Construction & Contractors Blog
The drain outlets on a flat roof are important because they can prevent ponding from occurring. Ponding refers to a lot of water sitting in one area of the roof, which can lead to damage being done. In this article, you will learn about flat roof ponding and how to prevent it from causing damage.
What is Ponding on a Flat Roof?
The surface of a flat roof is actually slightly elevated, as it is needed to send water flowing into the drain outlets. However, the water will have nowhere to go if the drains are clogged up with debris. When the water remains sitting on the roof for a long time, ponding takes place.
When you live in an area that does not receive an ample amount of sunshine, the ponding water can take a long time to evaporate. Your roof will continue to accumulate when it rains. Ponding is especially harmful to a metal roof because the weight from the ponding water can lead to the metal dipping down.
How Can Ponding on a Flat Roof be Prevented?
To prevent ponding from occurring on a flat roof, you should have it inspected at least twice per year to make sure the drain outlets are in a good condition. One of the things that can interfere with the drain outlet is an accumulation of trash or leaves in them. The debris should be removed each time the roof is inspected.
You don't have to wait for a professional to inspect the drains for you. All you have to do is climb a ladder and take a trowel up with you. Use the trowel to scoop the leaves out, and it can be used for removing trash as well.
The best way to prevent having to climb up and clean the drains is to prevent leaves from falling on your roof. It is a good idea to hire a tree specialist to trim them if they are close to the roof. You can also get them cut down to permanently get rid of the problem.
Never allow water to sit on the roof for a long period of time if you want your flat roof to last. Ponding should be prevented at all costs, even if it means that you have to get trees hanging over the roof cut down. The drains must be free of debris for water to flow off of the roof. If you want to learn more, try taking your questions to a company like Allendorfer Roofing for more help.
Share16 September 2014
My name is Debbie Greenberg. I’m a single woman who owns her home, and like most homeowners I dread home repairs. I’m not very handy with do-it-yourself projects around the house. I can do a few minor repairs when necessary, but for the most part I have to call in a professional. Last year I had a leak in my roof. When it rained, water would leak into my kitchen. What appeared to be a simple fix turned out to be anything but simple. It took over four months to finally identify the problem, and double the money I was initially quoted to fix it. The problem ended up being that the flat part of my roof didn't have shingles, but a sheeting material. I learned a bit about home roofs along the way, and that is what I want to share with you.
