Flat Roof Leaky

[annieigma]

Hi,
Just been to wickes, they do a tub of stuff to brush over your flat roof with a broom, two coats and its all done. 50 quid plus two brooms to be dumped. The roof has shingles at the moment, all in good condition, but obviously not as good as it looks as there is a big bubble in the plaster with water dripping through. will this stuff work. the roof is 3mtrs x 3 mtrs plus a little alcovey bit, and a tub does 25 mtrs. needs two coats. what do you think?

[SirOracle]

Sounds amazing annieigma but I know next to nothing about roofs.


I would wait until our real expert "The Builder" can give his usual excellent advice.

[Khandro]

Shingles are tiles made of cedar wood, how can they be used on a flat roof?

[The Builder]

Haha... thanks for the "warm-up" Sir O :o)

I guess they're felt "shingles". Ordinary roofing felt in the shape of cedar shingles. Used a lot in the USA, but usually on pitched (sloping) roofs.
They were probably first bedded in hot pitch. That really does stick things down.

I imagine you have a 25litre tub of bitumen roof sealer. It will certainly seal the felt, but.......... only if everything is kosher to begin with. By that, I mean that the felt is not overly cracked and damaged.

More importantly, the roof should show no sign of "ponding". Puddles of standing water, however shallow. This would indicate that the board under the felt has weakened and is beyond repair.

If you're still leaking, then......... maybe .............. another coat would do it. I'm not confident about that from what you say. You may be wasting your money.

The trouble with felt shingles is that it only needs one to become unstuck, and the whole thing suffers. Is there water lying on the roof?

[annieigma]

Builder,
I was going to address this to you in the first instance, as I knew you would enlighten us, but, let every one else have a go at the @ shingles@ i never knew what they were called until we found a pack in wickes. Right, the roof slopes sideways rather than from back to front, no puddles, always dry, wickes say shingles will last 20 years, these been down eight, and look new. I have found a few cracks between the flat roof and the pitches, which may be the cause. I can seal these in with mastic/ silicone before applying the sealant.
does that sound worthwhile ( I am thinking 50 quid, worth a shot) ?
Any advice always appreciated.

[The Builder]

Yes, between the flat and the pitched roofs. Well worth a shot, Annie.
Good luck :o)))