Flat Roof Repair in Reading

Flat roofs are everywhere in Reading: on rear extensions behind Victorian terraces, on garages, porches and dormers, and on 1960s and 1970s houses. They're cheaper to build than pitched roofs, but they wear faster. Older felt roofs often last 10 to 20 years, while EPDM rubber and GRP fibreglass roofs usually last longer if they're well installed.

Many leaks come from the edges rather than the middle of the roof: the flashing where the roof meets a wall, the trims at the edge, or the seal around a rooflight. These can often be repaired. Ponding, where water sits on the roof for days after rain, is a sign the roof doesn't fall properly towards its gutter, and it shortens the life of any covering. Blistering, cracking or split felt across a large area usually means the covering is at the end of its life, and patching will only buy time.

If the roof needs replacing, ask about the material. Felt is usually cheapest. EPDM rubber is a single sheet with few joints. GRP fibreglass gives a hard, walkable finish, which is useful on a dormer or balcony. If the roof is over a heated room, such as an extension or dormer, replacing most of it normally means the insulation has to be brought up to current building regulations standards. Your roofer should explain how that will be done and whether building control needs to be told. Garage roofs over unheated space don't usually need this.

When you post your job, include photos of the roof and of any damp inside, and say how big the roof is and how you get to it. Ask for a written quote that names the material, the guarantee, and whether rotten decking, edge trims and gutters are included. Reviews on Trade Pilot come from real, invoiced jobs, so you can see how other homeowners rated a roofer's work.