Roof work by McCluskey Roofing
Rear offshoots on terraces
Many terraces in Heaton, Jesmond, Sandyford and Fenham have rear offshoots that house kitchens and bathrooms. Some have flat roofs; others have shallow lean-to roofs. These are often old felt or asphalt, patched many times. Water tends to collect at the junction with the main house, causing leaks into the rooms below.
Dormers
Loft conversions have added dormers to many Newcastle homes. Their flat tops are often felt, and leaks commonly start at the back where the dormer meets the main roof or at the front drip above the window. Because they are high up, access needs planning.
Garages
Detached and attached garages in Gosforth, Kenton and Benton often have flat felt roofs that have reached the end of their life. Some older garages have asbestos cement sheets, which need specialist handling before any new roof goes on.
Extensions
Single-storey extensions on semis and detached homes in Gosforth, Kenton and Benton often have flat roofs with roof lights or lanterns. The edges, the wall junction and the roof light upstand are the details that matter most.
EPDM rubber for Newcastle flat roofs
We usually recommend EPDM for re-covering flat roofs. It is a single sheet with few joints, copes with temperature changes and suits the shapes of offshoots, dormers and garages. Our EPDM page explains it fully.
Repair or re-cover?
If the deck is sound and the damage is in one place, a repair may be enough. If the roof is patched all over, soft underfoot or leaking in several places, re-covering is usually better value.
Insulation
When most of a flat roof is renewed, it is often a good time to upgrade to a warm roof with insulation above the deck. That can make a room below more comfortable and may be needed under building regulations.
Back-lane access for flat roof work
Many flat roofs on Newcastle terraces are reached from the back lane. Materials and waste come in and out that way, so planning around neighbours, bins and parked cars is part of the job. We keep the lane as clear as we can.
Tyneside flats and shared roofs
Where a rear offshoot belongs to a Tyneside flat, the roof may be shared between owners. Agreeing the work with the other owner before starting avoids problems.
Common faults
Splits in old felt, blistering, ponding water, failed upstands where the roof meets the house wall and blocked outlets are the faults we see most often. Each can let water into the room below.
Garages in Benton and Kenton
Many garages in these areas are blocks or detached units with flat roofs. When they are re-covered, the edges and gutters are often renewed at the same time so water drains cleanly.
Porches and bay roofs
Smaller flat roofs over porches and bay windows are common on Newcastle semis and terraces. They are often overlooked until they leak, and re-covering them is a small but detailed job, with care at the wall and window head.
Warm roof upgrades
Re-covering a flat roof over a lived-in room is a good time to add insulation above the deck. Our warm roof guide explains the choice.
From a Heaton offshoot to a Gosforth extension or a Benton garage, the approach is the same: strip, check the deck, detail every edge properly and leave a roof that drains cleanly. We explain the options before any work starts.
Getting a quote
Send us photos of the flat roof and tell us where it is. We will look at it and give you a free quote. Our main flat roofing page covers all our flat roof work.