Flat Roof Balcony Fiasco
Hi everyone! I could use some advice. We bought a house with an unfinished flat roof area over two rooms of our house that was intended to be a balcony. When we bought it, it was leaking and was comprised of: (1) wooden and steel joists with insulation, (2) boards, (3) a layer of concrete, and (4) a broken layer of liquid rubber. We originally scraped off the liquid rubber, increased the incline of the roof by adding more concrete at the rear, and hired a professional to install a GRP roof over the top. The plan was to install a new roof and tile over the top with a large format white stone or porcelain tile.
Unfortunately the 'professional' GRP installation was a complete failure. After 2 years and many patch repairs, we are left with an unusable roof balcony area that still leaks. Every builder that comes to quote seems to have a preferred roofing solution, but none of them are comfortable with the idea of tiling on top and I am not convinced it will work for us.
My question is, when we strip back down to the concrete (a sound idea given that the chipboard used in the GRP installation is now sagging), what type of roof covering would you guys suggest for a high traffic roof that would be tiled over? I'm initially leaning towards asphalt or some kind of heavy liquid waterproof covering, as we would be able to dry pave with large white tiles with no additional layer of sand needed that could get washed into the drain. I'm suspicious of rubber as an option because of its tendency to tear and the fact that we won't be able to adhere anything to it.
Your thoughts are welcome - Thanks everyone!
Comments (12)
PROcarvellassociates
8 years ago
PROOnePlan
8 years agoRelated Discussions
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Comments (10)I'm usually the one who differs so here goes:- The bungalow layout isn't great. The porch on the front ( presumably a late addition ) looks fairly bad, detracts from the bungalow, prevents having a lovely entrance and more importantly blocks a direct window on bedroom 2, which has no natural light. Therefore, knock it down. This will also give you square footage allowance in hand. If you incorporate the garages into the main block of the house it allows the new bedroom space. You can build a free standing garage elsewhere on the plot, which is more than large enough, and, you already know you're not restricted to building behind the main building line. Change the garden room into a proper pitched room with insulated roof and walls, knock down the lounge wall and add bi-fold doors across the back. This now gets rid of both dated / unattractive additions. Take out the shower room and make it part of the entrance hall. The rest of the plan is pretty much self explanatory and gives you a new larger Master Bedroom with en-suite a large second bedroom and family bathroom and a further bedroom with en-suite ( for guests etc ), which used to be the main bedroom. All the plumbing should be ok, as i made use of positions already in use and back to backed the new ensuite with the old one. However, you always need to get these things checked out by a professional builder / architect,...See MoreHow to make an asphalt roof into a terrace?
Comments (6)Hi Eggnog, There is a liquid applied product called Kemperol which can be painted over existing asphalt roof finishes, and then this will give you a new roof waterproofing warranty, and can also allow paving slabs/stones to be affixed. I believe it needs a binder and a sand 'dusting' on top of the finish before the slabs are laid. One other quick point - presumably this is already a roof terrace? There may be planning implications otherwise .......See Moreflat roof balcony building control concern
Comments (1)I think we'd all need a bit more of the story. Why would they be concerned over ventilation.....................it's a balcony, so clearly there's a specific problem to be over come there. The same with water ingress. Water ingress to where? The kitchen below the flat roof, or to the wall that you will be walking out from? The kitchen is already attached to the wall, and the flat roof already exists, so what would cause the two problems above?...See MoreBalcony wall ideas
Comments (17)I love Minnie's dark wall suggestion. It definitely recedes and places the focus elsewhere. I don't think you can have too many plants out there either. More is more will give the impression of a much larger space. Just wondering, have you got room for some kind of waterproof box/storage that looks good but you can quickly out cushions, throws etc in if it rains and you don't want to bring them all into the living space?...See More
Juliet Docherty
8 years ago
PRONick Wall Design + Build
8 years agoHi - been there done that! Start again! OK I can see there is enough clearance below the door to allow a decent fall to be created if its not enough already. This can be done using pressure treated timber firings which are essentially lengths of timber cut and tapered to dimensions according to a plan such as my example below (I realise your balcony is much smaller but you should get the idea). My firrings plan and cutting list shows 3 drain points with the firrings mitred to created falls toward relevant drain. Your local timber supplier should be happy to cut these and pressure treat resulting tapered timbers which would be fixed at 300 centres max and would have 20mm min marine plywood screwed on to them at 150mm centres. OSB 3 roofing 'chipboard' which can come in tongue and groove form would also work, I just prefer ply. They need to be planned out so that the fall of the timber firrings sends any water toward the drainage channel (if there isn't one then create one) or to the edge of your balcony where the rainwater gutter will collect it. Then use RESITRIX - we used this supplier, but there are plenty out there.... http://www.rubber4roofs.co.uk/shop/epdm-rubber-roofing which is a much stro
nger version of EDPM rubber and can withstand foot traffic as it is reinforced with fabric making it almost like a wet suit - its a fantastic quality product believe me!. You paint on a black primer on to the ply, then peel the backing off the RESITRIX and apply. Be warned - as experienced people (but not exactly specialist roofers) we managed to do this very effectively, but found that extreme care is needed before committing as once the RESITRIX makes contact its sticks forever!! this is especially difficult at internal corners. Only peel back the backing plastic off the RESITRIX rubber a little at a time as you need to hold it up off the deck to ensure it doesn't make contact in wrong place. two pairs of hands can help!!If you have planned the falls correctly so that the water is sent to the drain, you will now have that long awaited water tight balcony!
Now Google 'tiles for decks and balconies' and you will find no end of options of special porcelain or ceramic tiles with plastic adjustable feet for each corner of tile which allow you to place the feet and tiles level on top of your RESITRIX flat roof with no risk of penetration pif the rubber. Water goes between the tiles as they are not grouted, just placed on the feet. Not sure if the tiles you have will work without cracking - you could test this by standing on one which is supported only at corners. by the way RESITRIX happens to be one of a range of flat roof solution I have used including Kemper liquid rubber system (which is reinforced by a fleece like fabric which is simply rolled out onto a bed of liquid rubber then soaked on top with more rubber) Messy but effective, a similar process to GRP. Have also used one piece EDPM rubber which a very competent DIY'er can fit. A very economical and speedy solution, but not good for foot traffic - although they are starting to introduce reinforced versions.
We are actually going to use slate grey plastic/wood composite decking http://www.wpc-decking.co.ukTo do this we will PLACE a new set of firrings on top of the completed rubber deck but also will stick strips of RESITRIX to underside of firings for protection. now we will have a deck that can be lifted for maintenance in future if required. These firrings are the opposite of the ones used to create the falls, which brings the deck back to level of course! In reality we will actually adjust to maintain a slight fall so that, and the gaps in the deck takes water away. A long answer - I hope that it helps! Best of luck!
Nick Wall Design + Build 07745581167
Gillian thanked Nick Wall Design + BuildGillian
8 years ago- PRO
Nick Wall Design + Build
8 years ago 
User
7 years agoHU-615563754
5 years agoHi just wondered if anyone was still looking at this I am also in Scotland and need to replace a roof terrace and a house we have just bought, which is also over an room underneath and cannot be used due to the poor condition of the roof terrace and water pooling. Did you ever get a solution to your problem - I enclose a photo of the terrace we need to replace and waterproof
Chris Goodchild
5 years ago- PRO
Nick Wall Design + Build
5 years ago
I used tile pedestals over the bonded one piece EDPM rubber roof terrace shown here. The adjustable support pedestals come in various heights and are adjustable to support the 20mm external porcelain tiles over the roof deck and will not damage the EDPM. Bit fiddly to level out / plus create slight fall on tiles first time but looks a million dollars and is a great alternative to composite decking. The tiles are not grouted and are simply supported at each corner and mid way on sides. The rainwater drains through gaps between tiles and onto the EDPM roof which has a designed-in fall to the drains at ends/corners. Personally I would shy away from a cement screed over the rubber as it possibly could delaminate and create tile bonding failure issues further down the line. A timber subframe for composite decking could also be supported by a variation of these pedestals. The fabulous balustrade system is from Balconette - I am an Approved Partner specialising in stairs and balustrades, juliet balconies etc so I can design, supply and fit. http://www.balconiesandstairs.co.uk
Neil Cheney
3 years ago
Kerry Donnelly