EPDM Rubber Roofing › Neath › Guide
Flat roofs on Neath's terrace extensions, garages and porches have long been covered in felt, and many of those roofs are now splitting or ponding. EPDM is the common alternative. This guide explains how each is built, where each does well, and what really decides whether a flat roof stays watertight.
How felt roofs are built
Felt is laid in layers, joined at laps and seams, and often heat-bonded or stuck down. Seams and edges are where it tends to fail, and it is vulnerable to movement and ponding water. A well-laid felt roof does the job, but quality depends heavily on workmanship at every join, and many older Neath roofs are patched repeatedly before they are replaced.
How EPDM roofs are built
EPDM is a single-ply synthetic rubber membrane. Where size allows, it is laid in one sheet, bonded to the deck with adhesive, with edge trims, upstands and corners finished carefully. With few joints in the main area, there are fewer places for water to enter. It is flexible, so small movements in the deck are less likely to tear it.
- One sheet over the main area on most small roofs
- Fewer joints than felt, so fewer weak points
- Bonded to the deck, with trims and upstands detailed by hand
- Flexible, so it copes with small movement in the deck
The deck, falls and drainage
Neither covering will perform on a bad deck. Soft boards, poor falls and blocked outlets matter more than the choice of membrane. Water that stands on a roof finds a way in eventually, whatever it is made of. We check the deck, the fall to the outlet and the insulation before recommending either covering, and we repair what needs repairing first.
Where each suits
EPDM suits garages, extensions, porches, dormer flats and small to medium flat roofs, especially those with awkward edges. Felt can still suit some roofs, provided the work at laps and edges is careful. For wider choices, see our Flat Roofing South Wales section.
On Victorian terraces with later rear extensions, a single sheet wrapped up the wall is often neater than layered felt. On interwar garages around Skewen and Bryncoch, the plain shape often suits one sheet, which keeps the number of joints down.
Repairs and what to ask
EPDM that is sound can often be patched or cured where it has been punctured or lifted. Felt repairs are also possible, though a roof patched many times is a signal to re-cover. Ask any roofer what is going on under the covering, how the edges will be finished and how water will leave the roof. A clear answer to each tells you most of what you need to know about the quality of the job, and we are glad to give ours.
Need epdm rubber roofing in Neath? See our epdm rubber roofing in Neath page, or call 07766 547309.
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Common Questions
Is EPDM more waterproof than felt?
Both can keep water out when laid well. EPDM has fewer joints, which removes some weak points, but a poor deck or bad falls can defeat either one. We check the deck and drainage first, then say which covering we would put down.
Can I tell which covering I have?
Felt looks black and layered with visible laps, often with a gritty or mineral finish. EPDM is a smooth, uniform rubber sheet. We can confirm which you have when we look at the roof, and explain what that means for repair.
Can EPDM be laid over felt?
Sometimes, but we usually prefer to strip the old felt so we can see and repair the deck. Covering unsound felt can trap moisture. We decide on site, after checking the roof and the deck beneath it.
Get a Quote in Neath
Tell us what the roof is doing in Neath and we will look at it. Call 07766 547309, message us on WhatsApp or use the form below.