Fast, Effective Flat Roof Leak Repairs

Fast, Effective Flat Roof Leak Repairs

Flat roof leak repairs are not something any homeowner wants to deal with at this time of year. If you’re facing issues with your flat roof, we’re here to help you make it as fast and as straightforward as possible.

In this article, we’ll explore a few simple approaches to handling minor leak repairs in your flat roof. Acting fast is key, though as it doesn’t take long for water to cause damage, both to roof timbers and interior décor. If it is a serious, obvious leak, it may be best to call in a professional, especially if you suspect the area is unsafe.

Assess and carry out leak repairs fast

If you’re noticing the classic signs of a leak in your flat roof – a drip, damp patch, mould or a noticeable rise in condensation – there is a chance you can catch it and repair it in time, but you’ll have to act quickly. Even a tiny hole in a membrane or a crack in felt covering can let in a lot of water over time, as it typically seeps and soaks into the roof deck beneath. 

Small leak repairs in the waterproofing can be relatively straightforward to carry out, but you’ll need to locate the source and assess what you’re dealing with first. If you can safely access the flat roof deck, do so. The bonus with a flat roof is that water doesn’t typically track too far, so you should be able to pinpoint the problem pretty quickly. 

Different types of flat roof leak repairs

When you’ve found the source of the issue, check the deck beneath, but be careful not to remove too much material or cause further damage. A small repair can often be dealt with quickly in one of the following ways:

  • Spot repairs – rubber membrane can be sealed in a similar way to a bicycle puncture with a spot repair. You may be able to use an offcut of membrane, primer and sealant or purchase a spot repair kit. View all our roof repair products here.
  • Patch repairspatch repairs to EPDM are often carried out using a piece of flashing or seam tape, especially for a tear or lifted seam. We provide full guidance in our step-by-step tutorials in the Knowledge Base here or our corporate resource library here.
  • Liquid leak repair paint – our liquid flat roof leak repair solution works on almost any substrate and can be extremely fast and effective in sealing holes, cracks or tears. Fast acting, it becomes showerproof in seconds and requires no special tools, applied with a paintbrush. 

Repair or replace your flat roof?

For some homeowners, deciding whether to repair the flat roof leak or replace the covering altogether can be a delicate balance. While a more significant outlay, if you’ve repeatedly repaired the covering, it might be time to bite the bullet and replace it with a better performing solution.

Both EPDM membrane and liquid PU systems typically have a much longer lifespan than traditional coverings, such as felt or bituminous systems. RubberCover EPDM, for instance, has an expected service life of more than 50 years and is installed in a single sheet to minimise vulnerabilities across the installation. It is also highly resistant to leaks, being difficult to damage and remaining stable in a wide range of temperatures, unlike felt, which is historically poor performing in hot weather. 

When assessing your leak and repeated repair, take this into consideration, as a better performing, longer lasting alternative could prove to be a more cost and time-effective approach in the long run. 

Can we help?

At PermaRoof Store, we stock a wide range of products to help with your flat roof leak repairs and with same day order turnaround and efficient delivery, we can get them to you fast. We also stock complete liquid and EPDM flat roof kits if a replacement or upgrade is what you’re looking for. Give the team a call today if you need any order assistance or advice, we’re here to help.