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Torch on felt roofing
Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.33 PM
Hi All, I need some advice please. We've recently had a builder apply torch on felt roofing above our dining room extension. He charged us £2,300 for 2 flat roofs (each roof is approx 2.5 x 3m) with a parapet wall in between. 1. He didn't remove the old felt and put the plywood on top. (I'm not sure if this is normal practice.) 2. He only applied one layer of underfelt instead of two. I thought 3 layers of felt are required in accordance with building regulations? 3. There are lots of ripples and air pockets and water is pooling in several places. 4. The green felt has been scorched in a few places. 5. The felt hasn't been stuck down properly around the parapet wall. 6. The guttering is now leaking after he put up a new fascia. 7. The lead flashing hasn't been stuck down at the corners/edges but I don't know if that's normal or not. 8. The felt hasn't been stuck down to the fascia above the guttering. The builder won't tell me what underfelt & green felt he used so I don't know if the roof has been waterproofed. I'm worried that only 1 layer of underfelt was applied. Also, for the cost I expected a more professional and neater finish, considering he said he has 20 years experience doing roofing. I'm not sure what can be done about the above now as the builder is being argumentative and keeps stating that all torch on roofing is done this way and there are always ripples, air pockets and pooling in the felt. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks. Link to photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7jt224nhzy31zmw/AAAC67xsqvddv3PDUTzuMZzea?dl=0
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22 Answers
Rossendale valley roofing Ltd
Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Hi Sammy,
This sounds shocking firstly the old felt should of been removed and then the existing boards should of been inspected and replaced where needed.
Secondly three layers is the minimum I use when using felt, an underlay, a thicker middle layer and a minerial capping sheet. These are laid to go with the fall of the roof meaning the capping sheet would start at the gutter edge working up. There should be no bubbles or air pockets and if the boards are laiid correctly no pooling.
Answered18 October 2020
18
East Midlands flat roofing
Rating: 5 out of 5
Hi,
First of all, you should never lay boards on top of an existing roof. I cannot even imagine why he has done this. The old roof must be stripped off and new boards fixed down to the joists and then install the new felt on top. The air pockets will be caused by the air being trapped between the old roof and the new roof which wouldn’t of happened if the boards were laid correctly. Felt should be fully bonded in all areas with no air pockets or ripples. On a brand new roof there is no excuse for this. 2 layers of felt is fine if there’s no insulation being installed on top of the first layer but again these 2 layers need installing properly. He’s clearly done this for a quick turn around - minimum work, maximum profit. You need to get him back to do the job properly or get your money back ASAP. All the best
Answered25 November 2020
4
Anonymous user
First thing the price you paid the old roof should have been removed and if needed new boards and a min of two layers felt
Looking at the photos nothing on this roof is right and if he has 20 yes experience he should be turning out better quality work however if it was a builder rather than a roofer this is the quality off work you will get
If builder refuses to take this off and redo the whole lot you need to get trading standards involved are starts court case the amount you paid seems way expensive but that depends on where you live
That roof is not going to last and has nit been done to standard in fact everything is a mess and needs starting from scratch
Answered18 October 2020
1
Anonymous user
Sounds like an awful job! Existing felt should always be removed and replaced with new boards and at least a 2 layer felt mineral system. Whatever he planned to do he should have at least provided you with a written quote detailing all the work that he intended to carry out!
Answered30 December 2020
1
Anonymous user
Shame to see such poor workmanship. The old roof should have been stripped back completely to the original boards. If the boards are damaged they should be replaced. A minimum of three felt layers should have been applied for an effective solution to your problem and to keep the roof water tight for as long as possible. The air bubbles will be due to trapped air stuck between the two separate roofs. To sum this up in a shortened version it sounds like you’ve had cowboys in to do the work and you should report them immediately to stop them from scamming someone else. Any other advice needed let us know.
Answered21 May 2021
1
Anonymous user
Hi Sammy firstly as stated above is shocking workmanship firstly he can’t be a competent roofer if there is air pockets and bubbling me myself I use a three layer system of a 4.5 mm thickness underlay going in A different direction than the top mineral coated capping sheet this allowing for better protection if water was to seep in.
If you’ve paid that kind of money for two new roofs you should’ve got some kind of guarantee as I provide that a 10 year guarantee with a new flat roofs if this is the case you should try and execute the guarantee if not then I would consider trying to get legal action and going from there if you need any more advice do not hesitate to contact act roofing kind regards
Answered21 August 2021
1
Anonymous user
So disappointing that someone that calls himself a tradesman has left yourself with such a bad job that hasn’t even been started correctly by taking up all existing rotted timber and replacing it with new timber before anything I’m happy to get our company to come put job right at a discount price if the original company haven’t already done this.
Answered20 August 2025
1
Anonymous user
Definitely not correct practise I always strip full work back to bare shell then instate new osb3 insulation 3 layer system
Answered18 November 2023
0
Anonymous user
Definitely this is not the way a experienced roofer should do the job , the old ply and felt should’ve been replaced in appropriate condition, it is hard to find proper roofing company as this days is so many of them , wish you luck sorting out this problem
Answered9 October 2023
0
Anonymous user
sounds very shocking you should strip the old felt before adding new felt ,shouldn’t be no rippling neither
Answered22 June 2023
0
JcRegan Roofing
No reviews yet
You should always strip off old felt if renewing the flat roof. Inspect the current boarding when stripped and if water damaged it would need replacing as well. You would then install a “3B” layer which is just tacked down. Then an underlay which is torched on and stuck down using the bitumen inside the felt. Then a capping sheet using the same technique for a nice finish. There should be no ripples or air pockets and these could easily lead to tears and cracks shortly down the line. I would try get in contact as soon as possible to try and get it sorted or if that’s not working then either a refund or small claims court as you definitely have a case there.
Answered10 May 2023
0
Anonymous user
This is really bad work!! You should always strip of the old felt and boards as you would not be able to achieve a nice flare roof and if there is ponding you maybe of needed furying pieces on top of rafter if you need a friendly realise company to come and have a look please feel free to get in contact
Answered6 March 2023
0
Anonymous user
Hi sammy,
It is not correct practice to place boards on top of existing felt, 3 layer systems consist of a tacked bottom layer (3b), a torched on bitumen underlay, finished off with mineral capsheet. Green felt is a very low quality felt therefore combined with all the other issues would explain why it has bubbled and is leaking!
Answered18 January 2023
0
Anonymous user
Full roof should be stripped right back to the timbers of the roof insuring there is no damp in the wood and then you can apply new roof was timber is changed so no you cannot relay a roof on top of an existing roof it is pure laziness and not wanting to do the job properly
Answered1 May 2022
0
Mountain Roofing
Rating: 5 out of 5
This sounds like shocking work. As others have pointed out the roof should have been completely stripped, a 3 layer system is a must with torch on felt, preferable with a perforated layer first, then an underlay finished with mineral.
Answered7 February 2022
0
First Choice Roofing Ltd
Rating: 5 out of 5
Type up a list of your complaints, along with photo evidence, also any pre-work correspondence with the builder may help if it contains any details of works to be done (eg written quote, emails, text messages).
Approach the builder with your evidence, keeping emotion aside and ask if he can simply correct the defects. If after this you don’t get anywhere, contact a different roofing company or surveyor to inspect the defects and ask them to do you a report/quote to put right.
Contact the original builder again with the report/quote and if this is to no avail, involve trading standards and if absolutely necessary issue court proceedings (the evidence that you should have compiled at this point should be satisfactory, you can also claim back the costs for roofer/surveyor report).
I hope this helps
Kindest regards
Answered29 January 2022
0
Anonymous user
Hi Sammy,
This flat roof should definitely of had the felt ripped of back to the joists, reboarded with either ply or tongue and groove boards. And no less then 3 layers torch on felt. This process consists of a vapour control sheet, reinforced felt , and a cap sheet with mineral finish.
Answered17 January 2022
0
Anonymous user
Hi
The felt should have been a complete strip job and all new replaced. There should be no air pockets or bubbles in the felt. This is not good workmanship and does not seem competent at all. With my flat roofs it would be guaranteed for 10 years.
I hope you have this sorted
Answered13 January 2022
0
MITCHELL ROOFING
No reviews yet
Should of all been taken up to at least the ply deck, then minimum 2 layer felt system should of been laid. Definitely shouldn’t have bubbles or ripples.
Answered7 July 2021
0
S.J roofing
No reviews yet
The existing roof covering should always be removed if possible to identify what's happening underneath and whether the substrate requires attention .
It does sound like you were charged too much considering they overlayed existing.
Most high performance felt these days comes with some sort of manufacturers warranty so the fact they didn't tell you what went down sounds like they just installed the cheapest materials they could find
Answered14 May 2021
0
Caddy roofing
Rating: 5 out of 5
Old felt should be removed unless it’s a felt over lay like a liquid plastic . I would as for money back or go to trading Standards
Answered14 March 2021
0
BT Property Maintenance & Roofing
Rating: 4.9 out of 5
All old felt should be removed and boards inspected use three layers minimum to make a good job
Answered19 October 2020
0