Why Not A Flat Roof

Another common reason for failure of flat roofs is lack of drain maintenance where gravel leaves and debris block water outlets be they spigots drains downpipes or gutters.

Why not a flat roof.

If you are using a flat concrete roof then you are using a roofing system that holds up against heavy winds. For clarity flat roofs actually have a slight slope to allow rain water to drain off the roof but they seem flat when compared with more traditional steeply sloped roofs. Expert installers and quality materials go hand in hand when choosing a flat roof. Such structures include plumbing vents pipes gas lines and other building elements.

A flat roof can remain leak free for around 7 years. Adding shingles can actually lessen this time. Any slope that has a pitch less than 2 12 is too flat for shingles and should be covered with flat roof materials such as tpo pvc epdm rubber or others. A flat roof is water resistant so you do not have to worry about water damage.

Different roofing materials require different slopes or pitches. Therefore water has a tendency to puddle and remain on the roof which could lead to the roofing material breaking down or to eventual leaks particularly along the seams. Flat roofs are more prone to leaks than sloped roofs is not true. Flat roofs have one thing in common with sloped shingle roofs.

Flat roofs do drain but not nearly as efficiently as a roof with any kind of pitch. Poor installation aging and poor design are all key components to roofing system failure. The minimum pitch required for shingles is 2 12 which means for every 12 inches the roof rises 2 inches. When shingles are installed even when done properly water can become trapped under the shingle.

Flat roofs do not drain as efficiently as roofs with a pitch. On a pitched roof the water won t stay trapped. A flat roof contractor will likely install added mechanisms to address proper drainage. The standing water can lead to the breakdown of roofing material or future leaks especially along the seams.

However on a flat roof there is no place for the water to go. To protect these features against leaks a variety of different tactics are used. The biggest disadvantage to installing a flat roof is the drainage or lack thereof. Once underlying roof decking is soaked it often sags creating more room for water to accumulate and further worsening the problem.

The slope should be a minimum of 1 in 80 but in practice a minimum slope of 1 to 40 should be used to allow for deflection of the roof and for normal building tolerances. The risk of a fallout decreases when you opt for a flat roof on your home.