Flat roof is leaking – Find the cause and get it fixed to limit damage
If you’re flat roof is leaking and you’re not sure why, we’ve covered off the reasons it could be. Best of all, we have solutions and instructions on how to prevent more damage or repair it completely.
This guide will help you to find the cause of the leak, limit any further damage and get it fixed.
Why your flat roof leaks in heavy rain
When heavy rain falls, you might notice damp, dark brown patches on the ceiling. Or, you may even see your flat roof sagging and dripping. Here are some reasons why your flat roof might be leaking.
Natural damage
Your flat roof may have been damaged, for instance by high winds or a falling tree.
Age
Traditional flat roofs made from mineral felt have a maximum lifespan of around 10 to 15 years. However, more modern flat rubber roof could last over 50.
Pooling water
A flat roof shouldn’t technically be totally flat. Instead, it should have a pitch of at least 1:40. However, you may still get water pooling in areas of your flat roof.
When water pools, it can seep into the roof space below and lead to leaks.
Damaged flashing
Flashing exists to cover and seal angles, seams and joints that could otherwise let in water. Over time, lead flashing can get damaged, which can lead to leaks.
Weak seams or overlaps
In areas where different pieces of flat roofing material come together, leaks can be common. This is especially the case if the overlap or seam hasn’t been sealed correctly.
Poor detailing
Detailing around raised sections like roofing vents and pipes can be a common area for leaks to start. Again, this is often because it hasn’t been correctly sealed.
Blistering
If your flat roof has a blistered appearance, this can either be because rainwater has found its way into your roof, or because of condensation coming from below. Either way, when blisters burst, they can cause major roof leaks.
Delamination
Delamination is when layers of flat roofing membrane separate from one another. It’s usually caused by poor installation.
Delamination can cause lots of different problems such as cracks, splits and blistering. Eventually, this can lead to leaks.
Thermal movement
Older roofing systems that were designed before expansion joints became widely used – or that used oxidised bitumen as an adhesive – might struggle to expand or contract with temperature changes. This can lead to cracks, splits and blistering.
Poor installation
Flat roofs are vulnerable to leaks because of their almost non-existent pitch and various weak points. So, it’s important they’re installed to a high standard to ensure that they perform correctly.
Structural issues
There might be an issue with your flat roof’s structure or design that’s leading to leaks. For example, there could be too much of a distance between rafters, the roof deck could be overspanned or there might not be enough of a pitch to prevent water from pooling.
Flat roof leak detection
If your flat roof is leaking, the first thing that you’ll need to do is find the source of the leak. Unfortunately, this can be a little tricky!
On a flat roof, water can travel in any direction between the layers in your roof space before it makes its way through your ceiling. That means the source of your roof leak won’t necessarily be directly above the damp or dripping patch on your ceiling, as it would be if you had a pitched roof.
A professional roofer will be able to help you get to the cause of the leak, but you can also get up and inspect the roof yourself if you’re keen to try a little DIY.
Here’s how to detect the source of your leak:
- Wait until it’s been dry for at least 72 hours.
- Head up to your roof in the evening when the temperature is dropping. Be safe doing this! If, for whatever reason, you don’t feel confident or comfortable doing this, call a professional roofer.
- Keep an eye out for areas with steam drifting upwards – this could be the source of your leak, as heat is released from underneath.
- Look out for spots surrounded by a ring of dirt – this suggests that there was previously pooling water there.
- Use a hosepipe to gently spray the area you suspect is responsible for the leak.
- Head back into your house to see if the leak happens again – you might have to wait a bit for the water to make its way through the many layers of your roofing system.
- If no water finds its way down, head back up to your roof and try a different spot.
While you’re up on the roof, it’s also worth checking the whole thing over to make sure there’s no other damage that could cause more roof leaks in the future.
How to fix a leaking flat roof
How to fix your leaking flat roof will depend on a few factors, including:
- The cause of the leak
- The material of your roof
- Whether you need a short-term or long-term fix
- The condition of your roof
In particular, if your flat roofing membrane is full of patches, it might be time to replace it. However, there are some fixes you can try first.
Flat roof sealant for leaks
The quickest and easiest way to fix a leaking flat roof is often to seal over the area using waterproofing paint. This isn’t a long-term solution, but it might just protect your belongings from dripping water long enough to sort out a longer-term fix.
Simply clean the area so you don’t seal in dirt and debris, and then apply your waterproofing. It’s best to wait until conditions are dry, although you can apply acrylic-based waterproofing in wet weather if necessary. The other advantage of acrylic-based waterproofing is that it won’t crack like the bitumen-based stuff.
Just make sure not to use waterproofing paint if there are many sources that are leaking across a large area. This won’t be very efficient and could also risk making things more difficult later on.
Felt roof leaking
Felt roofs are some of the most common flat roofs in the UK. Roofing felt is cheap and easy to install, although it’s also highly susceptible to leaks. Often, this will be due to split felt, lifting joints, broken flashings, or cracks in the roof’s surface – depending on the type of felt roof you have.
Acrylic-based waterproofing paint is very effective at treating split felt, punctures and small gaps in joints, so it can be a good short-term solution. Or, if your flashing is coming away, it’s best to repoint or redress the old flashings to make sure the seal is waterproof.
For longer-term fixes, the simplest solution is often to just replace the felt roof, as opposed to continually repairing it. This is because felt roofing won’t often last beyond 10 to 15 years, and it’s cheap to install.
Alternatively, to avoid replacing the roof, you could use a patch of torch-on roofing felt, or add a full additional layer over your felt roof. If you need to use hot flames to deal with your felt roof leaking, be sure to leave this to a professional roofer. It could be dangerous without the right experience and tools under your belt.
Fibreglass (GRP) flat roof leaking
If you have a fibreglass flat roof, you might be dealing with leaks caused by broken flashings or cracks and splits near joints and raised areas. However, one of the most common causes of leaks in fibreglass roofs is pooling water.
Luckily, fibreglass flat roofs are relatively easy to repair, as long as you use products that are designed especially for fibreglass roofing.
For a short-term fix, you can just apply a small amount of acrylic sealant with a paintbrush to the affected area. However, for a more long-term fix, you’ll want to clean the area with acetone, sand it and laminate a chopped strand mat over the hole using resin. Then, once it’s cured, apply a topcoat that matches the rest of your roof.
Rubber flat roof leaking
Rubber flat roofs are easy to install and equally easy to repair!
A few common issues that might cause your rubber flat roof to leak include tears, holes and shrinkage if the material wasn’t correctly applied. However, because rubber flat roofs are applied as a ‘single sheet,’ they’re far less susceptible to roof leaks than felt roofing. After all, there aren’t any seams or joins for water to get in through.
You can use lap sealant as a quick fix when it comes to small rubber roof leaks. But the most common longer-term fix is to do a ‘patch repair’ where you use self-adhesive flashing and self-adhesive rubber tape to cover the hole. Then, you simply use an EPDM primer to stick the patch to your roof and seal the edges with lap sealant.
Concrete flat roof leaking
Concrete flat roofs aren’t very common nowadays, but you can still find them in homes and commercial properties in the UK. They’re very durable but can still experience leaks if cracks or splits in the concrete form.
To fix a leaking concrete flat roof, clean the surface and then apply a thin layer of bitumen primer, along with bitumen-based waterproofing paint. If this doesn’t do the job, you can instead get a professional to patch over the crack with a piece of torch-on felt.
When to get a professional to fix a leaking flat roof
Although you can certainly try some of the steps we outlined above to fix your leaking flat roof, it’s generally quicker, easier and safer to get professional help with your roof repair.
Not only can it be dangerous working at height without the proper training, but employing an expert is the best way to ensure your leak is properly diagnosed and fixed to a high standard. That way, you can rest safe in the knowledge that the problem won’t get worse and lead to more costly repairs in the long run.
To find a reliable roofer to fix your leaking roof, simply request a quote. We’ll then send details of your job to some of the best roofers in your area, who’ll contact you directly.
Alternatively, just search your postcode below to view a selection of approved, reviewed and trusted roofers near you.
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