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Roofing

Job left half done, rain poured in. Any ideas on what to do next would be great

Anonymous user 23/02/2024 - 3.25 PM

On Friday a man came to re cover our small area of flat roof on the back porch. He was sure he could finish it in a day but only got the joinery work done. We covered it with tarps but the rain poured in yesterday for several hours before we were able to get a better cover on. The decking board and all the wood beneath it will be saturated. Water has soaked through the tops of the walls inside. The next dry day is tomorrow and after that there'll be more rain. My partner thinks we should go ahead and get the modified bitumen on tomorrow. I know nothing about this, but I'm not sure if that's the best plan 1) I don't know if the bitumen would seal properly to wet wood. 2) I think we'd be sealing a whole lot of water in. My partner thinks it will dry out over time and using a dehumidifier in the porch will help. Is it possible for the wood to dry properly once the bitumen is over it? 3)Are there any ways to speed up drying it out. 4) Do we need to wait for a long dry spell and take the decking board and insulation off to let the rest of the wood dry out? Any ideas welcome. Thanks. P.s. Thanks for all the answers.

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6 Answers

LJB Lee Botting Ltd

Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Eastbourne
It’s call that needs to be made on the day. It might well be dry enough to felt over. Also depends on the system that is being used. Only the top sides of the boards need to be dry. OSB has a protective coating and will be fine. A torch on system will dry the surface. The underside will need to dry out before covered. This is in my opinion
Answered28 July 2019
1

Ronald J Gaunt Roofing

Rating: 5 out of 5
Stoke On Trent
Hello, First of all, the timbers will dry out no problem and I would use a torch on felt system, while this system is being applied the torch will automatically dry the roof deck as you go, as long as it’s not raining this can be done quite quickly, hope this helps
Answered28 July 2019
1

Anonymous user

Hello. Bitumen won't stick to wet surfaces , its oil based and oil sperates from water. The roofer realy should have made things water proof before he left. I would recomens puting new boards down. Insulation and beams will dry out. Then lay the roof or go for GRP flat roof, then definitely put a dehumidifier in Hope this helps.
Answered28 July 2019
0

Anonymous user

Hello. Really sorry to hear about your experience. One - the bitumen will not seal to wet wood. Two - sadly, the moisture trapped in the boards will express itself as damp in your ceiling. They need to be removed and replaced as they may also warp and delaminate as they dry. Three and four - as above, I appreciate that it’s a painful thought, but everything that can be removed should be taken out and be replaced with new. A period of drying out is most definitely recommended. Regards, Alun
Answered28 July 2019
0

Alder Roofing And Guttering Services Ltd

Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Ringwood
Do not put new materials on damp or wet wood as will not adhere properly and will in time cause mould and mildew to grow and warping of the wood you will also notice a damp smell within s short time
Answered28 July 2019
0

R8 Roofing Ltd

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Budleigh Salterton
If you seal over wet wood, moisture that is trapped inside will turn into mildew!
Answered28 July 2019
0