A worn felt layer is the most common reason a roof leaks. We re-felt and waterproof flat and pitched roofs with directly employed roofers. Free survey, written fixed-price quote within 48 hours.
Re-felting means taking off the worn waterproof layer of a roof and putting a new one down. What that layer is depends on the roof. On a flat roof it is the felt or membrane itself, the whole waterproof skin. On a pitched roof it is the underlay under the slates or tiles, which catches the water that gets past them and carries it to the gutter. When either one fails, the roof leaks, even if the covering on top looks fine.
Old built-up felt on a flat roof usually fails at the seams, at the upstands and where water ponds. We can re-felt in torch-on felt where it suits the roof and the budget, but on most extensions, garages and dormers we recommend EPDM rubber or GRP fibreglass, which have far fewer joints and last longer. We tell you the honest difference at the survey and price the options side by side. See our flat roofing service for the full systems.
Houses built before the 1990s often have old bitumen felt under the tiles that has gone brittle and torn. It cannot be replaced from outside without lifting the covering. We strip the tiles or slates in sections, lay a new breathable membrane, fit new treated battens, then fix the covering back, replacing any that are broken. It costs less than a full re-roof because the good tiles or slates are reused. Where the covering is also worn out, a new roof is the better spend, and we say so.
Most re-felted roofs that fail again fail at the details, not the sheet: the upstand against a wall, the flashing at a chimney, the outlet, the edge trim. Every job includes new details, not patches over old ones. If the problem is only a small area, a roof repair may be all you need, and we will not sell you more than that.
Read next: Flat roof re-felting cost in Ireland and Roof underlay replacement cost in Ireland.
A concrete tile roof with moss growthIndicative 2026 ranges — your quote is confirmed free after an on-site survey. VAT at 13.5% applies to residential work.
| Service | Price Range (2026) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Flat roof leak repair (patch, blister or split seam) | €350–€900 | Same day / 1 day |
| Flat roof overlay, new membrane over sound old felt (up to 20m²) | €1,800–€5,000 | 1–2 days |
| Torch-on felt re-felt, strip and replace (up to 20m²) | €1,500–€4,000 | 1–2 days |
| EPDM rubber re-cover, domestic extension (up to 20m²) | €2,500–€5,500 | 1–2 days |
| GRP fibreglass re-cover, extension, garage or balcony | €2,800–€6,000 | 1–2 days |
| Roof repair and re-felt of one section of a pitched roof | €1,800–€3,800 | 1–3 days |
| Pitched roof re-felt, three-bed semi, tiles reused | €4,000–€11,000 | 4–6 days |
| Pitched roof re-felt, three-bed semi, natural slate reused | €9,000–€16,000 | 6–9 days |
| Rotten roof deck replaced (extra, per m²) | €30–€50 per m² | Added to the job |
Indicative 2026 prices for supply and fit, including the new felt or membrane, battens where fitted, flashings and waste removal, with VAT at 13.5% on top. Flat roof figures are our published ranges. The section re-felt range comes from our own recent quotes. The whole-roof figures are guide prices that depend on roof size, pitch and how many tiles or slates are broken, and are confirmed in writing at the survey. Scaffold, where needed, is quoted separately and Dublin typically runs 10 to 15 percent higher because of access.
We maintain and replace roofs for Bank of Ireland branch buildings throughout Munster — a contract that required pre-qualification on insurance, safety systems, quality management and financial standing. Clare County Council selected us through public procurement for public building maintenance roofing works. Midleton College engaged us for heritage campus re-roofing. These clients apply due diligence standards that validate our capability for any project.
Recommended Roofing is registered with the Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) — the government-backed register that verifies competence, insurance and compliance. CIRI registration is the most reliable independent verification available in the Irish roofing market. We also maintain active membership of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) and the Cork Chamber of Commerce.
Our Firestone Approved Installer status is verified annually through training audits and installation quality reviews — not a one-off accreditation. This is a condition of the 20-year Firestone manufacturer warranty on every EPDM and TPO installation we complete. We are also Tegral Certified for their Irish-manufactured slate and fibre-cement range. These accreditations are issued by manufacturers, not self-declared.
We carry €6.5 million combined public and employer's liability insurance through Zurich Insurance, meeting the minimum requirements of all major facility managers, local authorities and financial institutions. VAT registered (IE4415315DH), Company Registration 782157. Safe Pass, Manual Handling, Working at Heights and CSCS certified crews. Full PSCS capability on all commercial projects. Every credential is verifiable.
A modern torch-on felt system is laid in two layers: a base sheet and a mineral cap sheet, welded together with a gas torch so the seams fuse. Done properly it gives 15 to 20 years on a flat roof. It is a sensible choice for a small roof with lots of corners, or where the budget is tight.
The weak points are the joints and the detailing. We cut out the old felt, check the deck, and form every upstand and edge in the same job. We do not lay new felt over a wet or rotten deck.
EPDM is a single sheet of rubber that spans the whole roof, so there are no seams across the middle where water can get in. It is flexible in cold weather, copes with the movement of an extension, and lasts 25 to 35 years. We are Firestone Approved Installers, which is what allows the manufacturer warranty on top of ours.
GRP is fibreglass laid in resin to form one hard, seamless, waterproof shell. It is a strong choice where the roof is walked on, such as a balcony, or where the shape is awkward. It lasts 25 to 30 years. It needs a dry, sound deck and is laid in dry weather.
If water is getting in around the ridge, the eaves or between slates and the roof space is damp, the underlay is the usual cause. We strip the covering in stages so the house is never left open, lay a new breathable membrane, fit treated battens, and fix the covering back. Broken tiles and slates are replaced. A breathable membrane lets the roof space dry out, which cuts condensation and attic mould.
A new sheet with old details is a short-lived repair. Wall upstands, chimney flashings, roof lights, outlets and edge trims are rebuilt as part of the job. We also check the gutter and downpipe, because a flat roof that cannot drain will pond, and ponding is what wears a membrane out.
If the leak has soaked the deck or the timber beneath, new felt will not hold. We check for soft boards, replace what is rotten, and correct the fall so water runs to the outlet. This is priced once the roof is opened and shown to you with photographs before we go ahead.
The same structured approach on every job — no shortcuts.
A qualified roofer inspects the roof and the ceiling below, finds where the water is getting in and tells you whether re-felting, a repair or a new roof is the right call.
A written fixed price within 48 hours, with the options priced side by side where there is a choice, so you know the full cost before we start.
The old felt, membrane or underlay is taken off, the deck and battens are checked, and anything rotten is replaced.
The new felt, membrane or breathable underlay goes down, with new flashings, upstands, trims and outlets, and the covering is fixed back on pitched roofs.
Everything is checked, the site is cleared and you get your written guarantee.
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5.0 from 20+ Google reviews
Highly recommended. Great knowledge and craftsmanship — attention to detail at its best. The team replaced our gutters and fascia and cemented the concrete. Spotless work.
Professional from quote to completion. Fully insured, on time, and the 10-year guarantee gave us real peace of mind on a full roof replacement.
We trust Recommended Roofing across our buildings — reliable, accountable and they understand commercial and heritage work.
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