How To Tell If Your Flat Roof Needs Replacing

Daniel Bracewell • 7 December 2020
While flat roofing certainly represents excellent value for money, it’s important to remember that nothing lasts forever and it can pay to be familiar with issues that may appear over time that could mean your flat roof needs either repair work carried out or to be replaced entirely.

Look out for cracks and splits in the felt of your roof and make sure you have these repaired as soon as you can, since if they’re left they will get worse and allow water to be absorbed by the material beneath, which can make your roof unsafe to walk on.

If you notice that the cracks or splits have spread across the entire surface of the felt, it’s too late for small repairs to be carried out and it is likely that the roof will need replacing.

Something else to look out for is bubbles and blisters in the roof material, which generally happens as a result of adhesion failure, with the bubbles filling up with air or water. This can be repaired if caught early enough but, again, if you leave it, you’ll likely have to replace the roof.

Checking your roof over regularly also means you can see if you have any standing water anywhere. Over time, if this is left to its own devices, it can lead to cracks, which will eventually let water in. And, again, if you notice any moss or algae growth, this is a sign that there’s something wrong, something that will need to be addressed sooner rather than later.

Looking for flat roof specialists in Manchester? Get in touch with A&B Roofing today.

by Daniel Bracewell 10 December 2025
If you’re exploring how to lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint, you may be looking at the likes of solar panels for your home. But what if your property has a flat roof rather than a pitched roof? Can you still install solar panels on a flat roof? The short answer is yes, you can! In fact, it is often easier to install solar panels on a flat roof than it is to fit them to a sloped roof, which might make this an even more appealing avenue to explore when you’re looking at flat roof ideas . In many cases, you also don’t need planning permission to install solar panels on your flat roof. Of course, there are exceptions if you have a listed building or live in a conservation area, but if you own your house (different rules apply for flats too), you should be free to add solar panels to your home as you choose. There are different kinds of mounting systems for flat roof solar panels and which is most appropriate for your home will depend on the direction it faces. It is worth noting that the cost of installing solar panels is often higher on flat roofs because of the mounting system, but some of this can be offset by the lower labour costs because the installation process is usually more straightforward. One of the main reasons homeowners install solar panels is to reduce their energy bills. Many report savings of hundreds of pounds each year, which means these panels often pay for themselves relatively quickly. What’s more, under the Smart Export Guarantee , you can sell any energy you don’t use back to the National Grid, which can increase the rate at which your investment in solar panels pays for itself. So, if you are exploring ways to make the most of your flat roof, consider solar panels as an option to reduce your energy bills and do good for the environment.
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