Flat roofing
Professional Flat Roofing Services in Weston-super-Mare
Flat roofs on extensions, garages and dormers need different care from a pitched roof. Jon O’Brien repairs and maintains flat roofs across Weston-super-Mare and North Somerset — and tells you straight when one has reached the end of its life.
- Flat roof repairs
- Leaks, splits and ponding
- Honest repair-or-replace advice
Flat roofs
Flat roof repairs and maintenance
Most houses have a flat roof somewhere — and when one leaks, it usually leaks into a kitchen, a bedroom or a garage full of belongings.
Jon works on flat roofs across Weston-super-Mare and North Somerset. He’ll find where the water is getting in, explain whether the covering can be repaired, and put it right properly — including the edges, upstands and flashings where most flat roof leaks start.
Because he also does leadwork, the joints where a flat roof meets a wall or chimney don’t get left as an afterthought.
Jon carries out flat roof repairs in Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon, Portishead and across North Somerset.
Typical flat roofs Jon works on
- Kitchen and rear extensions
- Garages
- Dormers
- Porches and bay roofs
- Flat sections on main roofs
Repair or replace
Repairs, maintenance and replacement
The right answer depends on the condition of the whole roof, not just the wet patch.
Repairs and maintenance
For localised problems — a split, a blister, a failed edge trim, a leak around a rooflight or outlet, or flashing that has pulled away from the wall. Caught early, these are usually straightforward to put right.
- Splits, cracks and blisters
- Failed edges and upstands
- Leaks at rooflights and outlets
- Lead flashing where the roof meets a wall
When replacement is the better option
If the covering has failed across the roof, or the deck underneath has gone soft, patching won’t last. Jon will explain what he finds and talk you through the options for replacing the roof, so you can decide with the full picture.
- Covering failed in several places
- Soft or spongy deck underfoot
- Repeated leaks after repairs
Warning signs
Common signs a flat roof is deteriorating
Flat roofs tend to fail slowly, then all at once. These are the things to look out for.
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Standing water
Puddles that are still there a couple of days after rain — known as ponding.
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Cracks, splits and blisters
Surface damage that lets water work its way under the covering.
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Damp patches below
Stains or damp on the ceiling under the flat roof, especially after heavy rain.
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Soft or spongy areas
A deck that gives underfoot usually means water has got into the boards beneath.
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Lifting edges and trims
Edges that have come loose let wind and water get underneath the covering.
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Blocked outlets and gutters
Moss, leaves and debris stop water draining and keep the roof wet.
Materials
Flat roof materials, explained
Flat roofs are covered with a waterproof membrane or system rather than tiles. A quick guide to what you might find on your roof.
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Felt systems
Layers of bitumen-based felt bonded together. Older felt roofs are very common on extensions and garages, and are prone to cracking and blistering as they age.
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Single-ply rubber membranes
Large sheets of synthetic rubber, often EPDM, laid with as few joints as possible.
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Glass-reinforced polyester (GRP)
Often called fibreglass: resin and glass matting laid in place and cured into a hard, seamless surface.
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Choosing the right one
Each has its strengths. The right choice depends on the roof’s size, shape, use and your budget — Jon will tell you what’s on your roof now and what he would recommend.
Doing it properly
Why falls, drainage and detailing matter
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01
Flat roofs aren’t actually flat
A properly built flat roof has a gentle fall so water runs off to a gutter or outlet. Where the falls are wrong, water sits and the covering wears out early.
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02
Drainage that keeps working
Outlets, gutters and downpipes need to be clear and sized for the roof, or water backs up onto the covering and against walls.
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03
Edges, upstands and flashings
Most flat roof leaks start where the roof stops — at edges, walls, rooflights and pipes. Getting these details right is what makes a flat roof last.
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04
A sound deck underneath
The covering is only as good as the boards it’s laid on. Soft or rotten decking needs dealing with, not covering over.
From a recent job
Flat roof meets chimney leadwork
These photos are from a genuine J O B Done Roofing job, showing lead flashing where a chimney meets a flat roof — exactly the kind of junction where flat roof leaks often begin.
Smaller roofs get the same care — as one customer put it:
“Sorted with my house and porch roof. Great job and a good price.”
Can you repair a leaking flat roof?
Usually, if the problem is localised — a split, a failed edge or a leak around a rooflight or outlet. Where the covering has failed across the whole roof, replacement is often the better long-term answer.
Is standing water on a flat roof a problem?
Small puddles that dry within a day or two are common. Water that sits for longer speeds up wear on the covering and usually points to a problem with the falls or drainage.
How long does a flat roof last?
It depends on the material, how well it was installed and how it has been looked after. Poor drainage and failed edges shorten a flat roof’s life considerably. If yours is showing its age, Jon can tell you whether a repair is still worthwhile.
Which flat roof material is best?
There’s no single answer — it depends on the size, shape and use of the roof, and your budget. Jon will explain the options for your roof when he quotes.
Do you work on garage, porch and extension roofs?
Yes. Extensions, garages, dormers and porches are the most common flat roofs on houses, and Jon works on them across Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon, Portishead and the rest of North Somerset.
Contact
Get a flat roof quote
Tell Jon where the flat roof is, what you’ve noticed and add a few photos if you can. He’ll get back to you to arrange a look.
- Prefer to talk? Call Jon 07429 335555
- Email jon.obrien66@gmail.com
- WhatsApp Message Jon on WhatsApp
- Based in Weston-super-Mare
Thanks — your request is with Jon.
He’ll be in touch soon. If it’s urgent, call him on 07429 335555.