Water Drainage On Flat Roof

Of course the best designed flat roof has the correct amount of pitch to drain the water off naturally.

Water drainage on flat roof.

After 48 hours following a rain any roof which still has standing water is known as a ponding roof. Inner drains are resistant to freezing but can require careful maintenance to prevent problems. Drainage ditches are created in the roof in the lower insulated areas. There are three types of drain systems commonly used on flat roofs.

You can take care of minor foundation drainage problems by making sure the soil slopes away from the house. These drains are like the drain at the bottom of your shower except that the roof drain has a larger strainer to protect it from debris. For flat roof drainage where you place your drains scuppers and the final material of the roofing is more important. Drainage options for ponding water on flat roofs no roof should be entirely flat but rather should slope either toward the perimeter or toward an interior drainage system.

Scuppers are the most effective drainage solution for flat roofs. The main benefit of inner drains is that the system is hidden from view. These ditches guide water toward the eavestroughs. Inner roof drains are used on flat roofs and include a low section or channel that collects water and feeds it into a concealed drain that leads to an underground drainage system.

Often there s a slope approaching the house a depression in the yard that causes pooling or excess roof water draining next to the foundation. The angle is not significant enough to prevent water from pooling on the surface. Still the function of the two drains is the same. With this system large square openings are made along the edge of the roof that shoot the water away from the side of the building.

To keep damage like leaks from occurring water should not stand on a flat roof for more than 48 hours. Ensure your drains are the lowest points on your flat roof and you can avoid water infiltration and subsequent flat roof repair. An efficient low slope roof drainage system works entirely by gravity because water always seeks the lowest level. Although not commonly used anymore the eavestrough drainage system is a good option if you have an older large industrial or commercial flat roof.

There are roof coating products available if there isn t enough slant or slope to accomplish this.