Common Reasons for Water Ponding on Flat Roofs in Metro Detroit
A flat roof looks and serves well until the formation of low spots on it. In most cases, commercial roofs face this issue and it becomes more troubling when water starts to accumulate in those minor depressions. Roof repair experts often call this phenomenon ‘water ponding’, which becomes a headache for people responsible for the upkeep of the building. There are multiple reasons why low spots start to form on the roof and eventually results in water ponding.
Settling of the construction
According to material sciences, concrete constructions settle down in a place over a course of time. This means a new concrete construction will take in slight deformations and changes in the following years. These structural changes are not of large magnitude and don’t pose any threat to the building. However, slight chips and low spot formation can’t be ruled out in such cases. Don’t blame the contractor for any low spot on the building roof because it’s just how concrete constructions settle down.
No cricket installation
Cricket is a ridge-like structure that is primarily installed along with rooftop articles to prevent the stagnation of water. For instance, a cricket is installed alongside the chimney so that no water stands in its base. Similarly, skylight installations must also be accompanied by crickets for the same reason.
If they are not in place then after a spell of rain, it is very likely that water ponding will happen on the roof. Therefore, make sure that every rooftop installation has crickets to prevent water damages to the installation and the roof.
Poor roof insulation
Many homeowners go for roof insulation to transform their building into energy-efficient spaces. Over time, roof insulations go through the process of compression, resulting in low spots on its surface. One might not notice them during dry weather. However, as it rains, these spots become waterlogged and ultimately convert into ponds.
Inefficient roof drainage
This is one of the most obvious reasons for water ponding on the roof. In the presence of clogged gutters and downspouts, the rainwater from the roof can’t escape to the ground drainage and hence stand there until it naturally evaporates. More importantly, stagnant water for a long period of time can also create low spots on the roof.
Apart from the aforementioned issues, a roof can develop low spots because of sand shifting beneath the surface, and around the foundation of the house. The moisture within the earth and tectonic shifts can slightly change some features of the construction, including the formation of low spots on the roof.
Water ponding on the roof might not affect you immediately. However, it will chop down the roof’s operational life in the long run. Therefore, if you are encountering this problem, get in touch with any professional flat roof repair contractor. A & L Flat Roof Repair provides exemplary flat roof repair services in Metro-Detroit, Michigan. Their expert technicians can get rid of low spots from the rooftop to prevent any water ponding issues. If you notice any signs of water ponding on your flat roof, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (586) 777-1477.
