If your flat roof is leaking in Horsford and you are waiting for a roofer to attend, there are things you can do to limit the damage - and things you should leave well alone.
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When water starts coming through a ceiling, the immediate instinct is often to find the source and fix it. That is a reasonable instinct for a dripping tap. With a flat roof, trying to find the entry point yourself - and especially trying to patch it yourself in the rain - can make things worse rather than better. Here is how to think about the first few hours after you notice the problem.
Before you think about the roof itself, deal with the interior. If water is dripping through a ceiling, place containers to catch the drips and move any furniture, flooring or belongings that are at risk of water damage. If the ceiling is bulging, it may be holding a pocket of water above the plasterboard. Keep everyone out of the room and do not poke, prod or pierce it - a waterlogged ceiling can come down without warning.
Switch off any electrical circuits that run through or below the affected area if there is any chance water is reaching wiring or fittings. Ceiling roses and downlights are a particular risk. If in doubt, switch off the relevant circuit at the consumer unit and leave it off until a qualified person has checked it.
A wet flat roof membrane is slippery. EPDM rubber becomes particularly hazardous when wet - its smooth surface offers very little grip underfoot, and because flat roofs are often accessed via a ladder against a wall, a fall from even a low single-storey roof can cause serious injury. If it is raining, do not attempt to access the roof. Wait until conditions are dry before any inspection.
Even in dry conditions, access to a flat roof should be via a properly footed ladder, with someone present to foot the ladder at the base. Never lean out over a parapet or edge to look at the roof from a window above.
If you have safe access in dry conditions and can locate the obvious source - a visibly lifted edge, a split at an upstand, a cracked collar around a pipe - a temporary patch may reduce further water entry while you wait for professional repair. Self-adhesive flashing tape, sold at builders merchants, can be pressed over a small split or lifted edge on a dry, clean surface. Press it down firmly across the full width of the damaged area and ensure the edges of the tape are fully adhered.
The key word is temporary. Flashing tape is not a repair. It buys time and reduces immediate water ingress, but it is not a substitute for proper membrane work by a roofer. Mention to the roofer that temporary tape has been applied so they can account for it.
If you have a tarpaulin or heavy-duty polythene sheet available and the roof is accessible, draping it over the affected area and weighting the edges with timber or sandbags provides reasonable short-term protection from further rainfall. Secure it so it cannot lift in wind and cause damage to the surrounding area.
Several DIY approaches cause more problems than they solve. Avoid these:
The more information you can give a roofer before and when they arrive, the faster they can assess the situation accurately. Useful things to note and mention:
A drip that only appears after prolonged rain points to a different kind of fault than one that appears immediately in a downpour. A roofer who asks these questions before getting on the roof is more likely to find the actual cause rather than the most obvious-looking candidate.
Locating the source of a flat roof leak is not always straightforward. Water enters at one point, travels along the deck or within the build-up, and emerges somewhere else. A roofer investigating a leak will typically check the most likely entry points first - upstands, flashings, outlets and penetrations - before looking at the field of the membrane itself. This is not guesswork; statistically, edge and junction failures account for the majority of flat roof leaks. A sound, properly installed membrane in the open field rarely splits on its own.
After heavy snow or during a freeze-thaw event, flashings are particularly vulnerable because water that has got behind the flashing freezes, expands and opens the gap further. If your leak appeared during or after cold weather, mention this - it helps narrow down where to look first.
Once the roof has been inspected, the roofer should explain what they found, where the water entry point is and what is needed to fix it properly. If the repair is straightforward - a flashing re-dressed, a split patched with compatible material, an outlet collar re-sealed - it may be possible to carry out the work on the same visit. More complex repairs or replacement may need a further appointment and materials to be ordered.
Ask for the explanation in plain terms. You are entitled to understand what was wrong and what is being done about it. A written confirmation of the work carried out is also worth asking for, particularly if you are claiming on a household insurance policy for internal damage caused by the leak.
Dereham Roofers attend flat roof leaks and carry out repairs and full replacements for homeowners in Horsford and the surrounding area. Call us to describe the problem and arrange for a roofer to attend and give you a clear assessment of what is needed.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
