Newmarket Roofers covers commercial roofing in Waterbeach and the surrounding area, carrying out flat roof replacements, repairs, re-covers, leadwork and guttering on retail, office, agricultural and industrial buildings.
A leaking commercial roof is urgent, but the time between spotting the problem and getting a roofer on site is rarely zero. Whether you are waiting a few hours or a few days, what you do - and what you do not do - in that window can make a real difference to the outcome and the cost of putting things right.
We carry out commercial roofing across Waterbeach and the wider area, working back from our base in Newmarket and covering commercial properties in Cambridge, Ely, Histon, Burwell and beyond. Here is practical advice on managing a commercial roofing problem while professional help is on the way.
Commercial roofing takes in flat felt and EPDM rubber roofs on offices and retail units, profiled metal roofing on warehouses and agricultural buildings, leadwork around parapets and roof lights, box and valley guttering, and full new-build roofing. The scale is different from domestic work, and so is the impact of a failure - a leak that might cause a damp patch at home can shut a business, destroy stock or create a health and safety issue on a commercial site.
When a leak appears inside the building, the first thing to do is find where the water is coming in from inside - not where it is dripping, which is rarely directly below the entry point. Water travels along joists, purlins and deck surfaces before it drops. Work back from the wet area along the direction of any slope to find the likely entry zone.
Take photographs of the interior damage and, if safe to do so from a window or existing platform, any visible roof damage such as standing water, displaced flashings or debris build-up. These photographs are useful for the roofer's initial assessment and for any insurance discussions with your own insurer - though the roofing contractor cannot advise on your policy.
If water is actively dripping into the building, move stock, equipment and records away from the affected area immediately. Use containers to collect drips and protect any electrical equipment - water near electrics is a serious safety risk and should be treated as one. If water is tracking towards electrical fittings or distribution boards, switch off the relevant circuits and call an electrician before resuming use.
Lay down polythene sheeting to protect flooring and prevent water spreading. If the ceiling is visibly bowing or bulging with trapped water above it, that water needs to be released in a controlled way before the ceiling gives way - a small puncture in the lowest point of the bulge with a screwdriver allows the water out before it causes a sudden collapse. This is one of the few interventions that is reasonable to do yourself.
The temptation to get up on the roof and do something is understandable. In most cases, it makes the situation worse rather than better. Here is what to avoid:
In some situations, a temporary waterproof cover - sometimes called a tarpaulin or emergency roof sheet - is a reasonable short-term measure on a pitched roof. On a flat commercial roof, it is rarely effective because the lack of slope means the cover collects water rather than shedding it, adding weight and potentially blocking outlets. If a contractor suggests a temporary cover as an emergency measure, ask how it will be weighted or fixed without causing further damage to the membrane or structure.
The more information you can give when you first call, the better the roofer can assess what is needed and what to bring. Useful details include:
A commercial roofing problem should be inspected properly before any repair or replacement is quoted. A roofer who quotes from your description alone, without visiting the site, is not giving you a reliable figure.
Once the immediate emergency is managed and a proper survey has taken place, the roofer should set out the options clearly. For flat roofs, the two most common systems are torch-on felt (typically installed in three layers) and EPDM rubber membrane. Both perform well when correctly specified and installed.
Commercial flat roof repairs typically cost from £150 to £600 for straightforward single-point failures, rising with access requirements and the extent of any deck damage. Full replacement for a commercial flat roof runs from around £70 to £140 per square metre depending on the system, insulation and the complexity of drainage and upstand detailing. These are indicative UK figures and vary by site.
A large number of commercial roof leaks trace back to drainage failure rather than a failed membrane. Box gutters, valley gutters and flat roof outlets that are blocked or have failed joints send water into the building just as effectively as a split membrane. Ask the roofer to assess the drainage system as part of their survey - not as a separate job.
Downpipes on commercial buildings are also worth checking during a heavy rain event. If a downpipe is discharging water at ground level rather than into a drain, there may be a blocked outlet or a joint failure further up the system that is forcing water back towards the building.
We work on commercial roofs across Waterbeach and the surrounding area from our base in Newmarket, covering commercial properties in Cambridge, Ely, Histon, Burwell and beyond. If your commercial roof is leaking or you have spotted damage that needs attention, call us to arrange a proper survey and get a clear picture of what is needed before committing to any work.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
