Flat roofing and roofers · Loughton
Roofers in Loughton.
Loughton runs along the edge of Epping Forest, from the hillside roads above the High Road down to the Debden estate. Add years of kitchen extensions, garages and dormers, and flat roofing is a big part of what its homes need. We lay new felt flat roofs and repair existing ones, and we look after pitched roofs right across the town as well.
- Torch-onlayered felt systems
- Felt onlythe flat roof system we lay
- Freequotes for flat and pitched roofs
Flat roofing in Loughton: garages, extensions and dormers
Every flat roof depends on the same things: a sound deck, enough fall and a waterproof finish at each edge. We strip the old covering, replace decking where it has softened and lay a multi-layer torch-on felt system with new trims, drips and upstands. A roof can look fine on top while the boards beneath are spongy, so the deck is where we start.
- Single garages through to large kitchen extensions
- Insulation can be added while the roof is stripped
- Upstands sealed where the roof meets the house wall
- Rooflights and vents detailed into the new felt
Repair the felt, or start again?
A split or lifted joint on an otherwise sound roof is usually worth repairing. Once blisters cover much of the surface, or the same area has been patched again and again, new felt is the better spend. We walk the roof, press for soft areas and tell you which camp yours falls into, because the honest answer isn’t always the larger job.
- Local splits and blisters can usually be repaired
- Failed joints and upstands can be resealed
- Soft spots mean the boards below have been wet
- A roof holding deep ponds may need its falls rebuilding
Forest edge, hills and post-war Debden
Falling oak and beech leaves collect in outlets and against upstands, so roofs close to the Forest need their drainage looking at. Higher up, the Victorian and Edwardian roads have slate and clay roofs, and York Hill, Baldwins Hill and Staples Road are conservation areas. Debden was built after the war by the London County Council, and many of its homes have since gained extensions and porches with roofs of their own.
- Leaf-blocked outlets leave water standing on the felt
- Hillside houses can have awkward access at the back
- Period pitched roofs may need slates and tiles matched
- Debden porches and garages are common small flat roof jobs
How the job works
- 1Test the deckWe walk the flat roof where it’s safe, feeling for soft boards and checking where the water wants to go.
- 2Check the edgesTrims, upstands, outlets and any rooflight are examined, since these are where most flat roofs let water in.
- 3Recommend repair or renewalWe explain the choice with photos and put the price for the work in writing.
- 4Lay it layer by layerFor a new roof, each felt layer goes down in turn over a sound deck, and you get photos of the finished surface.
Why choose us in Loughton
- A straight answer on whether your flat roof needs repair or new felt
- Written prices for Loughton and Debden homes, with nothing to pay for the quote
- Before and after photos, as a flat roof is hard to see from below
Common questions
My flat roof sits under oak trees. Will the leaves damage it?
Leaves don’t hurt the felt themselves, but they can block outlets and hold water against the surface and upstands. Fallen branches are a greater risk. Having the roof built with good falls and outlets that are easy to reach makes life much simpler.
Can the fall on my flat roof be improved when it is replaced?
Usually, yes. With the old covering off, tapered timbers can be fixed over the joists to give water a better route to the edge or outlet. It’s one of the main advantages of stripping a roof instead of covering it again.
Can a rooflight stay when my flat roof is re-felted?
If it is in good condition and sitting on a sound upstand, normally it can. The felt has to be taken up and sealed around it properly, as this is a common leak point. If the rooflight has failed, tell us and we can discuss how to deal with it before work starts.
Do Loughton’s conservation areas affect a flat roof at the back of the house?
Like-for-like repairs at the rear usually raise fewer questions than visible changes at the front, but it’s worth checking with Epping Forest District Council if your home is in a conservation area or listed.
Ready for a free, no-obligation quote?
Speak to our team today. London, Essex, Kent, Sussex and the Cotswolds.