Flat roof extension - buy house with caution?

[flatroofextensionite]

It doesn't look like a new fangled one. I'd say maybe added in the early 90s at a total guess.

The main downstairs space is provided by this extension as the upstairs space is relatively very small.

Given the volume of rain we get in the UK (am assuming youa re UK?) I wouldn't touch a flat roof. Have never known one without a problem.

If it needs redoing, it won't be that costly - you could always ask for an estimate from a couple of firms by giving them the approx square metres.

Magi - would it help if we did get it redone as Yoni suggests?

Anyone know about how much?

Could be a negotiation tool.

I live in a house with a flat roof. Been here 40 years and had the roof replaced once. New roof came with a 20 year guarantee.

The advantage for you over me, is that you will be able to see any deterioration as it happens. I am no,expert but I don't believe our roof has been any more expensive to,maintain than a pitch roof.

Thanks!

My parents lived in a house with a large amount of flat roof (large utility room, kitchen extension & the entire dining room) for 35 years. They had a problem twice - once when the window cleaner put his foot through (although, to be fair, he was a big man and had jumped out of the bedroom window on to it) and once after about 30 years in the house when a leak over the kitchen led them to replace the whole lot.

The house sold to the first viewer after DM passed away, so it certainly won't put everyone off!

Lots of houses have flat roof extensions. You don't say if there's any sign of water getting in anywhere - are there damp patches on the ceilings/corners etc?

They are only bad if they're not built properly. Incidentally they aren't completely level, they're supposed to have a slight pitch for drainage purposes. If you can see it from above, look and see if there's any sign of the felt being raised or damaged anywhere. For your peace of mind, ask a reputable roofing company to have a look for you. The vendors should have details of the planning permission, guarantee etc from when it was built. Your solicitor should be asking for this information from their solicitors.

Thanks!

HTH

We have a very large flat roof extension kitchen diner. It's the only part of the house we don't have problems with! I wouldn't rule a house out on it at all. They are also relatively easy to maintain and repair yourselves.

How many square metres are covered by this flat roof and what is its construction? If there is currently nothing wrong with it you might want to look at saving up to have the roof replaced with either a better flat roof system or a pitched, tiled roof eventually.

A properly installed flat roof should last for fifty years. I owned a house with a flat roof extension - it was absolutely fine when I bought the place, there were no issues during the time I owned it and it was still in very good nick when I sold over sixteen years later.

What you may find is that the insulation is not good by today's standards.

Just about to get our 20yr old flat roof replaced because we're beginning to get small leaks occasionally. It hasn't been much hassle, it's about 90m2 and will cost under 4k plus vat for the roof, plus insulation (a bit less again). I quite like being able to go up and look at it, makes me feel in control if there is an issue rather than scaffolding etc.

We had an old extrnsion with a flat roof. It leaked but whole extension was rubbish and single skin. We had it all torn down last year and a new extension built with a pitched roof. I do believe, however, that modem pitched roofs are much better.

We have a large flat roof above our sitting room, which is also a patio. It leaked when we bought the house in 1997 when it was covered in fibre glass. We replaced it a few months after moving in with a three layer bitumen and tile roof and have had no issues since. The 20 year guarantee expires in two years but we would simply redo it if necessary as it was not desperately expensive -- £2k then comes to mind. We use a pressure washer to clean the tiles each spring, and it has remained watertight despite someone deciding to light a firepit on it; the bitument bubbled through but it hasn't leaked. We noticed an immense difference in warmth when we insulated the sitting room roof properly though!

Our flat roof is 40 years old, no problems so far. We're going to get it redone this year for peace of mind.......or perhaps we won't.

last house had two such. We owned it 20 years and replaced both in that time, but don't know how old they were. It wasn't a fortune to get them done.

not a showstopper. Remember to declare to the insurers as it affects premium.

we have a flat roof at the side of our house -garage plus smallish extension - been in the house 30 odd years. We had a bitumen one fitted that lasted 20 odd years, and we replaced it 3 years ago with the fibreglass option. No leaks, looks good and a guarantee of 25 years plus. I think it cost in the region of about £600 -£700 ( we also had another garage roof done at the same time, so can't be precise!) its about 24-25 square metres.