Do I need to get building control approval for replacing felt on my felt roof?

eternaloptimist1 · 3 Aug 2015

I am thinking of replacing the felt on my flat roof. The roof is trouble free, has been up for 20 years or more, no leaks or any condensation. I simply want to renew the covering to avoid any problems as these coverings have a limited life. My question is, do I need to obtain building regulations approval and pay their totally unjustifable fees? ( I believe the council has private inspectors). The roof was constructed and complied with building regulations that were in force at the time of construction.

It does have 2 inches of insulation with a vapour barrier underneath it and 2 inches of airgap between the top of the insulation and the deck.

The work will be carried out by a tradesman ( not a registered competent person I hasten to add).

freddiemercurystwin · 3 Aug 2015

Technically yes unless you can prove there will not be a 15 year payback.

OwainDIYer · 3 Aug 2015

No, ordinary maintenance and repair isn't notifiable. If you were altering (even upgrading) the insulation that might be notifiable.

eternaloptimist1 · 3 Aug 2015

freddymercurystwin said:
Technically yes unless you can prove there will not be a 15 year payback.

Thank you. Please can you clarify that I need to or do not need to upgrade the insulation?

oldbutnotdead · 3 Aug 2015

Strictly speaking, if you are replacing the roof covering then you'd have to upgrade insulation to current standards as part of your 'renewing thermal elements' job (see caveat about 15 year payback). However, if you merely overclad the existing felt with your new covering then no such requirement applies.

And with the felt presumably there are some boards between the felt and insulation?- if there are and you don't take them off then you are effectively overcladding an existing roof rather than removing and replacing IYSWIM

Same as if you hack off internal wall finishes you have to upgrade insulation, if you leave wall finish alone and just overboard or skim then you don't have to.

eternaloptimist1 · 3 Aug 2015

OwainDIYer said:
No, ordinary maintenance and repair isn't notifiable. If you were altering (even upgrading) the insulation that might be notifiable.

That is what I would have thought. All I am doing is merely replacing a perishable membrane with another one.

eternaloptimist1 · 3 Aug 2015

oldbutnotdead said:
Strictly speaking, if you are replacing the roof covering then you'd have to upgrade insulation to current standards as part of your 'renewing thermal elements' job (see caveat about 15 year payback). However, if you merely overclad the existing felt with your new covering then no such requirement applies.

I dont think laying a new layer of felt on existing covering is possible. Again I dont know for sure not being an expert. Is it usual to stick another layer on top?

^woody^ · 3 Aug 2015

The adding of a layer of flat roof felt for repair is specifically mentioned as being exempt from renovation, and thus from notification to the council

It's a bit vague as to what "repair" actually means, as in this context, a repair of the thermal element could be the replacement of the felt, and not just repair of a layer of the thermal element ie a felt repair.

If it's just the felt, then it could be replaced without notifying. If you find that the deck needs to be changed to, (or suspect it does right from the start) then the work will need notifying.

As always, the requirement is the "consider" upgrading the insulation based on a 15 year payback.

eternaloptimist1 · 3 Aug 2015

^woody^ said:
The adding of a layer of flat roof felt for repair is specifically mentioned as being exempt from renovation, and thus from notification to the council

If it's just the felt, then it could be replaced without notifying. If you find that the deck needs to be changed to, (or suspect it does right from the start) then the work will need notifying.

Thanks for the clarification. Just one more question. Is it OK to stick another layer of felt on top? There is an awful lot of dirt and debris on it which no doubt can be swept away and hoovered up, but will it be clean enough for the extra layer to bond?

^woody^ · 3 Aug 2015

eternaloptimist1 said:
Is it OK to stick another layer of felt on

Not normally for felt or similar sheet products. The only one that comes to mind is a liquid plastic system.

If the existing felt is so bad as to require replacement, then it may not be bonded or be a suitable base to go over in any case.

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Do I need to get building control approval for replacing felt on my felt roof?

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