Flat roof repair in Exeter
Professional flat roof repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-£310
Typical Duration
2-6 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Flat roof leaks fixed and drainage problems sorted. Patch repairs for good roofs, honest advice when replacement makes more sense.
Flat Roofs Need Proper Attention
Here's the thing about flat roofs - they're not actually flat. They need a slight fall to drain properly. When drainage fails, water pools, and pooling water finds every tiny weakness in the covering. What starts as a small leak becomes a ceiling full of water.
💡 Pro tip: Most flat roof leaks come from failed joints, not the main roof surface. Edges, outlets, and upstands are where problems start - that's where I look first.
Repair or Replace? The Honest Assessment
Not every leaking flat roof needs complete replacement.
| ✅ Worth Repairing | ❌ Needs Replacing |
|---|---|
| Recent roof, isolated damage | Old covering, multiple failures |
| Clear leak source, rest is sound | Water getting in everywhere |
| Drainage works, minor pooling | Severe ponding, structural sag |
| Cost-effective fix adds years | Throwing money at dying roof |
What You Get
🔧 Flat Roof Repair Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Inspect | Find leak sources, check drainage, assess covering |
| Advise | Honest opinion on repair viability |
| Fix | Repair leaks, clear outlets, improve drainage if possible |
| Test | Check it's watertight, advise on maintenance |
📦 You're Left With
- Stopped leaks
- Improved drainage (where fixable)
- Honest timeline for when replacement will be needed
- No more water coming in
Pricing Guide
| Repair Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small leak repair or outlet clearance | 2 hrs | £110 |
| Larger repair or multiple leak points | 3-4 hrs | £160-£210 |
| Extensive repair or drainage improvement | 5-6 hrs | £260-£310 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Basic materials included, larger repairs quoted separately.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Water coming in - ceiling stains, drips during rain
✅ Pooling water - ponds forming after rain
✅ After storm damage - wind lifted covering
✅ Extension or garage roof - needs fixing before it gets worse
Why Choose Us for Flat roof repair in Exeter?
Stops leaks at source
Fixes drainage and pooling problems
Extends flat roof lifespan
Honest advice on repair vs replacement
What to Expect
Step 1: Proper Inspection
I get up on the roof and actually look. Find where water's getting in, check the drainage, assess the overall condition. Sometimes the leak point isn't where you'd expect.
Step 2: Honest Assessment
I'll tell you if repair makes sense or if you're just postponing the inevitable. If the roof's done, replacing is more cost-effective than endless patches.
Step 3: Fix What Needs Fixing
Repair the leaks properly - not just slap some sealant on and hope. Clear blocked outlets. Improve drainage if possible within the existing structure.
🔧 DIY Tips
Flat roof work needs care - easy to make things worse if you don't know what you're doing:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Safe access to roof
- Covering material (felt patch, GRP resin, EPDM patch - depends on roof type)
- Roof adhesive or appropriate bonding material
- Utility knife and straight edge
- Cleaning materials (wire brush, detergent)
- Protective gloves
🔍 Finding leaks
- Water rarely comes in where you see it dripping inside
- Check all edges, joints, and upstands first
- Look for cracks, blisters, or separating seams
- Blocked outlets cause water to back up and find any weakness
- Ponding water always finds a way through eventually
🔨 Basic repairs
- Identify roof type (felt, fibreglass, rubber)
- Clean area thoroughly around damage
- Must be completely dry before repairs
- Cut away any blistered or damaged material
- Apply appropriate patch/repair (specific to roof type)
- Seal edges thoroughly
- Don't walk on repair for 24-48 hours
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Wrong repair material for roof type
- Attempting repair in damp conditions (won't bond)
- Not preparing surface properly
- Patch too small or poorly sealed
- Missing the actual leak source
- Sealing drainage outlets (causes worse problems)
💡 Pro trick: For felt roofs, most "emergency" sealants are temporary at best. Proper felt patches with cold adhesive work far better. For fibreglass roofs, you need GRP repair kits - nothing else bonds properly. Know your roof type before buying materials.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🏠 Pooling water after every rain? That's not just a leak problem, it's a drainage or structural problem. The roof needs proper fall to shed water. Sometimes that means rebuilding the roof deck - I'll advise honestly on options and costs.
Which flat roof type is best? For replacement, fibreglass (GRP) is excellent but expensive. EPDM rubber is good and more affordable. Traditional felt is cheapest but needs maintenance every 5-10 years. I'll explain pros and cons for your situation.
Walked-on flat roofs? If you walk on your flat roof regularly (to access something, for example), it needs protection from foot traffic. Some coverings handle it better than others. I'll advise if that's contributing to damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do flat roofs leak more than pitched roofs?
Because water sits on them instead of running off immediately. Any small fault - split, crack, failed joint - lets water straight through. Plus they're walked on for maintenance, which gradually damages the surface.
Can you fix pooling water on a flat roof?
Depends on the cause. If it's just a blocked outlet, yes - quick fix. If the roof's sagging or was built without proper fall, that's a structural issue that needs more work. I'll assess honestly what's fixable and what isn't.
What's the difference between felt, fibreglass, and rubber flat roofs?
Three different systems. Felt is traditional and cheapest, but needs regular maintenance. Fibreglass (GRP) is very durable and seamless. Rubber (EPDM) is newer, good lifespan. Each repairs differently - I'll work with whatever you've got.
How long will a flat roof repair last?
Good repair on a sound roof can add years of life. But if the whole roof covering is old and degraded, repairs are just buying time until full replacement is needed. I'll tell you honestly what to expect.
Do you repair commercial flat roofs too?
Yes - extensions, garages, commercial buildings, whatever needs doing. Same principles apply whether it's domestic or commercial work.
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