Flat roof repairs

Book a repair inspection, not a replacement by default

Tell us which room or outbuilding is affected, whether water comes in continuously or only in particular weather, and whether the roof is felt, rubber or fibreglass. You do not need to identify the material before calling. A photograph taken safely from a window or the ground can help explain the problem without anyone walking on the roof.

Our inspection considers the whole water route: the surface, its seams, the raised edges against walls, rooflight surrounds and the outlet. The visible drip may be below a different part of the roof because moisture can spread across the deck. We explain the suspected entry point and provide a written quotation for the proposed work.

Felt, EPDM and GRP need different repairs

Felt roof repair starts with the condition of the layers and their overlaps. An isolated split or a lifted lap is different from widespread cracking, repeated blisters or a covering that has become brittle. A patch needs a suitable surrounding surface; covering over loose or failed material does not answer what caused the leak.

On EPDM rubber, seams, edge trims and connections deserve attention alongside the membrane itself. With GRP fibreglass, the surface and its junctions need checking for cracks or separation. The appropriate repair follows the existing system. Applying the same product to every flat roof risks concealing the defect rather than resolving it, so the covering is identified before a method is agreed.

Garage and extension roofs: check the edges

A garage roof repair may involve the connection to the house, not the middle of the garage roof. A rear-wall flashing, an upstand that has come away or an outlet feeding into a blocked gutter can all concentrate water at one edge. On extensions, rooflights and the meeting point between the flat roof and the original wall add further details to inspect.

Standing water also needs its own explanation. An obstructed outlet and an inadequate fall are different problems, even if both leave a puddle after rain. Clearing drainage cannot correct a soft deck, and a surface patch cannot change the roof's slope. The inspection distinguishes those issues so the quotation describes the part that actually needs attention.

When a patch is not the right purchase

Repeated repairs across several areas can mean the covering has reached the point where isolated work is no longer worthwhile. If the deck is softened by moisture or failures extend across the surface, opening the roof may be necessary to deal with what lies beneath. We set out that distinction rather than describing every leak as a small patching job.

For a broader comparison of EPDM, GRP and felt, use our flat roofing service page. This repair page is for customers who already have a faulty roof and want to understand the next practical step. The flat roof repair guide explains the signs in more detail, while the main service covers replacement systems when repair cannot provide a sound result.

Coverage and information for your quotation

We work from Costessey across Norwich and Norfolk, including Great Yarmouth; it does not imply a separate depot or an arrival time in any of those towns. Give your postcode when enquiring so access and the visit can be discussed.

Before accepting work, ask which detail will be repaired, whether drainage or decking is included, and how any additional damage discovered underneath will be handled. Inspections and written quotations are free. Emergency weatherproofing is a separate scope of work where it is needed, and permanent repair depends on safe access and suitable conditions.

Common questions

How do you fix a leaking flat roof?

Identify the entry point and the covering first. A compatible repair to a seam, flashing, trim or damaged area may be enough where the rest of the roof is sound.

Can I repair a flat roof myself?

Do not walk onto a leaking roof to investigate it. Its deck may be weakened. Describe the leak and arrange an inspection rather than using a general-purpose coating without a diagnosis.

Does garage roof repair always mean replacement?

No. A local fault may be repairable. Widespread covering failure or a soft deck can make replacement more appropriate; the inspection establishes which applies.