LEAKING FLAT ROOF

[DELL]

I recently bought a house on the coast which has a converted outhouse coalcupboard/toilet.The wall to the house has been knocked through to make a utility room ajoining the main kitchen.
Recent heavy rain resulted in water ingress to the kitchen via the join between the main house and the outhouse. I painted the flat tar roof with a repair compound and flashing tape which cured the leak. How long will this last and do I need a new roof covering?

 

[breezer]

how long does it say it will last for on the boxes / packets of the products yiou used?

 

[DELL]

Hello Breezer,
Well Iam a multi tradesman but roofing just aint my line honest.
Seriously though the repair bitumen says that it is for emergency all weather use only. I applied the stuff in pouring rain and it stopped it. So it seems it did what it said on the tin, but for how long?. Define emergency.
The roof I think dates from the early 1940s and it dosn`t look as if it`s been renewed in all it`s years. What do you think?

 

[masona]

What is the roof made of ?

 

[GwaiLo]

I wouldn't expect anything that comes out of a tin to last more than a season personally.

I'd aim to get some proper permament reapirs done over the spring/summer.

It sounds as though the flashing is the problem, but if you renew it in lead it will last for decades.

 

[breezer]

not that i watch it you understand, but i have "seen" a product on a very famous tv shopping channel where the diy expert puts down a "gauze" then paints it with the product and then pours water over it and it doesn't leak (sorry forgot to mention it was over a hole in a "tray")

he then goes on to say what he has used it on, blah, blah, blah,.......and it will last for years, but if was no good the shopping channel wouldn't still be selling it, (i have seen it a few times over a couple of years) and it indeed does come out of a tin.

that is why i asked on my other post what does it say on the tin.

But having said all that, i don't like the bloke so i wouldn't buy it

 

[DAZB]

There is a product for flat roof repairs called Flexacryl which is best described as a gloopy Blu-Tak type substance which is painted on the desired area. It is impregnated with fibres which binds it all together and I have used it several times with very good results. It comes in a tin and is not just a quick fix method being designed for permanent repairs on all kinds of roofs.Have a look at
this

 

[GwaiLo]

I am always sceptical about products that haven't either stood the test of time (traditional fixes if you like) or haven't undergone any recognised independent testing (meeting a relevant BS or having an agrement certificate).

On the occasions that I provide expert witness testimony in disputes between builders and thier customers this is often a significant factor in who gets the judgement.

I can't claim to be familiar with each and every product on the market, but my experience is that manufacturers of durable products are keen to get them tested and the performabce verified.

I couldn't honestly say that there isn't a "canned" product out there that is durable. I suppose it is inevitable that I tend to see failures rather than successes.

 

[masona]

I tend to find "canned product" is for quick temporary repairs until a long term solution can be found,even bitumen flashband are no good as it relied on high softening point for flexiblity in warm weather,cold weather bitumen become hard and brittle which stop the expansion flexibity.As GwaiLo said,lead materials will last for decades.

 

[DELL]

Well I thank you all for your comments and possible solutions.
The roof is original in that it is made of poured asphalt, not felt and asphalt so I suppose the only real solution is to get the thing replaced completely.
What say you all?
DELL

 

[the lone roofer]

Hi, came across this site by accident on a search and found it interesting. Your problem sounds(from you comments) like a very common driving rain one. this can happen when the rain is forced by the wind against an abutment or when there is a lot of rain focused on a susceptible area. it is common when outside walls are turned into inside walls like when an extension is built against the main property and the wall below is knocked through or kept. water hitting the wall above the area can soak in and behind any existing waterproofing which typically only goes an inch or so into the wall. if the rest of the roof area is not causing a problem then you could address the dampness by inserting a lead flashing into the wall. using an angle grinder with a diamond disc, cut a slot as deep as you can and clear it of as much dust as you can, at least two inches should do. then working on a section at a time fill part of the groove with lead sealant or a good silicone sealant and slide the lead sections into it. give a lap of 4 inches between pieces. after dressing the lead apply a bead of lead sealant to the top of the lead(where it disappears into the wall) make sure all is dry and dust free before any sealant is applied. alternatively, if the roof is old and showing signs of breaking down get it re-done by a reputable roofer but insist on a deep lead flashing in the wall when they do it or new roof or not the problem will come back.

 

[DELL]

Thanks Lone Roofer.
I think that because of theage of the roof I will replace it and have lead flashing

 

[towarmaster]

Hi,

Take a look at the following site. It suggests that you can cover any roof with a flat rubber substance, that is not a quick fix and is guaranteed to last 20 years

see this [url]

Regards

 

[adybuttress]

Have a look at this site. They specialise in flat roofs, and my neighbour used them recently. He was very pleased with the product and service.

www.permaroof.co.uk they use Firestone epdm rubber thats literally in 1 piece

Hope this helps

 

[jwhburns]

Permaroof is ok but I'm really I'm not so sure about their services. There firestone epdm rubber is quite good have to say and their products are excellent.

For service RAM Consultancy worked on my roof and I was welcomed by a good price (compared to local tradesmen), professional staff, educated if there was a problem. In the end there was a small leak in my flat roof but it was a very simple solution to cover it and check if water was within the insulation.

Thankfully there wasn't much and they went through it all perfectly with me. I would thoroughly recommend them anyday, I think they offer their services nationwide as well.

there website is here - www.roofconsultancy.com

hope this helps