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    Is Standing Water a Common Issue for Flat Roofs?


    Puddling Water

    The Poole Flat Roofing team has put together this helpful guide for homeowners who are interested in knowing the damage puddling water can do to your home’s roof.

    Once water collects on a roof, it typically gets cleared via drains or evaporation. When that doesn’t happen, it turns into standing water, also known as ‘ponding’, and can cause a wide range of issues.

    You might wonder, is this a common occurrence on flat roofs? The simple answer is yes, it is a common issue. While measures can easily be put into place to prevent ponding, it is more likely to occur on a flat roof due to the absence of sloping. Without that benefit of gravity, water is more likely to stay in one place. Other reasons for standing water on a flat roof include:

    • Obstructed drainage systems on the roof.
    • The roof structure isn’t designed well enough – the placement of gutters and drains matters.
    • The roof insulation has degraded.
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    What Issues Does Standing Water Cause?

    Water sticking around for a few hours generally isn’t an issue. Once the water has been there for over forty-eight hours, however, it becomes a problem that can cause real damage to the roof. Ponding might lead to:

    • Leaks
    • A sagging roof
    • The deterioration of roof materials
    • Unwanted moss and plant growth

    All of these issues must be avoided if you want a long-lasting, durable roof that keeps your home or commercial building free from water leaks.

     

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    Clear Gutters Regularly

    One of the most common causes of ponding is clogged-up gutters. If your gutters are full of debris like sticks and leaves, it will prevent water from draining correctly. Prevent this by cleaning the gutters regularly to let rainwater flow freely.

    Check Water Damage

    After experiencing heavy rainfall, check on your flat roofs to ensure there isn’t too much water accumulated there. If there is, you can help remove it before it becomes standing water that wrecks your roof.

    Add More Drains

    Do your drains not perform properly, even when adequately cleaned? In this case, you may need to add more gutters to the end of your flat roof to ensure all the water can drain. It is an extra investment, but it will save you money in the long term as you won’t have to replace an entire roof due to water damage!

    Use a Sloping Material

    When it comes to water drainage, gravity is your friend. Even with a flat roof, you can still benefit from a sloped angle by using a sloping material on top of it. Once placed on your roof, the water will slide off much easier.

     

    Choose Poole Flat Roofing for Your Roofing Needs

    At Poole Flat Roofing, we install and repair roofs to ensure they are durable and long-lasting. If you experience damage due to standing water, get in touch – we provide free quotes to all our customers in the Poole Dorset area.

     

     

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