Ponding Water On Flat 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.

Ponding water on flat roof.

Flat roofs by their very nature will collect some water when it rains. It may also void your warranty. Why should you be concerned about ponding water. Ponding is the phenomenon of water pooling on flat roofs after storms snow melts or heavy rains.

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. This is because the flat roof can hinder drainage from rainwater which results in standing water on the roof. If your commercial building has a flat roof sometimes there is a problem with ponding water. However when your flat roof has uneven areas due to sagging an insufficient slope or drainage issues the ponding water doesn t dissipate.

Common problems caused by flat roof ponding. Ponding occurs when after a storm or heavy rain water collects in pools on the roof. However excessive ponding threatens your roof. This is especially prevalent after a lot of rainstorms.

The water may seep into the roofing material and cause damage inside cause. So if your flat roof is collecting water that doesn t drain or evaporate within 48 hours you will need to fix it. No matter the reason for the ponding a professional roofing contractor will be able to help you fix the problem. Dry the puddled water with old rags or towels and allow the roof exterior to completely air dry.

3 use the utility knife to cut a 12 inch diameter circular patch out of the rolled asphalt roofing. On a performing flat roof ponding water is not a problem as it will drain or even evaporate away. The water pools after days or hours of steady precipitation due to a variety of causes such as a clogged drain or structural issues that inhibit drainage. Roofs should be constructed in such a way that all water drains within 48 hours of the rain stopping.

Ponding can wreak havoc on your roof if you ignore it. Puddles or ponding water is water from rainstorms and snow melts that collects on a flat roof and doesn t drain or evaporate after 48 hours. After any rainfall lands on a flat roof water will begin to pool. Your flat roof might also have drains which have become blocked by debris meaning that the water has no choice but to accumulate on the roof.

Pools should drain away without causing any damage to the structure but owners and managers should know when to take action how to identify the cause of the ponding and how to resolve it.