How do you fix/patch a ceiling leak.. which happens only during heavy rainstorm?

Question

Whenever the rain pours heavily, there is a leak buildup in the center of the ceiling. The flat wooden roof is covered in tar and we can't isolate the problem. Are there any good roof repair/leak sealing products, and are they easy to apply?

Answer 1

Flat roofs are notoriously bad for leaks and because they are usually coated in bitumastic products such as felt and tar they have a limited life.

If your roof coveing has been there for more than about 10 years it may be that the whole roof needs refelting.

Leaks can be hard to trace, sometimes the water penetrates from point A but runs along the roof or roof timbers and leaks through at point B and a close inspection of the entire roof covering may be needed.

Generally though, if a flat roof springs one leak it won't be long before another then another start appearing.

It may cost more in the short term to recover the whole roof but it will save in the long term.

Best option - get a specialist to look at it, it may be nothing more than poor workmanship or a minor fault that can be easily rectified.

Builders are experts at making a minor task into a major issue, if you're told the whole lot needs replacing then get at least 2 other reputable companies to have a look before going ahead with the work.

Answer 2

Did you try recoating the roof with tar or tar base product like for mobile homes? You may have to get up there and check for bad boards and please be careful. You apply roof coating with a good push broom applicator and it takes about an hour or two.