Flat Roofing & Flat Roof Repairs

Flat roofing done properly

We are a pitched-roofing-led firm, but flat roofs are a regular part of what we do, and we apply the same standards to them. Whether it is a garage, an extension, a dormer or a porch, a flat roof needs the right system and a clean installation to stay watertight. With over 20 years on Essex roofs, we install and repair flat roofs across Colchester and the surrounding area, and every job is quoted transparently with a free, no-obligation survey and photos of the problem.

Systems we install and repair

There is no single best flat roof covering. The right choice depends on the size of the roof, the budget and how the area is used. We work with the three main systems:

• Felt (torch-on): a proven, cost-effective built-up system, ideal for garages and outbuildings. Modern torch-on felt typically lasts around 15 to 20 years when well laid.
• EPDM rubber: a single durable membrane with very few joins, well suited to larger or awkward roofs. Properly installed EPDM can last 25 years or more.
• Fibreglass (GRP): a seamless, hard-wearing finish that handles foot traffic well, such as on balconies, with a lifespan of around 20 to 25 years.

Common flat roof problems

Flat roofs rarely fail without warning. The usual culprits we are called out to are:

• Pooling water where the fall is too shallow or drainage has blocked, accelerating wear
• Splits and cracks in older felt that has gone brittle
• Blistering caused by trapped moisture under the covering
• Failed seams and laps where water finds its way in

If you have noticed any of the signs on our guide to a roof that needs replacing, it is worth having the roof looked at before a small defect becomes an interior leak.

Repair or replace?

A localised split, a lifted seam or a single blister can usually be repaired, and where the covering is otherwise sound that is the economical route. Replacement makes more sense when the membrane has reached the end of its life, when there are problems across the whole surface, or when water has already worked into the deck below. We will tell you honestly which applies and back our recommendation with photos.

All of our flat roof repairs carry our 3-year guarantee, and new flat roof installations are covered by our 10-year guarantee. If a problem is sitting where a flat roof meets a wall or pitched section, our roof repair and lead flashing work often go hand in hand with the flat roofing itself.