Further reading for this work
Compare the relevant considerations before arranging your quote.
Why garage roofs fail first
Garages are often the poor relation of the house. Many were built with a single layer of felt on chipboard, or with corrugated sheets, and then left alone for decades. Because nobody lives underneath, a slow drip can go unnoticed until the deck sags, boxes are soaked or the joists start to rot.
Attached garages bring a second problem: the join with the house wall. If the flashing there has failed, water can track into the house as well as the garage.
Garage roof repair or replacement?
If the damage is limited to a split, a lifted edge or a tired wall flashing, a garage roof repair may be all you need, and our flat roof repairs page explains how we tackle those. When the deck is spongy, the felt is cracked all over, or water has been getting in for years, replacement is the sensible route.
A typical replacement removes the old covering, replaces any rotten joists or boards, adds a fall towards the gutter if the old roof was dead flat, and finishes with new trims. We then cover it in EPDM rubber or GRP fibreglass, depending on the shape, use and your preference.
Asbestos: check before any work starts
Some older garage roofs, particularly corrugated sheet roofs from before 2000, can contain asbestos cement. It is generally safe if left undisturbed, but cutting, drilling, breaking or pressure washing it can release fibres.
If there is any chance your garage roof contains asbestos, it should be sampled and tested before work begins, and removal should be carried out by appropriately licensed or trained asbestos specialists in line with HSE guidance. Lee will flag it if he suspects it, and the roofing work is planned around that removal.
Getting a local garage roof replacement quote
We are based in Witham and cover Essex and the Essex side of London's outskirts. When Lee visits, he looks at the roof from above and below, checks the timbers and the wall junction, and talks through the options. You then receive a written quote setting out the materials, any timber work and what is included.
Things that affect the price include the size of the roof, the state of the joists and deck, whether an old covering needs special disposal, access from the road or garden, and whether you want insulation added if the garage is used as a workshop or gym.
Garage leak repair while you wait
If your garage roof is leaking now, move stored items off the floor and away from the drip, keep clear of any wet electrics and call Lee on 07947 758052. Active leaks are prioritised within working hours.
Using the garage after the new roof
A replacement is a good moment to think about how you use the space. If the garage has become a workshop, home gym or storage for things that must stay dry, insulation and a roof light can make it far more usable. If it is attached to the house, we pay close attention to the wall flashing so the new roof seals properly against the brickwork. Gutters and downpipes are checked too, so rainwater leaves the roof and goes where it should.