Norwich Roofers carries out flat roof replacements and repairs in Poringland, and this page walks you through exactly what a proper installation looks like from first visit to final clean-up.
Many homeowners have never had a flat roof replaced and are not sure what the process involves, how long it takes, or what the roofers need access to. Knowing the sequence of a job means you can spot whether it is being done properly, and it removes the uncertainty of having tradespeople working on your home.
We work in Poringland and across the wider Norwich area. Below is a plain account of how we approach a flat roof replacement - from the initial visit through to leaving the site clean.
Before any price is agreed, we carry out a survey of the existing roof. We are looking at several things: the condition of the current membrane or felt surface; whether there are signs of trapped moisture in the build-up; whether the deck beneath is sound; whether the existing falls are adequate; and how the edges, outlets, and upstands are currently detailed.
We also measure the roof area accurately at this stage, because the membrane order and the decking materials are based on those measurements. A survey that consists of a two-minute look from a ladder is not enough to write a reliable specification or quote.
After the survey, we provide a written specification before any work starts. This sets out what is being stripped, what decking will be replaced, which membrane system is being installed, how upstands and edges will be finished, and what fall correction, if any, is needed. You should have that document in your hands before you sign anything.
The first day of work normally begins with stripping back the existing surface to the deck. On a felt roof, this means peeling off the felt layers, removing any chippings, and clearing the deck surface. On a torch-on system, the same applies. Everything stripped comes off the roof and into a skip or a van - we do not leave old felt and debris on the roof deck.
Once the deck is clear, we inspect it in detail. This is the point at which deck damage, if any, becomes visible. Soft spots, delamination, rot at edges, or boards that have swollen from water ingress will all show up now. Any damaged boards are marked and the customer is told before replacement work begins, along with the additional cost. There should be no surprises here if the survey was thorough, but deck condition can sometimes be worse than expected once the old surface is up.
Sound decking is the foundation the membrane is built on. Where boards need replacing, we cut out the damaged sections and fit new tongue-and-groove OSB or plywood to the same thickness as the existing deck, typically 18mm or 22mm. The boards are fixed down securely - usually with ring-shank nails or screws into the joists below - before anything goes over the top.
If the existing falls are inadequate and water has been ponding, this is the point at which tapered insulation boards may be fitted to recreate a proper gradient. The minimum fall required is 1:80, which equates to roughly 12mm of rise for every metre of roof. Getting the falls right is not optional - a new membrane laid over a roof that still ponds will deteriorate faster than it should.
We install EPDM rubber membranes on flat roofs in Poringland. EPDM comes in large rolls and, where possible, a single sheet covers the entire roof surface without any field seams. Before the membrane goes down, the deck is swept clear of any debris, dust, or sharp edges. Nails or screws sitting proud of the deck surface are punched down or removed, because even small protrusions can cause punctures in a membrane under load.
Contact adhesive is applied to both the deck and the underside of the membrane. There is a waiting period for the adhesive to become tacky, then the membrane is carefully rolled out and pressed into position. Working from one side of the roof, we lay the sheet out flat and use a roller to bond it firmly and remove any air pockets. There is no heat involved in bonding EPDM to a deck - it is a cold-applied, adhesive-bonded system.
Any joins in the membrane - at corners, around outlets, or where sheet lengths overlap - are made using purpose-made EPDM tape and bonding adhesive. These joints are pressed and rolled to ensure a watertight bond. The quality of these details is where the difference between a good and a poor flat roofing job is most visible.
The edges of the roof are dressed over the timber fascia board and secured with aluminium or EPDM drip trim, which is mechanically fixed and then sealed. This edge detail controls where water runs off the roof and prevents wind from lifting the membrane at the perimeter.
Where the roof meets a wall or upstand, the membrane is turned up the vertical face to a minimum height of 150mm above roof level. It is bonded to the wall and finished with a termination bar - a metal strip mechanically fixed to the wall that holds the top edge of the membrane firmly in place. The top of the termination bar is then sealed against the wall. This detail is critical: it is the most common failure point on any flat roof and it needs to be done correctly.
Where lead flashings are involved - for instance at a junction with a chimney or an abutment with the main house wall - these are cut, dressed, and wedged into the mortar joint before being pointed up. Lead work takes time to do properly and should not be rushed.
Outlets are checked and, where necessary, replaced with purpose-made EPDM-compatible outlets that bond directly to the membrane. The membrane is dressed into the outlet collar and sealed. A poorly fitted outlet detail is a common source of leaks, because water concentrates at low points and any gap is quickly exploited.
Where a downpipe connects to the outlet, we check that the pipe is clear and free-flowing before reconnecting it. A new roof feeding into a blocked downpipe is a problem that will show up the first time it rains heavily.
Once the membrane is down and all details are finished, we carry out a visual check of the whole surface - looking at every edge, outlet, upstand, and join. Any area that does not meet the standard should be corrected before the roofer leaves.
All waste from the job - stripped felt, old timber, packaging - is removed from site. We sweep up around the property and check for any nails or fixings that may have dropped during the work.
If you are planning a flat roof replacement in Poringland or the surrounding area, call us to arrange a survey and we will walk you through exactly what the job involves before you commit to anything.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
