Have had a flat roofer turn up to do a repair and refelt a roof, the long and short is even though he has quoted to replace some boards if needed, i know a couple were soaking wet as can see from inside my flat where ceiling fell in, he never even tried, just nailed new boards on top and refelted those, then on the concrete sides, he has not removed old felt just gone straight over the top, so instead of looking nice and flat is bubbly from old felt, even though he says yeah a ten year guarantee, surely to get a decent grip he needed to remove old felt, he asked for payment i couldnt see from his pics, but got on the roof and can see quite a few problems, can i get an expert opinion before paying him, as im sure if i pay its one of those people that will never be in contact again, even though he has a nice flashy website !!
His quote said to remove all old felt as well, i can find a complaint on rated people about his flat roofing (always the case) as didnt see it before, the pictures he has supplied me look all okay as all from a distance, but my pictures are a completely different looking, felt not stuck down on edges etc finish
Okay update had another roofer in (yeah once burned) he has said because he hasnt actually taken up old boards which are soaking and not removed the old felt basically laid new boards on top and felted over, all he has done has created a sponge, roof still leaking and although he quoted to allow water to drain down gutters, it doesnt at all, have cancelled the cheque, so will get threatening phones call again next week, as he been hassling for money to go staright into his personal account, but he has a big company van, so surely cheque in his name gives me no ten year guarantee, as although receipt is in company name, am of to see a solicitor i guess ahhhhhhh headache
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
If re:felting over existing felt then the total area in question should be primed first to allow the new felt to adhere to the old as this is the only way to be sure the two felts bond together.
Hope this helps Keith
Answered5 February 2015
8
Anonymous user
Any old felt roof needs to be completely taken up and re boarded. Boarding over the top of an old roof is cutting corners and you would of more then likely been charged the same to do this work.
we take everything up and start from fresh hope this helps.
Answered19 March 2019
5
Anonymous user
Yes sounds to me like the job hasn't been carried out properly
You can overboard existing felt with new boards that is fine and in certain circumstances you can re felt on top of existing felt, however there should certainly not be any bubbles and if over boarding/over felting was the case it should have been clearly explained to you so your under no illusions about exactly what your paying for
When felting over any old felt you can use a bitten primer to get a proper fix, some felts are also a 3 layer system allowing them to go over old felt, however if he has quoted for old felt to be removed then that is what he should have done.
would definitely get a second opinion,as this sounds like a leak waiting to happen.
Answered3 February 2015
1
Anonymous user
I agree with all of the above and if your quote States "to remove existing felt" then I would dig my heels in and insist this is done. even when over boarding and adding additional layers on top of old felt the edges or drips as we call them should be renewed as poorly done drip edges make an untidy job.
Hope all gets sorted and good luck!
By the sounds of it you seem to have a been taken for a ride, if his quote states removal of felt then that’s what should have been done, we very rarely would go over and existing flat roof. If he knew the boards were gone before then these should have been changed! By him just going over the top was a quick escape and now your left to pick up the bill again by having to get the roof done correctly how it should of been done the first time, while re-boarding he should have checked the falls and if insufficient, Then he should have used firrings to re instate a correct fall towards gutter/outlets. Moving forward i suggest you find an actual roofing contractor to carry out works rather than a chancer after a quick buck. Hope you get this issue resolved.
The work should be carried out to the specification in the quote! if it says remove all the existing felt, then it should be removed. Sounds like you haven't had a good job done at all.
It shouldn't happen but this type of intimidation does. You shouldn't be in this position but go and see a solicitor. Hopefully he'll back down and you can get your roof done properly
Answered5 February 2015
0
Anonymous user
Anything to do with flat roofs has to be striped propley especially If you can see damp from inside of boards they shouldn't have been left in anyway only if the boards are solid 18mm plywood if it was chipboard that's a definite no no you can go over old felt but only if it's fully bonded to the board underneath and if doing this all edges have to be removed flat part primed and left for 24 hours And to ensure a tight seal and a good strong bong done propley a felt roof will last easily 15 20 years iv been back to my grandads work 28years later and still no leaks and still looks as good as day it was put down these cowboy flat roofers give people like us a bad name do it right in first place or don't do it at all
What ever specification is on the quote then the work should be carried out to it you can prime existing felt and felt over it but if the boards are soaking then you should maybe get someone to come have a look especially if it’s chip board which would affect the structure of the roof it sounds to me like job not been Done properly and corners have been cut
Answered3 November 2018
0
Anonymous user
Hi Keith it’s seems to me he has cut corners when doing a felt flat roof you need to remove the old boards Supply and fit new 18mm OSB boards then supply and fit your new 3 layer felt System in my opinion before paying out any money I would get a second opinion on the work from a professional local roofer and take it from there I hope this help.
Overlaying felt on an existing flat roof is fine, providing the boards are in a good condition and the roof area is primed.
If the roof boards are showing signs of wear (moisture etc), the flat roof can’t be over laid.
Good luck,
M Davies @tdsroofing
Going straight over the existing flat roof is fine if the old flat roof is sagging and showing signs or rot or moisture damage then no you should strip the whole roof back to the decking boards (Osb board) and re deck the flat roof then apply a 3 layer torch on felt system with a guarantee. If the contractor has quoted to replace the existing and he hasn’t then yes he’s in the wrong.
