By Basingstoke Roofing Experts · Call 0125 624 2410
Whether your flat roof is original 1960s felt, a 1990s torch-on replacement, or a modern GRP or EPDM installation, maintenance extends its life and prevents the sudden failures that cause interior damage. Here is what to do and when.
Clear leaves, moss, twigs and general debris from the roof surface and drainage outlets in November and March. On Basingstoke properties near trees — Oakley, Chineham, Black Dam — debris accumulates fast enough to block outlets within weeks of clearing. A blocked outlet means standing water, which is the single biggest enemy of every flat roof system.
After heavy rain, check whether water is still standing on the roof surface 48 hours later. Persistent ponding indicates inadequate drainage falls — either from the original installation or from the roof deck deflecting under load over time. Some ponding is inevitable on older felt roofs; on GRP and EPDM it should not occur if the installation was correctly specified.
The most vulnerable points on any flat roof are where the membrane meets vertical surfaces — wall upstands, edge trims, pipe penetrations. Look for lifting, cracking or separation at these junctions. On South Ham and Popley's system-built properties, the flat-to-wall junction is the most common failure point.
Felt flat roofs have a 10–15 year life. If yours is over 15 years old and you are patching it annually, you are spending more on patches than a replacement would cost over the same period. GRP and EPDM replacements last 25–30+ years with minimal maintenance — the long-term cost is lower.
Modern membranes need very little maintenance. An annual visual check of the surface, edges and outlets is sufficient. Do not pressure wash GRP — a soft brush and soapy water are adequate for cleaning. Do not drag heavy objects across EPDM — it can puncture under point loads.
Roofing is one of the few trades where the customer usually cannot see the work being discussed. That asymmetry is why getting a second opinion on any significant quote is sensible — not because most roofers are dishonest, but because specifications genuinely vary and comparing them is the only way to know what you are buying.
When comparing quotes, look past the headline figure. Does each quote include scaffold? Are materials named by manufacturer or described vaguely as "quality tiles"? Is waste disposal included? Is there a written guarantee, and what does it actually cover? A quote that is £500 cheaper but omits scaffold and dry ridge is not cheaper at all.
Ask what happens if additional problems are found once work starts. A good answer describes a process: stop, photograph, discuss, agree cost, then continue. A vague answer suggests you may face unexpected charges. Ask what guarantee is provided and request it in writing. Ask whether the guarantee transfers if you sell — a transferable guarantee is a genuine selling point.
Finally, ask for references from recent local work. Any roofer confident in their standards will provide them readily, and following up two or three takes ten minutes that could save you thousands.
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors publishes technical guidance for homeowners covering material selection, standards compliance and choosing a contractor. Your local authority building control department can advise on when notification or approval is required. For conservation area and listed building work, the Basingstoke and Deane conservation officer is the definitive source on what materials will be acceptable.
For anything specific to your own roof, a professional inspection is worth more than any amount of general reading. Call 0125 624 2410 — advice costs nothing and there is no obligation to book work.
Call 0125 624 2410 for a free, no-obligation quote.
Roofing decisions rarely exist in isolation. A question about repair costs usually leads to a question about whether replacement makes more sense, which leads to material choices, which leads to what a good quote should contain. Our other guides cover each of these in the same detail as this one.
If you are working through a specific decision and want to talk it through rather than read about it, call 0125 624 2410. There is no charge for advice and no expectation that you will book anything. We would rather you made a well-informed decision — even if that decision is to use someone else — than an uninformed one.
General guidance takes you only so far. The right answer for a 1960s system-built terrace in Popley is different from the right answer for a Victorian cottage in Old Basing or a 2000s detached in Beggarwood. Housing era, roof structure, exposure and existing condition all shape what is appropriate.
A free inspection resolves this in under an hour. We look at your actual roof, tell you what we find, and give you a written assessment you can act on or file for reference. No obligation either way.
Debris clearance twice yearly (November and March). Visual inspection annually. Professional inspection every 3–5 years or immediately if you notice ponding, lifting or leaks.
Standing water. Blocked outlets cause ponding, which stresses the membrane, accelerates deterioration, and eventually causes leaks. Keeping outlets clear is the single most important maintenance task.
10–15 years. If yours is over 15 years old, replacement with GRP or EPDM is more cost-effective than continued patching.
GRP: yes, for normal foot traffic. EPDM: carefully, avoiding dragging heavy objects. Felt: minimise traffic, walk on boards to distribute weight. Never walk on any flat roof in frost — membranes become brittle and crack.
Persistent ponding, multiple patches, bubbling or blistering on felt, visible cracks at upstands or edges, and repeated interior leaks all indicate replacement rather than repair.
GRP for extensions and walkable areas. EPDM for garages and simple rectangular roofs. Both last 25–30+ years and are vastly superior to felt in every measurable way.
Yes — and it is the most cost-effective time to do it. Rigid insulation boards above or below the deck improve thermal performance significantly. Building Regulations may require insulation upgrade during a full replacement.
No call-out fees. No obligation. Just an honest quote from a local Basingstoke roofer who'll turn up when they say they will.
0125 624 2410