Fakenham Roofers handles commercial roofing projects in Holt, from initial inspection through to completed installation and site clean-up, working on offices, retail units, warehouses and farm buildings.
Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
Most building owners have a reasonable idea of what a roof replacement involves in outline, but the detail matters - particularly on a commercial site where the work has to fit around business operations. This page explains the full sequence of a commercial roofing job, from the first visit through to handover, so you know what to expect at each stage.
Before any price is given or material is ordered, a proper inspection of the existing roof is needed. This is not a glance from ground level - it means getting onto the roof and checking the surface condition, the drainage, the flashings, the upstands, the parapet or edge details, and the condition of the deck or structural sheeting beneath.
On flat roofs, the deck matters as much as the covering. A saturated or delaminated deck cannot simply be covered over - the new membrane will not bond correctly and the structural integrity may be compromised. Tapping across the deck surface can reveal hollow or soft areas even where the covering looks intact on the surface. On metal sheet roofs, the inspection includes the fixings, the purlins they are fixed to, and the condition of any insulation or liner.
A good inspection will also look at the drainage layout. Where are the outlets, are they at the lowest points of the roof, and are they clear? Many flat roof problems stem directly from drainage that was poorly designed or has become blocked over years of use.
Once the inspection is complete, the scope of work is set out clearly: what is being replaced or repaired, what system is being used, whether the deck needs any remedial work before the new covering goes on, how drainage will be handled, and what happens at edges and abutments. Any areas of uncertainty - for example, deck condition that can only be confirmed once the old covering is stripped - should be flagged at this stage rather than discovered mid-job.
On a commercial site, access and programme also need to be discussed. Are there loading bay doors, ventilation intakes or rooflight access points that need to remain operational during the work? Does the work need to be phased so parts of the building stay weathertight while other sections are open? These conversations are easier before the job starts than during it.
Commercial roofing requires more set-up than domestic work. Scaffolding or a mobile elevated work platform may be needed, and on larger sites a materials hoist or crane lift is often used to get sheet or membrane up to roof level without manual handling over long distances. Edge protection must be in place before any work begins at height.
If the building is operational, the set-up needs to be organised so customer or staff access is not blocked and emergency exits remain clear. On smaller commercial properties in Holt this is often straightforward, but it is worth talking through in advance.
On a full replacement rather than an over-roofing job, the existing covering is stripped back to the deck. This is the stage where the actual condition of the structure is confirmed. Any areas of deck that are damaged, saturated or structurally inadequate are replaced or repaired before the new system goes on. Skipping this step and covering over damaged deck is a false economy - the problem will reappear through the new roof within a few years.
Deck preparation also includes making sure the falls are correct. A flat roof needs a fall of at least 1:80 to drain properly - steeper if drainage points are widely spaced. If the original falls were inadequate, tapered insulation or a screed can be used to create positive drainage before the membrane goes on.
The installation method depends on the system specified. For torch-on felt, the base layer is mechanically fixed and the cap sheet heat-bonded, with particular attention to laps, upstands and any penetrations through the roof surface. For single-ply membrane, the sheet is rolled out and fixed or adhered to the deck, with seams heat-welded or bonded and all edges and penetrations carefully detailed. For profiled metal sheet, new sheets are fixed to the purlin structure with the correct fixings and washers, and ridge and eaves flashings are installed to complete the weathertight envelope.
On all systems, penetrations deserve particular care. Every pipe, flue, rooflight kerb or HVAC base that passes through the roof surface is a potential leak point. The membrane or flashing collar must be taken up and dressed correctly around each one. This is an area where shortcuts have consequences.
Drainage outlets are fitted or refitted at this stage. On flat roofs, a proper sump outlet recessed below the general roof level helps ensure water reaches the drain even if the surface is not perfectly level. Overflow outlets are also worth incorporating on any flat roof where a blocked primary drain could cause ponding to a dangerous depth.
Flashings seal the junction between the roof covering and any vertical surface - a parapet wall, a wall abutment, a chimney or a raised plant base. These are made from lead, aluminium or a compatible flashing membrane depending on the system. On commercial roofs, lead flashing is common at abutments and is stepped into the mortar joints of masonry walls using lead wedges and pointed up with an appropriate sealant.
Edge trim or coping stones finish the perimeter. On flat roofs, a continuous metal edge trim is often used to cap the membrane at the perimeter and direct water into the gutter rather than allowing it to track back under the covering.
Commercial roofing generates significant waste - old felt, insulation, sheet offcuts and packaging. All of this should leave the site before the job is signed off. Any penetrations that were temporarily sealed during the work should be restored to their proper state, drainage should be confirmed as clear and flowing, and the finished roof should be walked to check there are no loose details, open seams or areas that have been missed.
At handover, it is reasonable to ask for confirmation of what system was installed, what maintenance it needs and how future repairs should be approached. Keeping that information is useful if the building changes hands or a different contractor carries out maintenance work in future.
Fakenham Roofers carries out commercial roofing work in Holt and across north Norfolk, covering the full sequence from inspection through to completed installation. If you have a commercial roof that needs attention, call us to arrange an initial inspection and we will give you a clear picture of the work involved and what it will cost.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
