How Do Flat Roofs Drain Water UK
Flat roofing is a popular choice for commercial and industrial buildings, but it can be difficult to understand exactly what happens when water hits your building’s roof. Roofing contractors will recommend this roofing system for many of the following reasons below.
As an owner of a relatively new flat roof, you may be wondering why water is accumulating on the surface. The answer to this question can be found by looking at what type of roofing system you have and the cause of the water accumulation.
The first step to fixing this problem is to identify whether it is caused by a leak in your flat roofing system. If there is no leak, then there is most likely an issue with something else on your home that causes an overabundance of rainwater to gather near your home.
Flat roofs are structures that have a sloped surface of fewer than 15 degrees from the horizontal. They are more common in commercial buildings, but they can also be seen in residential settings. Flat roof drainage systems must be installed to prevent drainage issues like water pooling on the roof and damaging it.
The following guide will explain some of the different ways that flat roofs are designed to handle rainfall.
1) Gravity-Based Systems
These systems rely on gravity alone to move water away from the structure. They’re typically found in low-slope applications where there isn’t much wind or other factors affecting drainage. In these cases, rainwater simply flows off the roof surface into gutters or downspouts.
2) Sloped-Slab System
This system uses sloping surfaces to direct water toward drains located at the bottom edge of the slab. It works well with more extensive areas because you don’t have as many drain openings per square foot. However, this type of system requires more maintenance than a simple gutter installation.
3) Gable End Overflow
A variation of the slope-based system, GEOs use angled channels along the roof’s edges to funnel water towards an overflow point. Because they require less space than their counterparts, GEOs work best in smaller areas like warehouses and garages.
4) Shingle Flashing
When appropriately installed, shingle flashing directs water around the roof’s perimeter, so it doesn’t pool against the walls. If not done correctly, however, it could cause leaks.
5) Gutters/Downspouts
While most people think about gutters only during winter, they should also be considered year-round. Properly placed gutters help prevent moisture build-up inside the home by directing excess water out through holes in the fascia board. Downspouts take care of any remaining runoff after the storm has passed.
6) Scuppers
A scupper is an external pipe with holes at its base, designed to direct water away from the building. Scuppers have been around since Roman times, but they were only really popularised during Victorian times. People started using their gardens as places where they could sit out in the summer. This meant that there was more chance of getting wet feet if you sat outside, so garden designers came up with ways to channel any rainfall into the ground rather than onto the house’s floorboards.
7) Interior Drains
There are many architectural designs for homes and commercial buildings that incorporate flat roofing. An internal drain is installed inside the wall cavity between the ceiling and floor joists. The purpose of this type of drain is to collect any excess rainwater that falls onto the roof. Interior drains come in two different styles: open and closed. Open interior drains have holes at their base so that water can flow through them freely.
Interior drainage system has the following benefits:
Easy installation – Interior drains do not require any special tools or skills to install. They simply attach directly to existing plumbing lines within the home.
Low cost – Interior drains typically cost less based on size and materials needed.
Ease of maintenance – Because there are no moving parts, interior drains rarely break down over time. However, if you notice excessive clogging, you should contact a professional plumber specialising in this service type.
Why is Flat Roof Drainage Important?
There are many architectural designs for homes and commercial buildings that incorporate flat roofing. Flat roofs have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their durability and resistance to weather conditions. However, they do require some form of drainage solution if you want your home’s or business’s flat roof to last long term. The type of drainage solution depends on what kind of material you use for your flat roof. If you choose asphalt shingle roofing, then you will likely install either gutter systems or interior drains. If you decide to go with metal roofing, then you may opt for one of three different solutions:
1) Metal roofing with integrated drip edge;
2) Metal roofing with separate drip edge;
3) Metal roofing with no drip edge. Each option offers advantages and disadvantages, depending on how you plan to use your new roof.
View our previous blog post here: What is Asphalt Roll Roofing?
