

As a rough guide, felt flat roofing repairs in the Wymondham area typically start from around £150-£350 for minor work, rising with the scale of the problem. A full felt flat roof replacement on a standard single-storey extension (around 15-25 square metres) generally costs in the region of £800-£1,800 depending on deck condition and access. EPDM installations sit at a similar or slightly higher level depending on material specification. These figures are indicative - we will give you a specific figure once we have seen the roof.

What the Work Involves

On a full replacement, we strip the existing membrane back to the deck, inspect every board and replace any that have softened or delaminated. The new membrane is then laid to the correct fall, with all upstands, edges and outlet details properly dressed. On EPDM systems, the membrane is bonded to the deck across the full surface - not simply loose-laid and ballasted - so there is no risk of it lifting in high winds.

Drainage is checked and cleared as part of the job. Where an outlet is poorly positioned or the fall is working against it, we discuss options with you before we start. Getting the water off the roof reliably is as important as the membrane itself.

Areas We Cover

We work across Wymondham and the nearby towns and villages including Attleborough, Watton, Diss and the Norwich area. If you are unsure whether we cover your location, give us a call to check.

Spray Foam on Flat Roofs

Spray foam insulation has been applied to some flat roofs and loft spaces. On flat roofs it bonds directly to the membrane and decking, making condition surveys and future replacement significantly more complicated. Mortgage lenders and surveyors frequently flag spray foam as a problem on property reports. If your flat roof has spray foam applied to it, we can discuss the removal and replacement options with you.

Getting a Price

The only way to give you an accurate figure is to see the roof. A quick look lets us assess the deck condition, measure accurately and spot any details - such as rooflights, soil pipes or parapet walls - that affect the price. Call us to arrange a visit at a time that suits you.

EPDM flat roofs in the Wymondham area typically cost £50-£90 per square metre supply and fit, depending on roof size, deck condition and the complexity of edge and flashing details.