What to do About Roof Ponding

By ICP Group. 

Ever wonder how to handle water ponding on a flat roof?   

Water can’t run off of flat roofs the way that it can on slanted roofs, which leads to water puddling on the roof that creates structural damage and leaks. Pooling water on your roof needs to be addressed, so when water starts to pond, it is time to start addressing the problem. Luckily, there are a few easy fixes for ponding that can seriously help your roof’s life expectancy. 

How to fix your ponding 

There is a roofing product that evens out the spots where your roof dips/sags and ponds so that when there are heavy rains you don’t collect water on your roof. It is an easy-to-apply product for DIY people who would like to take care of their ponding issues on their own; and is an auxiliary sloping compound. It dries quickly and only requires one application to correct drainage problems on your flat roof. It has the ability to be matched to the existing roof. You should make sure the product you choose is UV stable. Sitting in direct sunlight for hours, days and years at a time should not reduce the effectiveness of the compound. 

Another option for DIY roofers is to figure out where the low spots on your roof are. Once you understand how the water puddles on your roof, install a drain so that the water naturally comes off of your roof without having to do extensive repair work to your current roof. It just depends on the severity of the issue and how handy you are. 

When to call a professional 

Just because there are some simple and effective roofing solutions to those who wish to do their own repairs does not mean that these solutions are going to be the best for everyone. If you are not comfortable applying a compound or you’re not sure that you are going to be able to adequately fix your ponding issue on your own then do not hesitate to call in a roofing professional. Even those individuals who feel confident in their abilities to do their own repairs may want to consider professional guidance because when your flat roof starts to pond, the problem could be a lot more serious to the structure than what initially meets the eye. 

If you notice water leaking into the structure from the roof, you’ll want to call in a professional roofing contractor even if it is just to assess how bad the damage really is. If you’re lucky the worst you’ll get is stained ceilings. Realistically, when water is leaking in from ponding on the roof you have to seriously worry about damage to your electrical systems, damaged furniture and possessions inside the space in question and serious carpet damage to name a few. Repairing all of these things could cost you thousands upon thousands of dollars if the damage is really bad. 

If ponding is the only issue you are facing, take care of the issue as soon as you possibly can. You have some DIY options but, if the ponding water has breached the roof and is leaking into your space, you will want to seek professional help and advice even if the problem looks manageable. The extent of the problem could be more than you can immediately see. 

Have a question? AskARoofer. 

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Original article source: Roofslope 

Disclaimer: The information provided on AskARoofer.com or information sent by emails is the opinion of the writers. It is the responsibility of the reader to check for accuracy in one's own jurisdiction, as there are different codes and restrictions for different parts of the country. AskARoofer.com does not accept any liability for the use of information on this website or email. AskARoofer.com has no controls over product failures, installation, or climate conditions that may change the roofing process in your area. Our information is in general to our area and cannot be the same as your local town or state. It is advised to seek the local Building Department, Licensed Contractor, and local Product Representative for proper installation requirements and code enforcement when installing a new roof.