Common Causes of Water Ponding on Flat Roofs

Flat roofs, a popular choice for many homes offer numerous advantages. However, they present unique challenges, and one of the common issues they grapple with is water ponding. This issue can lead to severe consequences if not addressed promptly, ranging from roof damage to potential health hazards.

Understanding the causes of water ponding is your first step toward maintaining a healthy, water-free flat roof. Let's delve into the most common causes of water ponding on flat roofs.

Age

A building's roof can shift and even change shape over time due to the natural settling of a structure's foundation. This settling is a prevalent problem in both older and modern buildings since it is nearly impossible for builders to predict.

Age causes sagging in buildings because of roof and foundation erosion and shifting. This can lead to a ponding effect when water collects in a corner of the roof. Particularly at risk are buildings that have heavy air conditioning (A/C) units, which can lead to localized buckling on the roof over time.

Poor Design and Installation

Water will collect in low areas of a flat roof if the roof is not properly sloped so that it can drain to the proper locations. Furthermore, flat roofs should not be completely level. They need to have a modest incline so that water can flow downhill and into the drains.

Having a roof with even a small pitch helps prevent water from pooling and causing structural and material damage.

Poor installation is another problem area for flat roofs. Any change, no matter how minor, can affect the roof's performance adversely. For instance, water will gather and stagnate if the slope is inconsistent or slopes away from the prescribed drains, which greatly increases the danger of damage. Establishing the right slope and avoiding water ponding calls for expert evaluation and adjustment.

Compressed Insulation

Insulation is an essential part of a functional roofing system since it serves to retain both heat during the winter months and chilly air during the warmer months. Most flat roofs include multiple layers of insulation beneath the rubber membrane for efficient temperature regulation.

Insulation, being flexible, can get compacted over time. The weight of people walking on the roof or of things kept there frequently causes this. This is a typical issue in Boston because of the city's scorching summers and frigid winters. As a result, the once-even finish on the roof may become uneven with regions that have sunken insulation.

This topographical irregularity provides ideal conditions for water accumulation, particularly after prolonged periods of rainfall. Water has a harder time evaporating in the low areas because gravity helps it to collect there. If not fixed, water will pool there and eat away at the roof and the structure itself.

Drainage Issues

A flat or exceptionally low-slope roof requires proper drainage in order to remain dry after rain. Thus, the roof should have a system setup that enables water to flow off the roofing efficiently.

However, clogged or sluggish flat roof drains are a regular problem that might emerge. This can happen if the drains in your roof become clogged with dirt, leaves, and other such things, preventing water from flowing freely. Sometimes, siphonic drains are needed on flat roofs to efficiently remove water.

The joint where the two types of roofs meet is another frequent source of trouble. Improper installation of this connection might lead to drainage problems and ponding. Unlike on commercial structures, homeowners tend to overlook the importance of this link when designing their roofs.

Apart from blocked drains, a lack of appropriate drainage may lead to water ponding on flat roofs. Due to this, ponding can occur even if there are drains or gutters installed because water cannot move away from the roof.

Contact us at Flat Roofing Experts for flat roofing repairs and maintenance in Albuquerque, NM, and surrounding regions.