At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.
MOST COMMON DRAIN SYSTEMS OF A FLAT ROOF
Flat roofs offer a unique look for buildings. Not only do flat roofs provide multiple benefits and a simple, modern look, they are also more resistant to persistent environmental threats. If you want to get the most out of a flat roof design, you can turn it into a unique, private living space! You can set up a community garden on one side of the rooftop and enjoy grilling up the fresh vegetables in a patio on the other side. Functionality for a flat rooftop is one of its greatest perks.
The challenge comes with heavy rain, snow, sleet, and hail. When heavy precipitation falls on a flat roof, where does it go? Rain and snow fall down on all roofs, flat and slanted. But, if you have a flat roof, it has nowhere to go. That’s why having a strong drainage solution in place is so important. When you don’t utilize the proper drainage solutions, water will quickly pool on your roof and put unnecessary stress on your building’s foundational support.
Over time, continual pooling water leads to annoying leaks, overall structural damage, a persistent accumulation of debris, costly deterioration, and eventually, necessary roof replacements. It’s easy to protect your roof from these problems, as long as you don’t wait until it’s too late. Instead, make sure you have an effective drainage solution for flat roofs in place today.
WHY FLAT ROOF DRAINAGE IS IMPORTANT
Flat roofing does not drain naturally like sloped roofs that can rely on the force of gravity to remove water. If these roofing types are not fitted with a proper drainage solution, they will experience poor drainage which leads to the following issues:
Pooling of water on the roof that can eventually lead to leaks or structural damage
Accumulation of debris such as twigs and leaves
Damage to the caulking and tar from debris buildup and pooled water
Extra stress from ice in the winter
Leaks near features of the roof such as the chimney or vent pipes
Leaving your flat roof without a drainage system will greatly increase the risk of these issues. Fitting the roof with one of the following systems to ensure proper drainage will help keep it protected.
A major maintenance issue shared between all types of roof drains is debris removal. Regular cleaning and unblocking of the drains, gutters, and scuppers is mandatory. Each of these systems can become clogged by debris. This may include dirt, gravel, leaves and other foreign materials.
GUTTERS
Rain gutters are the most common drain system in use for all types of roofs.
Inexpensive – gutters are the easiest types of drain systems to get and install
Keeps water from pouring off of the roof in an uncontrollable manner
Protects doorways and window openings
Can keep water from pooling and building up near the building foundation
Although they do have their benefits, they also tend to be favored less due to several reasons:
High maintenance – gutters need continual cleaning and upkeep all year long
Gutter brackets can make them hard to clean – installing screens can reduce this problem
Gutters may become brittle and crack. The brackets may also give way due to water or wet leaf weight
Winter freezing – ice builds up causing a dam which leads to cracking
INNER DRAINS
Inner drains are found many times on large building roofs. Residential homes may also have this type of commercial roof installed. The drains are usually placed near the center of the building. They attach to pipes that drain the water down through the building’s roof. This keeps the water safely away from the walls and foundation.
Unlike gutter systems, inner drains will not freeze up and crack or fail during the winter. The building and walls naturally protect the pipes from the elements.
Inner drains are customizable as an attractive feature of your flat roof. Increase your building’s curb appeal and beauty with custom fittings.
Strainers for inner drains are best when custom-made to fit your roof and your particular climate. They assist in keeping any debris from clogging the drain.
Inner drains do have some issues that need consideration before installation:
Inner drains are the costliest of the three drain systems to install.
Maintenance and repair of an inner drain system usually require a professional technician. This leads to an even larger expense.
Vigilance is necessary regarding debris on the flat roof with inner drains. A small amount of debris can completely clog the system. This can become a domino effect as water will have nowhere to go, creating standing pools of water.
Be sure there is an adequate and appropriate number of drains for the size of your roof. Not enough drains will cause a problem with water building up.
SCUPPERS
To put it simply, scuppers are openings in the outer walls or curbs along the roof line. They allow water to run through the wall via a metal box protecting and surrounding the scupper. When designed and installed in the correct manner, scuppers are usually the best value. They are the top choice for draining water from your flat roof efficiently.
Low cost
Easy to almost negligible maintenance required
No clogging issues if scupper is large or wide enough
No leaf or debris build-up, everything washes or blows off the roof
Water shoots out away from the building instead of down the side
Can add architectural appeal to roof line with custom scuppers
The only real negative with scuppers occurs when they hook up to a downspout or gutter. Because of the clogging habits of both of these attachments, it is a better idea to leave them off of the system.
True Sloped Insulation
True sloped insulation is installed underneath a roof. It works by utilizing gravity to expel water. Because of how this is installed, it’s not a great solution for existing buildings, but a viable option for new construction.
True sloped insulation is made out of EPS board, wood fiber board or ISO board thermal insulation. This insulation style must be pre-cut by the manufacturer to the exact measurements of the flat roof. Professionals then install the slope pattern to create a ramp that guides water away from the flat roof’s surface.
The small slope that’s installed acts as a ramp to avoid any excessive pooling. It also guides the water off of the surface. Note, this draining solution is the most expensive option.
Step Sloped Insulation
If you like the idea of true sloped insulation, but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars, you can opt for a step sloped insulation. The general idea is similar: add a slight slant to your roof to get water off and away. However, step sloped insulation uses flat board insulation instead of the roof-board that true sloped uses. This is more cost effective because of how it’s installed.
If you’re interested in either insulation option, it’s advised that you contact a professional to schedule an inspection. Only the professionals will be able to give you the advice you need based on your roof’s specific parameters.
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Flat roofing does not drain naturally like sloped roofs that can rely on the force of gravity to remove water. If these roofing types are not fitted with a proper drainage solution, they will experience poor drainage which leads to the following issues:
SCUPPERS