How To Drain Flat Roofs

Drainage ditches are created in the roof in the lower insulated areas.

How to drain flat roofs.

Increasing the angle of a flat roof will always increase the speed of water movement across the surface. Challenges the drains must allow a large volume of water equal to the square footage of your roof times the number of inches of rain to drain quickly. Along with the benefits of a flat roof come unique challenges. The one challenge with flat roofing is ensuring proper drainage.

The best type for the application depends on several factors such as the size and slope of the roof the desired appearance and how much regular maintenance the drain system might need. Poor drainage can lead to serious issues with flat roofing from leaks to structural damage. Roof drains for flat or low slope roofs come in a few standard types. Ensure your drains are the lowest points on your flat roof and you can avoid water infiltration and subsequent flat roof repair.

These ditches guide water toward the eavestroughs. A rooftop garden or additional outside living space are the top reasons people choose flat roofs. Ponding water on flat roofs reduces the roof s lifespan. This drainage system allows minimal numbers of outlets and all the drains are connected to one single leader pipe.

There are several drainage options to repair pooling or ponding water on flat roofs including internal drains gutters and downspouts scuppers and roof leveling compounds. Unlike other roofing types that are slanted or sloped to allow water to drain automatically flat roofs need a built in drainage system to help remove moisture and debris. The most critical of these issues is the flat roof drainage systems. One of the most overlooked items on a flat roof is the draining system.

Your building and location can help determine which drain will fit your roof needs. A siphonic roof drainage system helps pass water faster than other roof drainage systems and is commonly used for flat roofs. The greenslope roof ponding repair kit provides a lightweight inexpensive solution to flat roof ponding. Flat roof drains scuppers gutters and drainage systems on flat roofs.

More attention should be given to the location of a drainage system to avoid future problems. For a large roof it is recommended to have drains placed at multiple locations within the area of the roof.