Haverhill Roofers provides flat roof repairs and full replacements for homeowners in Wickhambrook, working on garages, extensions and dormers using EPDM rubber and felt systems.
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When a flat roof starts causing problems, the first question is nearly always the same: is this worth repairing, or does the whole thing need to come off? The answer genuinely depends on what is happening with the roof, how old it is, and what the underlying deck looks like once you get into it. This page works through the decision properly so you know what to ask and what to expect.
We serve Wickhambrook and surrounding areas from our base in Haverhill, covering flat roofs on garages, extensions and dormers.
A flat roof is not completely flat - it should have a slight fall to carry rainwater to an outlet or a drip edge. The surface membrane sits over a timber deck, which itself sits on joists. When the membrane fails, water gets into the deck. Once the deck is saturated, the timber softens and begins to rot, and the problem quickly becomes more expensive than the membrane failure alone.
Mineral felt and EPDM rubber are common surface systems on flat roofs. Older roofs are almost always felt. Felt is a layered system and can work well, but it is vulnerable to UV degradation over time, thermal movement (the surface expands and contracts with temperature changes), and poor installation. EPDM is a single-ply rubber membrane that handles thermal movement better and tends to be more durable, making it a popular choice for replacements.
A repair is a sensible option when the problem is localised and the rest of the roof is genuinely sound. The following situations may suit a repair rather than a full strip-and-relay:
A well-executed repair on a roof with life remaining is not a compromise - it is the right call. Replacing a roof that has another five to eight years in it is an unnecessary expense.
There are situations where patching simply delays the inevitable and costs more overall. Replacement is usually the better decision when:
The age of a felt flat roof matters. Mineral felt, when well installed and maintained, can last 15-25 years. EPDM rubber tends to last longer. If a roof is already at or beyond that range, a localised repair may buy a year or two but rarely prevents the need for a full replacement soon after.
A proper assessment is not done from the ground. The contractor needs to get onto the roof, probe the deck in any areas where the membrane looks suspect, and check the upstands and flashings at every wall junction. Soft spots in the deck - areas where it gives underfoot - indicate moisture ingress and likely timber decay.
If the deck is sound in most areas but damaged in one, it is possible to repair or replace that section of decking locally as part of a targeted repair. If the damage is widespread, a full re-deck alongside membrane replacement is necessary.
An honest assessment will tell you clearly what proportion of the roof is in good condition and what is not. If a contractor looks at a roof for five minutes from the hatch and quotes immediately without probing the deck, be cautious about the quality of the recommendation.
When a flat roof does need replacing, the work follows a clear sequence. The old felt and any existing layers are stripped back to the deck. The deck is inspected board by board and any rotten or damaged sections are replaced. The fall is checked and corrected if necessary, sometimes using tapered insulation or reboarding. The new membrane is laid and fully bonded or mechanically fixed. Upstands are formed at every wall junction and lead or aluminium flashing is dressed in over the top and tucked into the brickwork.
Each of those steps matters. Skipping the deck inspection, laying over existing felt, or cutting corners on the flashings are where poor flat roofing jobs go wrong - and the problems usually appear within a year or two.
For a single-car garage roof of roughly 15-18 square metres, a felt replacement typically costs in the region of £800-£1,500 depending on deck condition and access. An EPDM rubber system will generally cost more upfront - expect £1,200-£2,000 for a similar-sized roof - but the material tends to outlast standard felt. Deck replacement adds to the cost; a full re-deck on a garage roof might add £300-£600 depending on how much boarding needs to come out.
Repairs vary widely depending on the size of the affected area. A small localised repair - patching a blister or resealing a lap joint - might cost £150-£400. A more substantial repair covering a larger area will cost more. Any quote should be specific about what is being done.
Beyond flat roofs, we repair and replace pitched roof coverings including tiles and slates, re-bed and repoint ridge tiles, replace lead flashing around chimneys and dormers, and deal with storm damage as it arises. We cover Wickhambrook, Haverhill, Steeple Bumpstead, Sturmer, Saffron Walden and surrounding villages including Linton and Great Yeldham.
If you are not sure whether your flat roof needs a repair or a full replacement, call us for a roof survey. We will inspect the surface, check the deck condition, and give you a clear recommendation with a written quote for whichever option makes sense. We will not recommend replacement if a repair will genuinely serve you, and we will tell you plainly if the roof is past the point where repair is worthwhile.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
