Norwich Roofers installs EPDM and felt flat roofs for homeowners in Stalham, and we believe the aftercare you carry out yourself is just as important as the installation itself.
We install and repair flat roofs on extensions, garages, outbuildings, and single-storey additions across the Norwich area, including Stalham and the villages nearby. The materials we specify are EPDM rubber membrane and reinforced felt systems. EPDM is a single-ply synthetic rubber bonded to the roof deck; it handles temperature movement without cracking and, when correctly installed, significantly outlasts traditional mineral felt. Reinforced felt is a multi-layer bitumen system that is a practical, cost-effective alternative where EPDM is not specified.
A flat roof should be surveyed before it is priced. We check the deck condition, the falls, the upstands, and the drainage outlet before we put a number on the work. A proper survey allows a specification to be written rather than a vague estimate.
A pitched roof sheds debris and water by gravity. A flat roof collects both. Leaves, moss, and windblown grit accumulate on the surface and around the drain outlet, and if they are left there, they cause problems that a good installation cannot prevent on its own. The good news is that most of what shortens a flat roof's life prematurely is avoidable with straightforward checks that any homeowner can carry out.
A flat roof that is properly maintained will serve you far longer than the same roof that is ignored. The steps below are simple, take very little time, and cost nothing beyond the occasional hour of your attention.
Blocking is the single most common cause of premature flat roof failure. When the outlet is blocked, water pools on the surface. Flat roofs are designed with a fall toward the outlet - usually a minimum fall of 1 in 80 - but that fall is only effective if the outlet is clear. Standing water adds weight to the structure, softens the bond between the membrane and the deck over time, and in frost can expand and open splits at seams and upstands.
Check the outlet at least twice a year - once in late autumn after the leaves have fallen, and once in early spring. Remove any debris by hand (never use a pressure washer directly over the outlet or membrane). If the outlet has a leaf guard or strainer, check it has not been displaced.
Moss and algae grow on flat roofs that retain moisture or are shaded for long periods. They are not just unsightly - moss holds moisture against the membrane surface and, where it grows into lap joints or around upstands, can lift bonded edges over time. A biocide treatment applied on a dry day deals with growth without the physical damage that scrubbing or pressure washing can cause. Do not use a pressure washer on an EPDM or felt membrane - the force can lift seams and force water under the membrane edge.
If growth is heavy or recurring, consider whether an overhanging branch is the cause. Trimming it back reduces shade and debris, and is often the most practical long-term solution.
The upstand is where the flat roof membrane turns up the wall - typically by at least 150 mm - and is then covered by a flashing, usually lead or a compatible membrane trim. This junction is the most vulnerable point on any flat roof. Thermal movement causes the material to expand and contract, and over years this can lift the flashing edge or open a gap between the flashing and the wall.
After a spell of strong winds or heavy rain, it is worth looking at the base of any internal walls adjacent to the flat roof for damp patches or watermarks. If you spot one, the upstand or flashing is the first place to investigate. Do not leave it - a small gap at an upstand can allow water to track behind the membrane and saturate the deck without the leak being immediately visible inside the building.
Blisters are raised bubbles in the membrane surface. On a felt roof, they form when moisture trapped beneath the membrane turns to vapour in warm weather and pushes the felt up from the deck. On EPDM, a blister more often indicates a bonding failure in a localised area. Neither is an emergency on its own, but both are worth monitoring.
A blister that stays the same size and does not crack is less urgent than one that is growing or that has split at the surface. If a blister splits, water can enter the gap during rain. Have any split blister looked at before winter - do not attempt to seal it yourself with tape or mastic, as these temporary fixes often trap moisture and make the underlying repair more difficult.
The most effective aftercare programme for a flat roof is also the simplest:
None of this requires specialist knowledge. What it does require is that you actually do it, rather than leaving the roof until a leak forces your hand.
Call us when you see: a new damp patch on a ceiling beneath the flat roof; a flashing that has visibly lifted or separated from the wall; a blister that has cracked or grown noticeably; standing water that has not drained within 48 hours of rain; or any soft, springy area underfoot if you do access the roof. These are signs the roof needs professional attention, not DIY intervention.
We cover Stalham and the wider area from Norwich. Call us to arrange a flat roof survey and get a proper written specification for whatever the roof needs.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
