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3 Draining Solutions for a Flat Roof

- December 14, 2016 | January 7, 2021 - Home efficiency tips

roofing materialsRoofing contractors know that simply selecting the right roofing materials can result in a 30% decrease in your home’s energy needs. And guess what? The same goes for your commercial building as well. Choosing the right materials for your commercial facility is essential, and many commercial building owners go with a flat asphalt roof.

Unlike other kinds of roofs and roofing materials, a flat roof doesn’t have physics on its side when it comes to drainage. Without a slope to direct water down and away, a flat roof is at risk of serious water damage. It needs a proper drainage system for rain and snow to prevent pooling water, which leads to leaks and roof membrane damage. Here are a few commercial roofing solutions for proper drainage.

  1. Interior drainage system
    Interior drains are installed near the center of the roof to move water through an internal network of pipes and gutters, which guide the water back to the exterior of the building. A strainer typically sits on top of the drains to prevent debris from entering the pipes and clogging them. The interior drainage system is a great solution because the pipes effectively collect the water while being totally hidden from view.

  2. Plant carriers
    If you’ve already got a drainage system in place, use plant carriers to improve the process in an eco-friendly way. The carriers have a netting of biodegradable fibers in which seeds are planted. The roots from those seeds soak up the moisture from the roof, eliminating a great deal of standing water while the rest is taken care of by the main drainage system.

  3. True sloped insulation
    This method can be more expensive because it requires the installation of additional insulation underneath the roof itself. The insulation is made out of ISO board, EPS board, or wood fiber. It is used to create a slope that acts as a ramp to guide water down and away from the roof.

The task of choosing a flat roof drainage method shouldn’t be taken lightly. Consult your building design team or roofing contractor before installing any sort of drain or insulation.