How do I find where my shed roof is leaking?

On a dry day, go inside with a torch and look for staining, damp patches or daylight showing through. Mark the spots, then inspect the felt above from outside. Remember that water can travel along timbers before dripping, so the entry point may be higher up.

How long does shed roofing felt last in Scotland?

Standard mineral felt typically lasts 5-10 years in Scotland's climate. Heavy-duty felt lasts 10-15 years. EPDM rubber membrane lasts 25+ years and is our recommended upgrade for any shed reroof.

Can I refelt my shed roof myself?

Small patches are a reasonable DIY job. A full refelt is best done professionally to ensure proper laps, sealed edges and adequate tension. Poor DIY felting is one of the most common causes of persistent leaks.

Can sheds withstand Scottish winters?

Yes, our sheds are specifically built for Scottish winters using pressure treated timber, reinforced roofing felt, and galvanised fixings. Proper base preparation prevents frost heave, and our apex designs shed snow effectively. Our 10-year guarantee covers structural integrity through every season.

How do I stop my shed leaking in heavy rain?

Ensure your shed has quality heavy-duty roofing felt, properly overlapping panels, and sealed windows and doors. Check felt annually for splits, especially after storms. Our sheds use mineral felt as standard with an option to upgrade to EPDM rubber roofing for lifetime waterproofing.

Will high winds damage my shed in Edinburgh?

Unsecured or lightweight sheds can be damaged by Edinburgh's winds, particularly in exposed areas like Corstorphine Hill, the coast near Musselburgh, or elevated spots in Penicuik. We bolt every shed to its base and use storm braces in exposed locations for added security.

How do I prevent condensation in my shed?

Condensation forms when warm moist air meets cold shed walls. Improve ventilation with roof or wall vents, avoid storing damp items, and consider insulation to regulate temperature. In Scotland's climate, good airflow is the single most important factor in preventing condensation.

Common Problem

Shed Roof Leaking

Edinburgh receives over 700mm of rainfall annually, plus driving wind that pushes water into gaps that would stay dry in calmer climates. Shed roofs take the full force of this weather year after year..

Area served: Edinburgh, Lothians, Fife & Falkirk

A leaking shed roof can destroy stored items and accelerate structural decay. In Edinburgh's wet climate, even a small leak gets worse fast. Here's how to find the source and fix it permanently.

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Understanding the Problem

Leaks often start small — a single drip during heavy rain — but the water is rarely entering where the drip appears. It can travel along purlins and rafters before dropping onto your stored items, making the source difficult to identify from inside.

The most common leak sources are degraded felt, failed felt joints, lifted felt edges, and gaps where the roof meets the walls. All are fixable, and in most cases we can repair rather than replace the entire roof.

Common Causes

Degraded Roofing Felt

Standard mineral felt has a lifespan of 5-10 years. UV exposure, frost cycles and wind gradually crack and thin the material until it becomes porous.

Failed Felt Laps

Where felt sheets overlap, the bond can fail over time, allowing water to wick between layers and drip through to the panels below.

Wind-Lifted Felt

Scottish winds lift the edges of felt, breaking the seal with the fascia boards. Once lifted, rain drives underneath.

Missing or Cracked Flashing

Where the roof meets walls, fences or other structures, flashing prevents water ingress. Cracked or missing flashing is a common leak source.

Nail Holes & Fixings

Over time, felt can tear around nail heads due to thermal expansion and wind movement, creating pinhole leaks.

Ponding Water

On flat or low-pitch pent roofs, water can pool if the fall is insufficient. Standing water eventually penetrates any felt.

Our Solutions

Felt Patching

Small areas of damaged felt can be patched with self-adhesive repair tape or bitumen patches as a temporary fix.

Complete Refelting

We strip the old felt and apply heavy-duty mineral felt with proper laps, sealed edges and adequate overhang for long-lasting weatherproofing.

Shed Repairs →

EPDM Rubber Membrane

For a permanent solution, EPDM rubber roofing lasts 25+ years, is fully waterproof, and handles Scottish temperature extremes without cracking.

Improved Roof Pitch

For flat-roofed sheds that suffer ponding, we can add firring strips to increase the fall and ensure positive drainage.

Flashing Replacement

We install lead or self-adhesive flashing at all roof junctions to seal vulnerable joints permanently.

Roof Panel Replacement

If water has damaged the roof panels underneath, we replace them with treated timber before re-covering.

Heavy Duty Sheds →

Base & Foundation Guidance

While the base doesn't directly cause roof leaks, a level base ensures the shed frame is square and the roof panels sit flat. An unlevel base can cause slight twisting that opens gaps at the roof-to-wall junction.

Good drainage around the base also prevents water splashing up onto the lower walls, which can wick upward to the eaves and mimic a roof leak.

When replacing a shed due to persistent roof problems, take the opportunity to upgrade to a concrete base for the most stable, level foundation.

Read Our Base Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

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