
There are a few methods of repairing a flat roof with felt, the most common of these are:
- Extra layer: It’s possible to add a new layer of felt on the top of your flat roof. The best way to do this is to use...
- Patch repair: If the damaged area is small, a patch repair may be the most suitable option. The way to do this is to add...
Full Answer
How do you repair a split in a felt roof?
Tears: Carefully check the roof is not damaged under the tear, then clean the felt around the split. Add a layer of felt adhesive under the tear and push flat while it sets. Next cut a patch of felt that’s big enough to overlap the edges of the split by 5cm. Finally, use adhesive to stick the patch over the tear and press down.
Can you use felt to protect a flat roof?
Using felt to protect shed and outhouse roofs is very popular, and it isn’t hard to see why. Felt is affordable and very lightweight, making it easy to install and repair, even for those who aren’t experienced in DIY. So, if you want to learn how to felt a flat roof, you’re in the right place.
How do you flatten a flat roof?
Again, make sure there are no air bubbles and that your final layer of felt overlaps the flat roof by more than 5cm. Walk over your newly laid felt to completely flatten the surface.
How to felt a flat shed roof?
Again, make sure there are no air bubbles and that your final layer of felt overlaps the flat roof by more than 5cm. Walk over your newly laid felt to completely flatten the surface. Finally, add one more layer of adhesive and consider adding a layer of gravel over the top. Find a felt roofer near you How to felt a flat shed roof

How do you repair a felt flat roof?
You will need to cut a piece of felt that is big enough to allow a 15cm overlap around the damage. Then seal it down with bitumen adhesive or roofing cement. You need to ensure that the patch is placed firmly on top of the adhesive and make sure that the edges are well sealed.
Can you patch a felt roof?
For larger sections of felt roof, patching is the most cost-effective and time-saving method. When patching, the first step to repairing a felt roof is to cut away the section which has become damaged. We recommend doing this by first scoring with a specialist Stanley knife and then cutting through.
Can you put new felt over old felt on flat roof?
When felting over any old felt you can use a bitten primer to get a proper fix, some felts are also a 3 layer system allowing them to go over old felt, however if he has quoted for old felt to be removed then that is what he should have done.
How do you seal a leaking felt roof?
The simplest way to repair a felt roof leak is once again to use acrylic-based waterproofing paint. This is highly effective at treating split felt, small gaps in joints, and punctures. If your flashing is coming away, we'd recommend repointing or redressing the old flashings to restore their waterproof seal.
How do you fix a hole in felt?
2:073:35How to Repair Moth Holes with Felting Wool | Needle Felting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd i'm going to add a few more fibers to the hole. And starting the process again stabbing theMoreAnd i'm going to add a few more fibers to the hole. And starting the process again stabbing the fibers from the front. And the back. And i keep going until all the holes in my fabric are covered.
How often should a felt roof be replaced?
between 10 and 20 yearsWhat is the lifespan of a felt roof? A felt roof will last somewhere between 10 and 20 years. The older pour and roll method of installation has now been superseded by torch-on felt which is melt welded on to a flat roof.
Should I felt over existing felt?
After removing any timber fascia boards, the first step should be removing any existing felt and inspecting your roof for any issues. These should be fixed before installing any new felt.
Should old roofing felt be removed?
Leaving the old felt on does not make the roof work or last any different. Sometimes theres no reason to remove the old felt. You can tell the decking is bad when you walk on the roof deck during tear off. If the felt is laying flat leave it on.
Can you stick roofing felt to roofing felt?
This bitumen roofing felt adhesive from Everbuild can bond your roof felt to metal, concrete, timber and other building surfaces. Whether you're working on a new roof or repairing an old one, this 1 L tub of adhesive will insulate the gaps and keep them held down.
What to put on a flat roof to stop leaks?
A small patch can act as a permanent EPDM roof repair for leaks and cracks. Apply an EPDM primer and when touch-dry, add self-adhesive rubber tape 3” around malleable flashing covering the hole. The patch should be adhered from the centre (over the hole) outwards with a firm, hard roller.
How do you stop a flat roof leaking in the rain?
How to Stop a Roof Leak in the Rain: 7 Key TipsFind the Source. In order to prevent a ceiling leaking from rain, you must understand what is allowing water to get into your home. ... Clear the Area. ... Apply Roofing Tar. ... Use PE Plastic. ... Install New Shingles. ... Use Tarpaulins. ... Seal Joints.
What is the best flat roof sealant?
What Is The Best Flat Roof Sealant?Best Overall: Mariseal 250 Liquid.Best Value: Maris Detail Liquid.Best For Leaks: Acrypol Acrylic Coat.Best For RV Roofs: LRS Rapid PMMA Liquids.Best For Flat Roofs: Mariseal 250 Liquid.Best For Metal Roofs: LRS Rapid Roof.Best For Flashing: Soudall Fix All.
Can you patch felt shed roof?
If the latter, it requires a simple repair job with a small patch piece of felt and some felt adhesive, that can be done quickly and easily. Even if your shed roof has gone beyond its lifespan, a shed roof replacement can be a relatively straightforward job too.
How do you repair a hole in a shed roof?
8:0910:17So, a Tree Poked a Hole in your Roof? Heres how to fix that.YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI'll take that roofing cement and I'll just squirt a seam of it down in this crack here. And thenMoreI'll take that roofing cement and I'll just squirt a seam of it down in this crack here. And then through this cut here and up that cut there put a little dab on top of those nails.
How do you fix a small hole in a shed roof?
6:127:39DIY: Temporary fix for hole on the roof - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then this one here I got a glue that one in two because I just did that one now it's not perfectMoreAnd then this one here I got a glue that one in two because I just did that one now it's not perfect but at least it's protecting the roof from the elements. And from that hole getting bigger.
Is it OK to leave Old felt on roof?
Leaving the old felt on does not make the roof work or last any different. Sometimes theres no reason to remove the old felt. You can tell the decking is bad when you walk on the roof deck during tear off. If the felt is laying flat leave it on.
What is the best product to repair a felt roof?
Adiseal sealant & adhesive is a great product to repair a felt roof if it’s leaking. Adiseal will emergency repair the leaking flat roof instantly as well as a provide a strong long lasting seal.
How to seal a crack in felt?
Tip: If using Adiseal to seal a crack in the felt, start by applying Adiseal at the point where the crack is nearest to you and move away to the other end on the crack. This will push Adiseal into the crack creating a much better seal.
How to clean a leaky bathroom?
Once the location of the leak has been found, thoroughly clean the area. Brush away any loose debris. Use Adisolve solvent cleaner to remove any oil, grease, bitumen & other stubborn deposits. Use a fine brush like a painting brush to clear any fine dust.
Why is my flat roof leaking?
If a flat roof is leaking, the most probable reason is the felt has either developed a crack or the felt has peeled away from the surface it’s being stuck on. This can happen due to exposure to UV, expansion & contraction due to temperature changes or high winds.
How long does it take for a leaking roof to cure?
If applied correctly, Adiseal will repair the leak instantly on a leaking felt roof. It can take Adiseal 24 to 48 hours to fully cure but the seal is immediate.
What happens if a roof is not UV resistant?
If the product is not UV resistant, there is a high chance it will fail very quickly. A roof is one of the main areas of a property where it will receive high UV radiation from the sun.
Can you check if a flat roof leak is fixed?
Once the repair has been carried out, pour some water on the roof to see instantly if it’s fixed.
What to do before stepping on a flat roof?
Before stepping onto a flat roof, consider its strength - if the roof is old and has been leaking for some time, the roof timbers may have become rotten in areas. Using a board to walk on will spread your weight and remember to take care when working near the edges of the roof as a fall may result from any slip.
How to find a leak in a felt board?
Finding the leak. The first step is to find the source of the leak in the surface of the felt. The leak in the top layer will probably not be directly above where the leak appears in the room; the water will be getting under the top layer of felt and then running between layers before finding a way through the boarding.
How to get blisters out of felt?
Blisters in the felt. Carefully clean the surface over and around the blister of any chippings, mould and dirt. Use a sharp craft knife to make a cross cut through the top layer - don't use too much pressure.
How to fix a split in a wall?
Fill the space under the lifted split/tear with bitumen adhesive and press it down. Fill any other voids with bitumen compound.
How to apply bitumen to a drywall wall?
Apply some bitumen adhesive to the exposed surface and fold back the segments. Press down the top layer into the adhesive.
What type of flashing is used on flat roofs?
Where the flat roof abuts a wall there will be some form of sealing flashing - usually a zinc ( or zinc substitute) strip.
What to do if you find an overlap?
If an overlap is found to be lifting, carefully lift it, clean out any dirt and water from underneath then allow it to dry thoroughly.
What is felt roof?
Felt is a very popular covering for shed roofs, protecting the contents of your shed from the elements and looking great. If your old shed covering is damaged or worn, now’s the perfect time to learn how to felt a flat shed roof.
When laying felt, it’s important to know how to felt the edges and corners of a flat roof?
This may seem a little tricky at first, but you’ll soon get the hang of it. The most important thing is to allow an overhang when felting your roof.
Can you use felt on a shed roof?
Using felt to protect shed and outhouse roofs is very popular, and it isn’t hard to see why. Felt is affordable and very lightweight, making it easy to install and repair, even for those who aren’t experienced in DIY. So, if you want to learn how to felt a flat roof, you’re in the right place. This guide is designed to teach you how ...
Can you put felt on a flat roof?
There are a few methods of repairing a flat roof with felt, the most common of these are: Extra layer: It’s possible to add a new layer of felt on the top of your flat roof. The best way to do this is to use torch-on felt, although this can be dangerous.
Do you need a blow torch to install felt?
Torch-on felt: You’ll need a blow torch in order to install torch-on felt, so this isn’t the best option for DIY beginners. It is however brilliant for creating a watertight seal and is installed in three layers.
Can you felt a flat roof extension?
As with garage and shed roofs, laying felt on a flat roof extension needs to be done correctly to prevent future issues. Wondering how to felt a flat roof extension? Use the instructions in our ‘how to felt a flat roof’ section.
How to repair a split in felt?
If you have a split in your felt, carefully remove the gravel around it. Cut a piece of new felt to use as a patch to cover the split. Stick this felt over your split using bitumen adhesive, ensuring there if a 50mm overlap beyond the split. Then you will need to apply some bitumen adhesive over the split repair.
What is roofing felt?
Roofing felt is one of the most common and oldest techniques when it comes to waterproofing flat roofs. The technology has advanced a lot over the years. The most reliable types of felt are touched on. Roofing felt usually is made up of a fibre material which is coated with bitumen, and a layer of gravel.
How to tell if flat roof is leaking?
Only do this if your flat roof is strong enough to hold your weight. If it has been leaking for some time, the roof timbers may have become rotten in areas. Check the overall condition of your felt. Signs of wear include tears, rips, holes and delamination.
What is flat roof repair?
Flat roof repairs usually fall into one of the categories below. 1. Temporary Repair. This type of repair depends how much life you think your flat roof has. Temporary repairs are ideal when you are close to replacing your whole roof.
Why do felt roofs have gravel?
You will notice that felt roof have a layer of gravel on top. This helps to absorb and reflect heat away from the felt, helping to prevent cracking and blistering. The life span of roofing felt is dramatically decreased if the gravel of the felt is removed, or animals such as cats and foxes scratch it.
How long does a hot felt roof last?
A hot felt roof that is well looked after should last up to 25 years.
Can you replace a felt roof?
If you need to repair an old felt roof, then you may consider getting it completely replaced for a new one. Usually this is done if the overall condition of your roof is very bad. If most of the roofing felt looks very degraded, it could be a waste of time repairing the leaking parts, as other area will create a problem no long after your repair.
