Should Flat Roofs Hold Water

Water does not run off of it very easily.

Should flat roofs hold water. Ponding water is typically a sign of a drainage problem that needs to be addressed because when left unaddressed ponding water on a roof can. The consequences of your flat roof collecting standing water. The design of a flat roof can sometimes prevent rain and precipitation water from draining properly making standing water a common problem. However puddles 1 or more inches deep that linger for days can indicate a significant problem with draining.

It has a very low slope between 1 4 to 1 2 inch per foot so that it drains water. By their very nature flat roofs do not completely drain after it rains. There s a problem with flat roofs. Even flat roofs contain a slight slope to maintain positive drainage.

Roof systems are simply not designed to hold water. But such a low slope holds snow and water much longer than a steeply pitched roof and therefore needs a very different material to stay watertight. Leaving water on a flat roof for less time can help minimize roofing damage. There can be a host of reasons why ponds of water may appear on your roof after bouts of rain so it s important to know what remedial action to take if your property is suffering.

Collect dirt which may cause the growth of vegetation or telegraph mud cracking to the roof below.