When water pools for longer periods of time it can indicate a serious problem.
Ponding wter on roof.
This is a particular concern for older built up and modified roofs.
One of the biggest problems with large flat roofs is that they tend to pond water in certain areas.
However when your flat roof has uneven areas due to sagging an insufficient slope or drainage issues the ponding water doesn t dissipate.
This can be done professionally or by homeowners who have access to a ladder and a power washer or a hose with.
Collecting dark colored.
Ice formations develop and move constantly with changes in temperature.
On a performing flat roof ponding water is not a problem as it will drain or even evaporate away.
Degrading the roofing material itself.
Take the drains you already have and widen them add more drains to what you already have use a sloping material to take the standing water and redirect it towards the drain in the back corner.
Damage to the roof surface.
If this water sits on the roof for more than 48 hours after the rain has stopped it can cause considerable damage to whatever roof surface you have.
Every roof needs positive drainage which means water should flow off the roof within 48 hours.
Deformation of the deck structure.
After any rainfall lands on a flat roof water will begin to pool.
Ponding water might not be an immediate threat but if it is allowed to persist over time that water can begin to wear on the roofing membrane.
Ponding water can substantially increase the load on roof decks.
Ponding water accelerates roof system aging by.
What do you need to do.
However excessive ponding threatens your roof.
Ponding water is known in the roofing community as water that stands in a puddle on the roof for more than 48 hours at a time.
How to fix ponding on a flat roof depends on the cause of the ponding.
Determining the root cause of ponding water regardless of the formula roof coatings should never be an excuse to ignore ponding water issues.
On modern white roofs the water focuses the sunlight that passes through it like a prism.
So if your flat roof is collecting water that doesn t drain or evaporate within 48 hours you will need to fix it.
Flat roofs by their very nature will collect some water when it rains.
The ponding or standing water can.
If water is backing onto the roof clean out the gutters to restore proper water flow.
Reduce the longevity of the roof increase exposure of the ponding area to damaging ultraviolet rays collect dirt lead to faster deterioration of the roof s coatings and materials encourage growth of vegetation such as moss algae and plants lead to a leaking.