Although a flat roof has several advantages, the most obvious drawback is water pooling. The natural slope that pitched roofs have allows water to simply run down and drain the roof; flat roofs do not have this slope.
Standing water is another name for water buildup that remains in a puddle on the roof for longer than forty-eight hours at a time.
This is not a problem for your flat roof right away, but if it continues over time, it can start to wear down the roofing membrane, shorten its lifespan, lead to leaks, and cause other serious issues for your property.
However, there are several approaches you may take to fix standing water problems on your flat roof. Follow these recommendations to deal with standing water before it becomes an issue.
Flush Current Drains
The drains on industrial roofs are susceptible to clogging with debris, just like the drains in your shower or sink. Clogs may eventually cause standing water to accumulate on the roof if they are not addressed.
Remove sticks, leaves, and other rooftop debris from your building’s drainage system to prevent buildup. Alternatively, you can let experts handle it.
Switch Out the Membrane
Your flat roof’s membrane is the barrier that protects your roof and building from moisture. It can be worthwhile to replace the roof’s complete membrane if the membrane is damaged by standing water.
Having a more reliable membrane installed might give you peace of mind because many membranes can only handle limited standing water.
Adjust Low Spots
Although they are given that name, flat roofs aren’t necessarily perfectly flat. Subtle slopes on the surface are frequently caused by the installation procedure, weak points in the roof, or precipitation and debris.
The problem is that these low locations make it simple for water to collect and form ponds.
Pitch the Roof Again
Even a small amount of slope is required for all roofs. Your roof might have trouble preventing standing water if the pitch was improperly constructed or designed.
Water cannot drain properly if there is not enough slope, which may cause more pooling on your roof. Re-pitching your roof can be expensive, but it may be a required investment to increase the lifespan of your flat roof and guard against internal structure damage.
Address Compressed Insulation
Compressed insulation is another major factor in standing water on flat commercial roofs. It frequently results from large roofing tools resting on the insulation while being installed. Walking over the roof area repeatedly may also leave indentations that collect water and cause standing areas.
Increase the Number of Drain Lines
Adding more drains is a good solution if the drainage system that is currently in place cannot handle the amount of water that is on your flat roof. Your flat roof could need those extra drains, particularly in regions with a lot of precipitation, to adequately evacuate the water from the roof.
Put Roof Crickets In
Roof crickets are ridged constructions used to direct precipitation and snowmelt around roofing obstacles like chimneys and vents. Installing roof crickets can help combat the issue of water ponding around chimneys and large vents because of their positioning and design.
Conclusion
It’s important to make sure that your roof is in good condition. Missing or damaged shingles can cause water to pool in certain areas of the roof, so you must conduct routine inspections and repairs to maintain the condition of your roof.
By following these tips, you can help to prevent standing water from accumulating on your roof and causing damage. Regular maintenance is key to keeping your roof in good condition and preventing the buildup of standing water.
You can trust Wilderness Roofing for services like roof replacement in Saskatoon. We supply and install 5″ seamless eavestroughs, Soffit and Fascia, blown insulation, vinyl, Hardie Siding, and more. Contact us today to learn more.