A flat roof is a very inexpensive and fast roof to install. Because of the roofing contractor’s lower risk, the installation is relatively inexpensive. Flat roofs are also very low maintenance over their lifetime. Water ponding must be repaired in order to protect the roof.
Do you know anything about Flat Roof Ponding?
The term ponding refers to the occurrence or appearance of a pool of water that remains visible on a flat roof 48 hours after a rainfall. The problem of ponding water may have only begun to surface when a flat roof was installed, but the issue may have been present since day one.
When water ponds on the flat roof, the stagnant pool of water can seriously damage the roof structure. Roofs with sufficient drainage may see ponding in places as a result of weather damage from hail, snow, or windstorms.
On a flat roof, water sitting for a prolonged period of time causes several harmful effects. In short, moisture breaks down the roofing coating, destroys roof membranes, and damages unprotected roofing felts. Below are five explanations of problematic ponds:
1. The Coating has been damaged.
On a flat roof, the ponding of water causes further damage to the roof coatings. Over time, water on the roof affects its stability. Sunlight can cause the coating of the roof to deteriorate, causing the water to heat up as the rays are hit by that harmful UV ray.
2. Damaged Membrane
Ponding water damages the roofing membrane when it passes through seams. The pooling water becomes susceptible to leaks as it heats up from the sun. Besides focusing damaging sunlight on parts of the roof, the water also acts as a magnifying glass.
Water submerged under ponding damage will damage almost any roofing membrane. Because of the pooling water, the membrane will degrade rapidly. A flat roof has been damaged rapidly as a result of photo-oxidation.
In sunlight and rain, asphalt and polymeric surfaces deteriorate faster when exposed to the continual cycles of ponding and evaporation. Ponding water even in the chill of winter can ruin the flat roofing system.
When ponding water freezes and thaws, its aggregate surfacing breaks down. With the fluctuations in temperature, ice constantly forms and moves. As ice continues to move during wintry weather, a considerable amount of damage occurs to the roof membrane, seriously reducing its structural integrity.
3. Collapses and Leaks
The air leaks into the interior of the building as a result of moisture entering through thin spots in the roof. A roof collapse is worse than a leak. Ponding water would impact the structure of the roof and cause it to fail.
4. Roots of Invasive Plants
In ponds, dirt and debris are often found in the water. Plants, trees, and fungi are probably going to grow on the flat roof as a result of the collection of dirt and water. Branches of plants and fungi can penetrate roofs and cause major structural issues.
5. Weakened Features
A weakening of the roof’s structural integrity occurs at the roof deck when ponding water weakens the substrate. Consistent exposure to water promotes rust in metal roof parts and damages concrete features. In continuous contact with moisture, wood and tectum will also weaken.
A company can have a commercial roofing contractor who can works on commercial flat roofs and with any type of material.
Roofing insulation is damaged by ponding. Thermal and structural integrity is lost when wet insulation is used. Because the insulation is rotting and losing binders, it becomes significantly weaker. It also reduces thermal resistance. It also undergoes changes in size.
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