Should Flat Roofs Hold Water

Even flat roofs contain a slight slope to maintain positive drainage.

Should flat roofs 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. Collect dirt which may cause the growth of vegetation or telegraph mud cracking to the roof below. Water does not run off of it very easily. By their very nature flat roofs do not completely drain after it rains.

The most common reason that flat roofs hold or pond water is because of inadequate or obstructed drainage. There s a problem with flat roofs. 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. It has a very low slope between 1 4 to 1 2 inch per foot so that it drains water.

Leaving water on a flat roof for less time can help minimize roofing damage. However puddles 1 or more inches deep that linger for days can indicate a significant problem with draining. The good news is that this cause of ponding water is usually the easiest to correct with scheduled roof maintenance. Flat roofing is not actually flat.

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.