Among Flat Roof Problems, Ponding Water Is a Major Issue
Flat roof problems, particularly ponding water, can cause major damage if not addressed quickly. While flat roofs are built for durability, no roof is immune to issues. Flat roof systems are designed to protect large properties and most commonly commercial buildings—but they aren’t without their problems.
While these roofs are designed to last a long time and prioritize function and performance above all else, no roof is truly immune to issues. In particular, while flat roofs can experience many of the same problems as any other roofing system, ponding water is an especially serious issue that must be addressed quickly
Here at Anchor Roofing, our team of Omaha roofers has a wealth of experience working on commercial and other flat roof systems. Throughout our time in the roofing industry, we’ve seen numerous cases of ponding water putting entire properties at risk—including some truly unique cases.
So to help property owners better understand their roofing systems and how to care for them, we’re sharing why ponding water is among the most serious flat roof problems.
What Are the Most Common Flat Roof Problems?
- Blistering of single-ply membrane materials
- Punctures, tears, and other weak points
- Accumulation of debris
- Mold and algae growth
- UV damage
- Ponding water
- Leaks
Why Ponding Water Is More Common on Flat Roofs
All roofing systems are designed with drainage and mind. Water is the number-one enemy of most roofs, as it can seep through even the smallest of weak points and cause rot, decay, mold, mildew, and much more.
The primary way that roofs deal with rainwater and other moisture is simple: roofs have a pitch and let gravity do the work of pulling water down from the roof. For residential roofs, pitches may be as steep 12/12—that is, for every 12 inches of horizontal size (run), the roof has 12 inches of rise. More commonly, residential roofs will be between 4/12 and 8/12.
Commercial roofs are a different story. Most use lower slopes to preserve interior space, and the definition of “low slope” varies from under 2/12 to under 4/12. Flat roofs take this to the extreme, with pitches between ¼/12 and ½/12—that is, a quarter inch to a half inch of rise for every 12 inches of run.
This design means that there is very little margin for error in ensuring water can properly drain from the roof. When installation is not carried out correctly—or when the roof inevitably degrades over time—drainage from the roof can be slowed or stopped, leading to ponding water.
Problems Caused by Ponding Water
So ponding water is one of the biggest problems a flat roof faces. But you may be wondering: What’s the big deal? As it turns out, that water can do a lot of damage. Some of the issues and risks associated with ponding water include:
- Water damage as water finds weak points and seeps into the underlying areas of the roof
- Leaks as weaknesses are worsened by decay and water damage
- Mold and mildew as moisture finds its way to building interiors
- Algae growth due to a moist environment on the surface of the roof
- Structural damage as even small amounts of ponding water are very heavy, causing added strain on the roofing system
- Roof collapse in extreme cases, as water accumulation becomes too great for the roof to bear
Avoid Flat Roof Problems with the Experts at Anchor Roofing
At Anchor Roofing, our experienced commercial roofing professionals are well first in preventing the most common—and the most uncommon—flat roof problems. Our commercial roofing systems are designed to efficiently remove water and prevent major issues such as ponding. What’s more, we protect commercial roofs with proactive repairs to maximize your roof’s performance.
If you’re looking to better protect your property with an expertly installed flat roof, Anchor Roofing is Omaha’s leader in commercial roofing services. Reach out to our team today to get started.