When a flat roof is replaced in Lawrence Hill, homeowners understandably want to know what actually happens to the old covering, and what the process involves before the new EPDM membrane goes down. It is a fair question, because a proper replacement is about far more than simply laying new material over the top of the old.
The process begins with stripping the existing roof covering back completely, whether that is aged felt, an older rubber membrane, or another material. This is an important step in its own right, since simply overlaying new EPDM on top of a failing old covering would trap any existing moisture and problems beneath it, undermining the performance of the new roof from the outset.
Once the old covering has been removed, the roof deck underneath is exposed and can be properly inspected for the first time in many years. This is often the most revealing part of the whole process. Old felt roofs in particular can conceal gradual water damage to the timber decking that was never visible from above, and on a good number of Lawrence Hill properties we have found sections of decking softened or weakened in ways the previous covering had been quietly hiding.
Where the timber decking is found to be sound, it is cleaned down and prepared as the base for the new EPDM installation. Where sections have deteriorated, that timber is cut out and replaced before any new membrane is fitted, since installing a new roof covering over a compromised deck would only mask the underlying problem rather than solve it.
Old fixings, trims and edge details are also removed and assessed as part of this process. Perished timber battens, corroded fixings or damaged trims are replaced rather than reused, ensuring the new EPDM system has a clean, properly prepared base to be bonded and dressed against, particularly at edges and any junctions with walls or chimneys.
Waste materials from the strip-out, including old felt, damaged timber and any other debris, are removed from site responsibly as part of the job, so the property is left tidy once the new roof is complete.
Once the deck has been confirmed sound, or repaired where necessary, the falls across the roof and the condition of any brickwork at wall and chimney junctions are also reviewed before the new EPDM membrane is fitted, so the finished roof is built on a base that has genuinely been checked rather than simply assumed to be adequate.
This thorough approach takes a little longer than simply laying new material over an existing roof, but it is the only way to be confident that an EPDM installation in Lawrence Hill is going onto a genuinely sound base, and it is a step we consider non-negotiable on every replacement we carry out. If you are planning a flat roof replacement, Brunel Roofing Bristol will explain exactly what we find once your old roof is stripped back, and what, if anything, needs addressing before the new membrane is installed.
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