Flat Garage roof le...
 

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[Closed] Flat Garage roof leak - DIY fix?

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I've just noticed we've got a bit of a leak in the roof of our garage roof - it's currently a felt/tar like material with a very course gravel.

Getting a roofer out at the start of winter is likely to be a bit of a bawache and come with a premium cost. Is there a temporary gloop fix I can spread over the roof to make water tight 'till next spring?

Cheers


 
Posted : 25/10/2021 12:16 pm
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Chromapol currently working on a roof I can't recover due to being shared owner ship......- theirs has also/is leaking but it's a stalemate with the council ATM.


 
Posted : 25/10/2021 12:47 pm
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There's a few fibre paste in a can type things that work pretty well if it's just a small hole/loose seam. You can pick them up from screwfix, toolstation, etc. Have you managed to locate the leak? Might be worth checking the woodwork underneath in case it's been happening for a while and any rot, etc. has started. The gravel is usually just there to protect the felt so just needs brushing out the way then moving back.


 
Posted : 25/10/2021 12:59 pm
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A bucket under the leak?


 
Posted : 25/10/2021 1:05 pm
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Assess the damage, is it just a single leak, or is this the culmination of a longterm issue that's now leaking, has any of the roof support been damaged, if so, how bad and can you also stop the spread with a fix?

Fixing a leak is an easy fix, you can patch it simply enough, but it's making sure that any damage caused doesn't end up causing a bigger issue later on, such as rotting wood, damp, etc, there's a way of fixing all the issues, but the longer it's left the worse it'll be.


 
Posted : 25/10/2021 1:28 pm
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Thanks all, I *think* this is a recent leak where the water tends to pool on the felt. The woodwork is damp inside obviously but it doesn't look like rot.

My thinking was to repair to stop the leak just now and allow it to dry out for the winter then assess in the spring whether the full roof wants redone. Slight complication is our garage and my neighbours is joined and his roof bit looks in good condition...

As for just leaving it - my turbo and treadmill live in the garage, I'd prefer not to be working out in a damp environment (even if I do live in Scotland)

That Chromapol looks just the ticket, thanks.


 
Posted : 25/10/2021 1:46 pm
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The stuff that Screwfix sell with fiberglass strands in it is great stuff for resealing seams that have come unstuck and small holes.
Used to have a flat roof with a raised skylight in it that always caused problems.
Good coating with that stuff sorted it out.


 
Posted : 25/10/2021 2:03 pm
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Hope it all works, see a couple recently that had crappy chipboard as the decking for the roof, water damaged killed it, so always worth checking.

Remember with any repair to clear as much of the gravel as you can, clean it well and get some of that cromapol down or a patch if you need it, and of course remember where the beams are and use a crawl board if you can that straddles two beams.


 
Posted : 25/10/2021 2:36 pm
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As per trail rat

Acrapol or cromopol its a trade name difference its good effective bodgery

It sticks like shite to a blanket.

I'd use a heat gun to drive the moisture out.

It's either that or a felt patch.


 
Posted : 26/10/2021 10:39 am
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A patch isn’t that hard to do, however it’s is best to do this after a warm dry spell to minimise risk from water ingress. Also you need to be exactly sure where the leak is on the outside. I had a leak in my flat roof which was travelling 5 m before dripping inside.


 
Posted : 26/10/2021 11:31 am
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Bostik Emergency Grey Roofing waterproofer,is currently reduced at B&Q £27 for 5l.


 
Posted : 26/10/2021 3:56 pm

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