Warm Deck EPDM Flat Roof Replacement for EHB Residential in Leamington Spa

Flat roof problems are not always solved by adding another layer over what is already there. At this property managed by EHB Residential on Clarendon Place in Leamington Spa, the existing felt flat roof was stripped back and rebuilt properly.

The project created a completely renewed flat roof build-up rather than simply patching the ageing covering, improving both the waterproofing and insulation of this prominent section of the property.

The existing roof had been finished with a traditional felt covering. Over time, flat roofing materials are exposed to continual changes in temperature, rain, sunlight and general weathering.

As an older felt system deteriorates, the risk of cracking, lifting and water penetration increases. Where deterioration has become widespread, repeatedly treating individual weak points can become a short-term solution to a much bigger problem.

At Clarendon Place, the decision was therefore made to strip the existing roof covering and rebuild the flat roof system properly. The old covering was removed so the timber roof deck underneath could be exposed and assessed before the new system was installed.

Removing the existing covering is an important part of a comprehensive flat roof replacement. It means the new roofing system does not simply conceal the condition of the layers underneath.

Once the felt was stripped from the Clarendon Place roof, the team could work from the underlying structure upwards and construct a completely new roof build-up. This is particularly valuable on older properties, where several generations of repairs or coverings can sometimes accumulate over time.

Starting again from a suitable base provides much greater control over how the new roof is constructed.

The replacement roof was designed as a warm deck flat roof. In a warm roof construction, insulation is positioned above the main structural deck and underneath the final waterproof roof covering.

This helps keep more of the roof structure on the warm side of the insulation. For this project, rigid insulation boards were incorporated across the flat roof area before the new upper decking was installed.

That means the work did more than simply renew the waterproof surface. It also upgraded the thermal element of the roof as part of the same project.

A roof forms part of the thermal envelope of a building. Without appropriate insulation, heat can escape through the roof during colder weather, making the building harder and potentially more expensive to keep warm.

When an older flat roof is already being comprehensively stripped and rebuilt, it can therefore be an ideal opportunity to address insulation at the same time.

The correct construction depends on the building and roof design, but integrating insulation into a warm roof build-up means waterproofing and thermal performance can be considered together rather than as separate jobs.

Once the insulation had been positioned, the flat roof was finished with new top decking ready to receive the final roofing membrane. The new boards created a clean, continuous surface across the roof.

The substrate underneath an EPDM membrane matters. A high-quality waterproof roof covering still relies on the surface beneath it being suitable, stable and correctly prepared.

Creating a new roof deck therefore provides the membrane with the foundation it needs to perform correctly. It also gave the team an opportunity to properly form the roof area around the doorway, perimeter walls and surrounding roof details.

The completed roof was finished with an EPDM membrane. EPDM is a synthetic rubber roofing material widely used for modern flat roof installations.

Rather than relying on multiple overlapping layers across the main roof surface, EPDM can create a broad, continuous waterproof covering. This is particularly useful for flat roofs because water naturally moves away more slowly than it does on a steep pitched roof.

The final membrane therefore forms one of the most important lines of defence against water entering the property.

The completed photographs from Clarendon Place show the new dark EPDM covering extending across the complete roof area.

A flat roof is rarely just one large rectangular surface. At Clarendon Place, the roof had to interact with the existing building façade, door and window openings, changes in level and the perimeter of the structure.

These junctions are some of the most important parts of a flat roof installation. Even a perfectly waterproof membrane across the centre of a roof cannot compensate for badly detailed edges.

The new roof was therefore formed carefully around the surrounding walls and architectural details so that the waterproofing system continued beyond the main central roof area.

The roofing work was finished with new leadwork trims. Lead has been used in British roofing for centuries because it can be shaped to accommodate complex roof details while providing a durable weather-resistant junction.

At Clarendon Place, the leadwork formed part of the finishing detail where the new flat roof met surrounding parts of the building. These smaller details are easy to overlook when viewing a roof from the ground, but they play a significant role in directing rainwater away from vulnerable joints.

Not every felt roof problem means the entire roof needs replacing. A relatively young roof with one isolated defect may be suitable for localised repair.

However, replacement may make more sense where there is widespread deterioration, repeated leaking, multiple previous patches, damaged underlying decking or an ageing roof covering nearing the end of its useful service life.

A proper inspection is important because the visible roof surface only tells part of the story. The condition of the decking, edges, outlets and surrounding junctions also matters.

Projects like Clarendon Place are especially relevant to landlords, estate agents, managing agents and property managers responsible for maintaining residential buildings.

Repeatedly responding to individual leaks can quickly become disruptive for both the property manager and occupants. Where a flat roof has reached the end of its serviceable life, a comprehensive replacement can provide a much clearer long-term maintenance strategy than continuing to patch an ageing system.

For managed properties, documenting the work is also useful because future maintenance teams can understand how the roof has been constructed and what system is in place.

Roof Maintenance Leamington carries out flat roof repairs, felt roof replacement, EPDM roofing, insulated warm roof installation and roof maintenance across Leamington Spa and the surrounding Warwickshire area.

At Clarendon Place, the project transformed an ageing felt roof into a completely renewed roofing system. The old covering was stripped away, insulation incorporated, a new roof deck installed and the finished roof protected with EPDM membrane and new leadwork details.

What started as an old felt roof is now a modern insulated flat roof built from the structure upwards.