Roof Repair: How to fix a leaking flat roof

The Leaking Flat Roof Repair Guide

This post has been recently updated with new information

Repairing a flat roof (be that a school or hospital, outhouse or storage) is similar to fixing a puncture on a bicycle tyre. There does come a time when emergency fixes suffice, and others when a permanent flat roof repair job is required. Simple roof repair DIY fixes are great, although if you are ready to take the next step and look at doing a more complicated professional level fix, read on.

Water torture can be unbearable, especially dripping through the ceiling on a cold and windy night. Nobody wants to get the step ladder out and risk a National Lampoon’s accident, so all Chevy Chase advice has been omitted from this article.

TIP 1: For safety purposes, never use a simple step ladder when repairing a flat roof – due to the height, even on low roofs, use scaffolding or a stable platform. Ensure there is no public risk and if in doubt, contact a professional for advice.

 

Flat Roof Basics

Although they are named flat roofs, they all should in fact be slanted to a gradient of at least 1 in 80. This allows for water to run off it and prevents water from pooling in areas that may sag over time and get further damage from exposure to harsh seasonal elements.

Different coverings include:

• Reinforced torch-on felt / built-up felt
• Single ply membrane:
• EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer – M-class) rubber
• TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin)
• PVC membranes
• Polymer modified mastic asphalt
• Sheet metals (zinc, stainless steel or copper)

Part L of the Building Regulations (Conservation of Fuel and Power) dictate re-covered flat roofs above habitable parts of a building (not including garages or outhouses) must be insulated to the current standard (do this by notifying the local authority’s building control dept). This can be done by laying rigid foam insulation boards on top of weatherproof covering.

Early Signs That a Flat Roof Needs to Be Repaired

Long before the dripping through the ceiling starts, dark brown patches of moisture can develop, as damp from a damaged flat roof seeps slowly through. It is at this stage that you need to get the leak fixed or at least investigated to check whether it is a small joint fix that is required or something bigger. If you are in doubt about the safety of climbing onto a flat roof and whether it can sustain your weight, please do contact a local professional roofer.

If the roof is old and in an exposed area, its timbers may have become rotten over a sustained period of time. Timber can also sag under pools of accumulated water and old chipboard decks can break up/disintegrate when damp – look for concentric circle stains from dried up water in low spots on the roofing too and not just for pools of water.

TIP 2: Place a board across the flat roof to walk on and spread your weight. Do not position the board close to an edge and place ‘markers’ in areas that may otherwise be in your blind-spot.

Locating the source of the leak is not as easy as looking directly above where the damp patch is on the ceiling. Water can get under the surface and run in any number of directions between layers before it leaks through the boarding and into the room below.

Should the condition of the roof have deteriorated beyond repair, it may be time to call a professional in to survey or replace the whole roof. Look for major tears, ripples or splits and take photographs to show to a professional roofer if necessary, as small fixes to big problems can lead to longer term headaches and financial woes.

How to Find a Leak on a Flat Roof

The best time to look for a leak is when the roof has been dry for at least three days, and in the evening/night-time, when after cooling down, the flat roof leak ‘hot-spot’ will release heat that has stored underneath the hole during the day.

If this technique is not possible, below are other ways to detect a leak on a flat roof – and remember to clearly mark the area of the leak when you find it:

• Firstly, measure, from the outside wall of the room, along the ceiling to the damp spot/dripping area. You may find, especially on more slanting flat roofs, that there is no damage or ponding of water above this marker.
• Next, it’s time to look directly upwards of this area for somewhere that could cause the leak – usually around obstacles or junctions – for example, step or metal flashing that has come loose due to heat expansion and may need replacing or repairing (around chimneys and skylights). Check for loose tar and materials that may provide gaps in which rain water could seep through – if it can be pried back under inspection, then water can get into it.
• The sun’s heat can cause movement of a roof structure, creating splits or cracks and whilst the roof felt’s flexibility should be able to withstand this, be observant for small areas of damage by clearing away leaves, chippings or other debris. Check any seam in the roofing material, as any gap or hole could be the culprit causing the leaking roof.
• Check that there are no missing roof nails, or excessive rust damage on existing ones, as these may be causing the leak. At the same time, inspect the guttering around the flat roof for blockages or leaks that are accelerating the deterioration of the leakage area.
• Plants should be kept for internal flower pots and in garden beds, so if you see any on the flat roof, this could be another place where water is collecting and where the leak could potentially be.
• If there are any flaws in the top layer, like additional roofing tar patches or caulking, these are temporary patches that may have deteriorated quickly due to poor application.
• Should you still not be able to find the leak, it is time to start adding water, with a hosepipe or manually applied, to the roof in small sections, whilst someone checks the inside ceiling. Remember, water takes the least resistant path to get to where the dripping/damp patch is, so do not predict the leak to be directly above it. This process can be time consuming and the more detailed and regimented that it is executed, the more accurate it can be in determining the location of the damage on the flat roof.

Repairing a Flat Roof Leak

The flat roof should be clear of all debris – even if the leak has been found, to ensure there isn’t more damage that needs repairing at the same time. Then, before washing the area that needs repair work, make sure that safety procedures have been set up and that no ‘through-way’ from anywhere on the roof to the exit is blocked by any obstacles or excessively slippery. Wear hi-vis clothing if possible and when using a hose-pipe or pressure washer, do not have piping trailing where it can easily be tripped over by people accessing or leaving the flat roof area.

Asphalt Flat Roof Repair

Common damage issues include blistering (bumps of trapped moisture which can burst) in the asphalt from heat conditions, cracks, wrinkles and/or splits, and sagging.

Emergency Fix

Applying Rust-Oleum Mathys Fillcoat Fibres to the crack/damage works very well as an emergency solution to seal gaps. All products sold at Rawlins Paints come with instructions and usually PDFs are also available for download.

Permanent Fix (Longer-Term Fixes)

Asphalt roofs can be repaired by having a small patch of roofing felt torched on. Alternately, one of the professional liquid systems available at rawlinspaints.com can repair leaks on asphalt roofs.

Concrete Flat Roof Repair

Common damage issues include cracks in or surface wear to the concrete roofing. Surface wear can hide cracks, so be sure to clear away any loose debris.

Temporary or Emergency Flat Roof Fix

Application of a thin bitumen primer, followed by a bitumen based paint can help waterproof and seal any cracks in the concrete.

Permanent Fix

Larger and more ‘obvious’ cracks on a concrete flat roof can have a small patch of torch-on roofing felt added as a layer on top – this requires a smooth surface for the top layer to fully seal and waterproof the leaking area.

EPDM – Rubber Roof Repair

Common damage on rubber roofs can come from falling debris, such as roof tiles or slates, causing tears, deep cuts or holes.

Temporary Fix

Application of lap sealant can fix small tears and holes. It is advised to not use excessive quantities in case further work needs to be done for a permanent fix.

Permanent Fix

A small patch can act as a permanent EPDM roof repair for leaks and cracks. Apply an EPDM primer and when touch-dry, add self-adhesive rubber tape 3” around malleable flashing covering the hole. The patch should be adhered from the centre (over the hole) outwards with a firm, hard roller. Additionally, lap sealant which can be used as a temporary fix, can be applied around the edges as an extra waterproofing precaution.

Felt Flat Roof Repair

Old pour and roll felt roofing can crack, get puncture holes (usually from impact), or the felt could split. Edging can also lift, or old flashings against the wall could leak. The surface may also suffer from dips or hollows.

Temporary Fix

As with most temporary flat roof repair work, a paint on solution can fix leaks. A number of these products are available at Rawlins Paints.

Permanent Fix

If the old layer of felt roofing is in good enough condition, then a liquid system repair can be applied. For older felt roofing, a patch of torched on roofing with add an additional layer and fix the damage. Please ensure that the user of a torch flame to conduct repair work on felt roofing is insured to work with naked flames, and always have a readily available and easily accessible fire extinguisher to hand.

Fibreglass Flat Roof Repair

One of the main sources of damage on fibreglass flat roofs can be GRP flashings near abutting walls that leak, or cracks/splits near board joints, trims and/or upstands. Cracks can also occur from expansion and contraction, caused by seasonal extremities.

Temporary Fix

Once the area is cleaned with warm soapy water, acrylic sealant can be applied around and over the small crack or hole, reinforced by plasterers’ scrim. This temporary measure can easily be scraped off for a permanent fix.

Permanent Fix

Using acetone and grit paper, thoroughly clean and sand down the area over and around the damage. Next, a chopped strand mat (600g) needs laminating into place on top of and under a resin coating, with all bubbles removed. Finally, after curing, a topcoat (colour matching the original fibreglass roof) needs to be applied.

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Rust-Oleum Fillcoat Fibres Repair Kit – Elastic Multi-Surface Waterproofing

Transform your outdoor structures with this premium waterproofing solution, featuring an instantly waterproof elastic paint enhanced with crack-bridging fibers. Designed for various applications including roofs, non-walkable terraces, gutters, ridge-pieces, chimney stacks, and pipes, this versatile solution ensures long-lasting protection. The bitumen-free formula provides superior UV resistance and hydrophobic properties, making it perfect for withstanding the elements.

• Elastic Paint with Crack-Bridging Fibers: Adapts to surface movements and prevents cracks, ensuring a durable and flexible finish.
• Bitumen-Free Formula: Offers enhanced UV resistance and hydrophobic properties, protecting surfaces from sun damage and water penetration.
• Versatile Application: Suitable for roofs, terraces, gutters, and more, providing comprehensive waterproofing for various structures.
• Excellent Adhesion: Sticks to a wide range of substrates, ensuring reliable performance across different materials.
• All-Weather Reliability: Performs effectively in all weather conditions, offering peace of mind in any climate.

Additional help and resource

For further assistance, please contact Rawlins Paints’ customer service team here.