If you have a flat roof on your home or extension in Hellesdon and you're trying to decide who to call, this page is written to help you ask the right questions before you agree to anything.
Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
A flat roof is not simply a sheet of material nailed down. It needs a correct fall so water drains away, a properly detailed edge to stop water tracking back underneath, and the right membrane for the size and exposure of the roof. Get any one of those wrong and the roof will leak, often within a year or two.
The two materials we install most often are traditional torch-on felt and EPDM rubber. Torch-on felt uses multiple layers bonded together with heat. EPDM is a single-ply rubber membrane that bonds cold. Both can perform well when installed correctly. The material matters less than the detailing around upstands, flashings, outlets and edges.
Old mineral felt, which is what most 1970s and 1980s extensions were built with, typically starts to fail at around 10-15 years. The surface blisters in warm weather, cracks in cold weather, and eventually lets water in. A common problem is pooling water sitting on a roof that was laid without enough fall, accelerating the deterioration.
Poorly sealed flashings where the flat roof meets a wall or parapet are another frequent cause of leaks. Water works its way behind the flashing and into the wall or ceiling, often appearing as a damp patch well away from the actual entry point, which makes the source hard to trace without experience.
Spray foam, which was sold widely as a roof fix some years ago, causes additional problems. It masks the true condition of the underlying structure, makes future repairs harder, and can affect a mortgage valuation if it has been used inside a pitched roof void above a flat section. Removing it properly before relaying a flat roof covering is a separate job that should be costed in if it applies to your property.
This is the part most homeowners skip, and it is where most regrettable decisions are made. A price alone tells you very little. Two quotes for the same flat roof can differ by hundreds of pounds because one contractor is cutting corners on materials, fall correction or edge detailing that the other is including properly.
Before you agree to any flat roofing work in Hellesdon, ask these questions directly:
Be cautious if a contractor pushes you to decide the same day, asks for a large cash deposit before starting, or cannot give you a written breakdown of what is included in the price. A reputable tradesperson will give you time to compare quotes and will not object to questions about materials and method.
Vague descriptions like "new flat roof system" or "full replacement" without specifying the membrane, the deck inspection, the drainage fall or the edge detail should prompt you to ask for more information. If the contractor cannot or will not answer, look elsewhere.
Flat roof replacement in the UK typically costs between £70 and £120 per square metre, depending on the system used, the condition of the existing deck, and the complexity of the edge and flashing details. A standard garage or single-storey extension roof of around 20-25 square metres will often fall in the range of £1,500-£3,000 fully completed. EPDM tends to sit at the higher end of that range; torch-on felt at the lower end for a basic system.
These are honest typical figures. Be cautious of quotes significantly below this range, as something is usually being omitted - commonly the deck inspection, fall correction, or proper edge detailing.
Not every flat roof problem needs a full replacement. A localised blister, a failed lap joint or a lifted flashing can often be repaired cleanly if the rest of the roof covering is still sound. A proper repair starts with finding the actual entry point of the water, which is not always where the damp patch appears inside. We carry out flat roof repairs across Hellesdon and the surrounding area including Taverham and nearby parts of Norwich.
If a roof has been patched repeatedly and the covering is generally brittle or blistered across its surface, repair becomes poor value and a full strip and re-cover is the better option. Any honest assessment of the roof should tell you clearly which situation you are in.
A flat roof that fails lets water into the structure of your home. Left unchecked, that moisture damages timber, plasterwork and insulation, and can work its way into the main building fabric. The cost of repairing internal damage from a leaking flat roof often exceeds the cost of a new roof covering. Getting the work done properly the first time is not just about the roof - it is about protecting the building beneath it.
We cover Hellesdon, Wymondham and the wider area including Attleborough, Watton, Diss and neighbouring towns. Call us to arrange a visit so we can look at the roof properly before giving you a price.
No obligation · We'll call you to arrange a free visit
Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
