A flat roof in Caerphilly has a harder life than most. The town sits at the foot of the valleys with high ground close by, so rain arrives often and the wind that comes down off the mountain edge pushes water into every edge and joint. When a flat roof starts to leak here, it rarely stays a small problem for long.
We repair and replace flat roofs on garages, extensions, porches and dormers across Caerphilly and nearby places such as Bedwas, Machen, Nelson and Ystrad Mynach. We work in EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass and felt, and we pick the one that suits the roof in front of us rather than pushing the same system every time.
The older terraces under the castle mostly have pitched roofs, but many have a flat-roofed rear extension or lean-to added later for a kitchen or bathroom. Those are often the first part of the house to leak, because they were added quickly and the roof was never given much thought. Some still carry an old felt covering that has long since cracked.
On the large post-war estates and the newer modern developments, flat roofs show up over integral garages, bay windows, porches and rear extensions. Some are original and now well past their best. Others were added by owners making more room. Small shops and workshops near the centre also have flat roofs that need to keep working without disruption.
Flat roofs fail in familiar ways. Water sits in dips and finds a weak seam, edges lift in the wind, and old felt splits as it dries out and cracks. Leaves and moss block outlets, so water has nowhere to go. In a wet, windy spot like Caerphilly, a roof that is only slightly worn can start to let water in after one hard winter.
A single sheet of rubber, so there are few seams to let water in. It suits larger garage and extension roofs here, and it copes well with wind and constant rain once it is bonded and edged properly.
A hard, seamless finish laid in place and well suited to small or awkward shapes like porches, dormers and roofs with lots of upstands. It stays rigid, which helps where people may need to access the roof for maintenance.
A sensible option on a budget-conscious repair or on a small outbuilding. Modern felt is far better than the old type, and on a simple roof it does the job well, though it will not last as long as the other two.
Finding where a flat roof leaks is half the job, because the water often appears inside a long way from where it got in. We trace it back to the cause: a split seam, a lifted edge, a blocked outlet or a failed joint with the wall. If the rest of the roof is sound, a repair is the honest answer and we say so.
If the covering has gone across the whole roof, or the boards underneath are wet and soft, a repair only buys a few months. In that case we recommend a full replacement, strip back to the deck, replace any rotten boards, and fit the new covering with proper edges and drainage. We explain the choice and put the work in a written quote. Urgent leaks can be made safe first.
At Flat Roofing South Wales, we provide professional flat roofing installation, replacement and repair services throughout South Wales, helping homeowners, landlords and businesses maintain watertight and dependable roofs.
Usually it is a split seam, a lifted edge or a blocked outlet, and in Caerphilly the wind and constant rain find those quickly. Water also travels, so the stain inside may be some distance from the real fault. We trace it properly before suggesting a repair.
For most garages EPDM rubber is a good choice. It is one sheet with few joints, and it handles wind and heavy rain well. GRP suits smaller or awkward shapes. We look at the size, shape and condition of your roof before recommending.
If the covering is mostly sound and the damage is local, a repair is fair. If the felt is cracked across the roof or the boards below are soft with damp, replacement makes more sense. We tell you which it is and show you what we found.
Yes. We work in Caerphilly and nearby places including Bedwas, Machen, Senghenydd, Abertridwr, Llanbradach, Ystrad Mynach, Nelson and Rudry. Give us the address and a brief description of the problem and we will arrange a visit.
Yes. Get in touch and we will talk through what is happening. Where we can, we make the roof safe and stop the water coming in first, then look at a lasting repair or a replacement once the roof is dry enough to assess.
Tell us about the job and we'll get back to you — usually the same day.
Prefer to talk? Call 07766 547309.
