Many properties along the length and breadth of the UK have sections where their roofs are flat. It is no coincidence that many insurers ask if a property has a flat roof because as the owners of such homes will be aware, flat roofs can cause many headaches. There are a lot of reasons why a roof can go bad with the worst being a leak. When this happens it will need repairing as soon as possible.
A flat roof will often have a rubber roofing material called EPDM. It does have a warranty of up to 40 years and is relatively cheap to buy and easy to install. However, it is not unheard of for the roof to leak during the lifetime of the EPDM. This leak can be fixed with a couple of hand tools and some basic roofing materials. If the roof is leaking, take immediate action to prevent further damage and a claim on the household insurance policy. Inspect the roof, checking for any areas that could be causing the leak. Leaks are usually caused by seams that have been poorly bonded but could have been caused by debris that has blown onto the roof and pierced it.
When the area that needs repairing has been found it will need washing with a cloth and some warm water. Wait until the roof is dry and clean the area again, this time using alcohol to make sure that the patch will adhere properly. Any seam tape which has been poorly bonded to the roof will need removing. When removing the badly stuck tape remove enough to ensure the seam is exposed for at least 12 inches each side of the leak. Use alcohol again to remove any adhesive residue that is apparent after removing the tape.
Apply roofing sealant to the damaged area of the roof using a knife with rounded edges. When repairing a puncture, the sealant will need spreading until it reaches 6 inches beyond the damaged area of the roof. If it is the seam which is being repaired, sealant will need placing underneath the roof membrane as well as along the area of the roof that will be covered with new tape. Cut a piece of rubber roof seam tape which will cover the sealant patch. Press it into the sealant using your fingers before finally using a silicone hand roller to smooth out the creases and also roll over the patch in every direction to remove any air bubbles.
Tags: builders, DIY, Home Insurance, property repairs