Flat roof leaking
Discussion
My flat fiberglass roof is leaking somewhere, It does not appear to be damaged, so i have not got a clue exactly where it is leaking, however with heavy rain it tends to leak and stain the internal house ceiling so i am guessing it leaks around there somewhere.
I am thinking of sealing the outside of the roof with something, can anyone recommend a really good product for this which is relatively easy to put on and last for at least say 5 years maybe longer. The last thing that i want to do is have the roof replaced as that will cost an absolute fortune.
I am thinking of sealing the outside of the roof with something, can anyone recommend a really good product for this which is relatively easy to put on and last for at least say 5 years maybe longer. The last thing that i want to do is have the roof replaced as that will cost an absolute fortune.
GRP should not leak through the actual material without the surface looking seriously degraded.
So I would expect the leak to be an edge, join, fitting or some other detail, or maybe a stress crack.
Also be aware that water dripping from the underside of a GRP deck can be condensation which got in somewhere else entirely.
I've spent many happy hours sorting leaks on GRP boat decks. 'Every screw hole' is a good first guess.
Some GRP roofing has been shocking quality though, you wonder how it got through the first shower.
I would check the flashings etc before slathering any gloop around as once you coat GRP in other stuff it's hard to make a good job of adding more GRP.
GRP is a stiff material which can put a lot of stress on repairs making them fail quickly. It has a rep of being a bodger's favourite stuff, but actually it needs to be done right. The whole job can be rendered hopeless by getting a quid's worth of materials wrong.
If you can find a boat repairer, they may spot the problem and understand an effective repair.
So I would expect the leak to be an edge, join, fitting or some other detail, or maybe a stress crack.
Also be aware that water dripping from the underside of a GRP deck can be condensation which got in somewhere else entirely.
I've spent many happy hours sorting leaks on GRP boat decks. 'Every screw hole' is a good first guess.
Some GRP roofing has been shocking quality though, you wonder how it got through the first shower.
I would check the flashings etc before slathering any gloop around as once you coat GRP in other stuff it's hard to make a good job of adding more GRP.
GRP is a stiff material which can put a lot of stress on repairs making them fail quickly. It has a rep of being a bodger's favourite stuff, but actually it needs to be done right. The whole job can be rendered hopeless by getting a quid's worth of materials wrong.
If you can find a boat repairer, they may spot the problem and understand an effective repair.
princeperch said:
I have seen and heard good things about lava 20 but as with many of these after the event coatings it is a little bit of a bodge. If you know roughly where you're leaking from why dont you just wait for slightly warmer weather in a few weeks time and put more fibreglass down ?
Do you mean lay more fibreglass and coat? Always struck me this should be easy but what's the reality?fooman said:
Do you mean lay more fibreglass and coat? Always struck me this should be easy but what's the reality?
You need the old GRP to be dry, clean and freshly abraded to have the best chance of bonding to it.A roof is not the ideal project for learning GRP work.
Specially your own roof!
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