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Why Is Water Pooling Up On Your Flat Roof?

Flat roofs sometimes lack the pitch needed for rainwater or melted snow to flow off of it. Whether or not your roof does depends on if your roofing contractor factored in the possibility of ponding while designing and constructing the roof. Leaving the standing water, or ponding water, on your roof could have serious implications that could require the installation of an entirely new roof. If your home's roof is flat, here is what you need to know about protecting it from standing water.  

Is Ponding Preventable? 

Since your roof does lack pitch, it is not 100 percent possible to prevent ponding, but you can take steps to protect your roof. One of the most important things you can do is to monitor the condition of your roof. After it rains or snows, inspect your roof for standing pools of water.  

In addition to this, you need to remove any leaves or other debris that could be preventing some water from flowing off your roof. The clearer the path is for the water, the less likely it is that it will start ponding on the roof.  

If there is a heavy snow, as soon as possible, grab a ladder and start shoveling some of the snow off your roof. You do not have to climb on the roof, but at least clear the areas around the edges of the roof. Be sure to ask someone to help with securing the ladder to avoid unnecessary risks.  

Can Insulation Help With Ponding? 

One of the best tools available to fight ponding is insulation. The insulation helps to create some sort of pitch to help keep the flow of water off your roof. Tapered insulation is a better option than regular insulation when it comes to preventing ponding.  

Tapered insulation has a natural slope that forces the water to keep moving. Your roofing contractor can apply the insulation so that the water is naturally diverted to the gutters or rain drains. It is an economical solution that can last for a relatively long time.  

It is important to note though that insulation can sometimes play a role in ponding. If the insulation becomes crushed, pockets can form that will allow the water to pool up again. To prevent this, periodically check your insulation for signs of crushing.  

Your contractor like All Weather Exteriors can inspect your roof and find other ways to keep ponding to a minimum. 


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