EPDM Rubber Roofing › Maesteg › Guide
People often ask how quickly the rubber can go down. The more useful question is what it will be stuck to. EPDM is bonded to the deck with adhesive, so any rot, movement or standing water underneath shows up later. In a wet valley like Maesteg, preparation is where the roof is won or lost.
Is the deck sound?
We inspect the boards for softness, staining, rot and movement, from above where we can and from below where there is a ceiling or loft to look into. Boards that have been wet for a long time are replaced. Laying rubber over weak timber just hides a fault that returns. We tell you what we find before agreeing the work, with the damaged boards pointed out where possible.
Falls and drainage
A flat roof is never truly flat. It needs a slight fall towards the outlet or gutter so water leaves quickly. On older garages and extensions in Maesteg, decks often sag or settle. Where water ponds, we correct the falls with new timbers or firrings so rainwater runs off. Small adjustments to the falls can make a big difference to how long the roof stays dry.
- Slight fall towards the gutter or outlet
- Outlets and gutters clear and sound
- No dips where water can sit
- Edges set to carry water into the gutter
Insulation and ventilation
If the roof is being re-done, it is a good time to look at insulation. Where a deck is already insulated, we check it has not got wet. The build-up beneath the membrane has to suit the roof, and condensation inside it can rot the boards from underneath, so we plan this before we lay the sheet. Dry insulation and a clear route for moisture to escape keep the deck healthy over time.
Surface, edges and upstands
The deck has to be clean, dry and smooth for the adhesive to bond. Old felt, nails and debris are removed, and the edges and the junctions with walls are made ready for trims and upstands. These are the places that cause trouble on small roofs, so they get proper care. A clean surface also helps the membrane lie flat without wrinkles at the corners.
When a repair is enough
Sometimes the existing roof is sound apart from one failed area. If the membrane is in good order, a patch or cure may be enough, and we say so. Our Flat Roofing South Wales section covers wider flat roof work. If the deck is poor, we explain why a full re-cover is the sensible route. Patches suit a roof with one fault, but they cannot cure a deck that is rotting throughout.
Need epdm rubber roofing in Maesteg? See our epdm rubber roofing in Maesteg page, or call 07766 547309.
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Common Questions
Can EPDM be laid over my old felt roof?
Sometimes, but only when the old covering and the deck beneath are sound, flat and dry. We check this before agreeing anything. Where felt is blistered or the boards are soft, we strip back and repair the deck first.
What if my flat roof holds standing water?
Ponding means the falls are wrong or the deck has sagged. Rubber on top will not fix it, and the water will sit on the new membrane. We correct the falls as part of the preparation so the water drains.
Does the deck need to be dry before work starts?
Yes. Adhesive will not bond properly to damp boards, and trapped moisture rots the timber. In a damp valley we choose a dry spell, and we may cover the roof temporarily if the weather turns.
Get a Quote in Maesteg
Tell us what the roof is doing in Maesteg and we will look at it. Call 07766 547309, message us on WhatsApp or use the form below.