Leaking Flat Roof

[petetobin]

Hi,

I live in a flat in an old 1830's house where part of my ceiling is the outside terrace for the flat above. A year or so I noticed a damp patch on the ceiling below the terrace which eventually started dripping in our room below and I drilled a small hole to relieve the pressure. We had a surveyor in who diagnosed the problem as probably needing a new roof laid but that we should first try sealing and repairing the french doors opening onto the terrace in case water was leaking in that way. One year on we have tried both things and guess what it still leaks! The new asphalt roof and terrace looks like a really tidy job which was quickly and reasonably done and I am sure that is watertight; so I am left with trying to work out how water could be getting in. The one candidate I can see is the afore mentioned French Doors/Windows but I don't really know where to start and as you would imagine everyone seems to have their own (costly) solution.

The only real information I have to go on is that the water comes through where the terrace meets the house and smack in the middle of where the french doors open. Of course water can travel a long way but this looks suspicious. I have also heard that there should be a lead lip which sits under the doors and chanels any water which leaks down through the door out onto the roof. Is this true? If so, I can see that there is lead there but I can't tell whether it extends under the door.

Any advise would be really appreciated. Even if it is just which would be the best type of person to get. I got in a roof person and I got a new roof!

Pete

 

[Alastairreid]

you dont have to double post pete!.

 

[justlead1]

Hi. Is there an upstand at the underside of the door. ( does the asphalt turn up from flat?) Often, to avoid a step, doors are fitted to low to the flat roof / decking, disallowing any weathering at this point. If there is an upstand a sheet lead tray can be fitted to stop ingress of water. Have a look at this site http://www.justlead.co.uk there is an image on the site that may help to understand its application. Good Luck

 

[petetobin]

you dont have to double post pete!.

Wasn't sure which discipline I needed help from. Shows how confused I am

 

[petetobin]

Hi. Is there an upstand at the underside of the door. ( does the asphalt turn up from flat?) Often, to avoid a step, doors are fitted to low to the flat roof / decking, disallowing any weathering at this point. If there is an upstand a sheet lead tray can be fitted to stop ingress of water. Have a look at this site http://www.justlead.co.uk there is an image on the site that may help to understand its application. Good Luck

I think my problem is that the lead which sits under the bay has failed. It definitely has one fitted but it looks like it is leaking and probably needs to be replaced. The problem is that it looks like the whole bay has to be taken out to fit the new lead and this is going to be a very big job especially as the bay is very old and I suspect some of the wood is rotten and won't survive being taken out and put back in again. In the short term I am trying to track down the point the water is getting into the bay and sealing it off. Is there anything else that could be done short of taking all the bay out?

 

[justlead1]

Hi. To get further response regard solution you will need to post images of the situation. good luck

 

[roofer1234]

get a leak test done by a leak tester and he should be able to narrow done where the water is getting in i could do this for you but all depends on where you are situated.

 

[antperkins]

Hi Pete.

We have exactly the same situation, and have had the terrace replaced twice to no avail.

I was wondering if you ever solved your problem, and if so, how you solved it.

Regards
Anthony