EPDM Flat Roof Replacement on Dereham Road, Norwich

Location: Dereham Road, Norwich
Work carried out: Full flat roof replacement, timber framework, OSB decking, EPDM rubber covering, fascia and guttering

The Problem

The homeowner on Dereham Road had been living with a failing flat roof for longer than they should have had to. The original covering had deteriorated to the point where patches were no longer holding, and water was getting in. That’s the thing with old felt flat roofs, there comes a point where you’re not really repairing the roof anymore, you’re just managing its decline.

When our team came out to inspect, it was clear a repair wasn’t the right answer. The decking underneath had taken moisture damage over time, and critically, the roof had almost no fall to it. Water was pooling instead of draining, which had been accelerating the damage from the start. Fixing the surface without addressing that underlying problem would have meant the same issues returning within a few years.

The recommendation was a full replacement, done properly from the structure up.

The Work

Stripping Back to the Structure

We started by removing the old roof covering and decking completely. Once it was stripped back, we could see the full extent of the moisture damage to the existing timbers. Some sections needed replacing entirely before anything new went on top.

New Timbers for Proper Fall

This is the part that makes the difference between a flat roof that lasts and one that causes problems. We installed new timber joists designed to create a consistent fall across the roof, so rainwater drains away to the guttering rather than sitting on the surface. It sounds like a basic thing, but it’s often skipped on cheaper jobs, and it’s exactly why a lot of flat roofs fail prematurely.

OSB Decking

With the new framework in place, we laid new OSB boards across the full roof area. OSB gives a solid, stable base for the EPDM to bond to and ensures the finished surface is level and consistent.

EPDM Rubber Covering

The EPDM membrane went on as a single, seamless sheet. That’s one of the biggest advantages of EPDM over older felt systems, no joints, no seams, no weak points for water to find its way through. The membrane was fully bonded to the OSB deck and dressed neatly at all edges and upstands.

EPDM is our preferred flat roofing system for good reason. It handles the freeze-thaw cycles of a Norfolk winter, resists UV degradation, and when it’s properly installed, it’s a roof that genuinely doesn’t need to be thought about for 20 to 30 years.

New Fascia and Guttering

While we had the roofline open, we replaced the fascia boards and installed new guttering throughout. The old guttering had been contributing to the problem, inadequate and poorly positioned, it wasn’t channelling water away efficiently. The new system is properly sized and positioned to work with the fall of the new roof.

The Result

The homeowner went from a roof they’d been worrying about for years to one they won’t need to think about for decades. The whole job was completed cleanly, the site was left tidy, and it’s backed by our 10-year workmanship guarantee.

If you’ve got a flat roof in a similar situation, ageing felt, no real fall, damp getting in, it’s worth getting it looked at properly. A patch might buy you a bit of time, but it won’t solve the underlying problem. We’re happy to come out, have an honest look, and tell you exactly what you’re dealing with.

Call us on 01603 905 295 or get in touch via our free quote form.