How to remove Pooling Water on a Roof

Pooling water on a Flat Roof

When you have a flat roof water pool for extended periods of time, it could have negative results in the membrane and structure. These areas that pool also accumulates dirt and leaves that accelerate the growth of algae and moss which is also harmful to the roof.

Watch videos on how the best flat roof drain system to prevent standing or pooling water on a flat roof.

It is not considered standing water if it evaporates or dissipates within 48 hours. If pooling water does not drain or disappear within 48 hours, it will cause severe damage to the structure over time.

Flat Roof Water Pool weight can cause damage to the structure

It starts with the weight. Standing water weighs approximately 5 lbs. Per inch for every square foot. If the pooling water covers a 10 x 10 feet area, and it is deeper than 1″, then the added weight of this area is approximately 500lbs. This weight will put stress on the joists or beams causing them to bow. The continued pressure will sag the roof more, and a larger amount of water pool will form. This added stress to the roofing membrane will cause the seams and flashing to pop loose.

It is not possible to reverse the bow in the joists after subjected to that pressure.

Read this article about Ponding water in Wikipedia

Clogged Drain causing pooling water

When plants start to grow from a drain that is blocked, then there is a problem. Every time it rains hard enough this roof builds up a big pool of water that causes pressure on the structure and in turn the roofing membrane. Notice how the roofing membrane is not laying flat. This entire flat roof has been compromised.

This roof could have been saved if they kept the flat roof drains open and free from debris.

One way to get rid of pooling water on a roof is to install a channel

There are times where water is pooling on a roof with skylights and drain pipes sitting in the water. Most contractors will suggest building the low area up so water would not pool. This could be very expensive because skylights will have to be removed and then be re-installed again. Instead, we decided to install a channel leading the water away. This is a much simpler solution when possible.

Watch this video on Flat Roof Repairs and Flashing

This video shows how we made a channel to remove standing water from a flat roof

It is important that the roofing contractor you hire plans the roof installation so that there would be no standing water. We have seen so many times that they would install a roof disregarding the position of the drain or scuppers.

An architect might have laid out a plan and positioning of drains, but it’s up to the roof technician to make sure the water flow properly to the drains. There is nothing worse than having a new roof and water pooling because of bad planning.

In the next video, that is exactly what happened, the roofer was not experienced and caused water to pool in areas that caused structural damage.

Standing water on a flat roof add weight that will affect the structure of the roof

The weight of the water pooling on a roof can cause the joists to bow and in turn, cause more water to accumulate. It is is very important to correct this issue before it becomes irreversible and costly repair follows.

Improving a flat roof drain system on a flat roof will extend the life expectancy and less maintenance over the years needed.

Water Pool on a Flat Roof

This image was taken shortly after it rained and snowed. Notice the little water left on the roof. When standing water can evaporate or dissipate within 48 hours, then it’s not considered pooling water on a flat roof. The scuppers on this flat roof are the best drainage system.

Standing water on a flat roof – EPDM

Although a small roof, the roof was not pitched towards the gutters causing the water to pool against the flashing on the wall. Because EPDM Rubber uses an adhesive to bond the seams together, the prolonged water saturation caused the adhesives to deteriorate and all the seams starting to separate.

Installing a drain where water is ponding is another option

Sometimes it is feasible to install a drain at the lowest part of standing water. This will entail cutting the roof open, installing necessary supports for the drain, and installing necessary pipes inside the building to lead water to the outside away from the building.

This method is much more costly than the above-suggested method with a channel. A drain might be the only answer to the problem if the edge of the roof is too far for a channel or the slope of the roof is not favorable.

If installing a drain is the best choice of removing pooling water, then we recommend following the principle in the 3D animated video. When the opportunity lends itself, then always opt in for a drain as illustrated in the video.