Flat Roofs And Rain

There must be some momentum for the water to move into the flat roof drainage system.

Flat roofs and rain.

All roofs must be slightly sloped to allow for proper drainage. A rooftop garden or additional outside living space are the top reasons people choose flat roofs. But it is possible to. This causes water to stand which can cause major problems.

Calling this type of structure flat is a bit of a misnomer because no roof is ever really flat. They are ideal for climates that don t experience large quantities of rain and moisture. Excessive rain heavy snow and built up ice all pose extra challenges for flat roofed homes. Flat roofs have unique architectural characteristics that make them desirable in many situations.

While not frequent per se the low slope of a flat roof does make it more prone to certain problems particularly when it interacts with the elements. If high winds are the cause of roof damage always wait until the winds subside before doing any work. The risk of rain although called a flat roof a flat roof is actually very slightly pitched meaning that rain is able to drain away. The slope should be a minimum of 1 in 80 but in practice a minimum slope of 1 to 40 should be used to allow for deflection of the roof and for normal building tolerances.

Flat roofs must be slightly sloped towards the middle or the edges to allow water to drain properly. Once water is able to penetrate the roofing membrane it will soak any decking and insulation. However over time poorer quality roofs can weaken over time. A more appropriate name is low slope roof.

Flat roofs operate with the same basic principle but of course their lower angles mean that gravity isn t quite as effective in shedding water rapidly. Along with the benefits of a flat roof come unique challenges. Unfortunately there is no way for water to naturally drain away from flat roofs because they are flat. Of course this is a con.

A light rain or drizzle for example remain remain on a flat roof for a short period of time. The second disadvantage is the lack of roofing material options. Flat roofs and rain it seems go hand in hand. Across wide expanses of low slope roofing natural deflection in steel or wood supporting pieces within the roof deck can cause ponding.

High winds and heavy rain can damage a flat roof or cause it to leak. Therefore water has a tendency to puddle and remain on the roof which could lead to the roofing material breaking down or to eventual leaks particularly along the seams.