Avoiding ponding on your flat roof

Well it seems there is no let up in this miserable weather! Having rained for what feels like months and with yet more to come this week it has caused no end of problems up and down the country. For homeowners with a flat roof it is more important than ever to monitor the condition of your roof. Though flat roofs are designed to include a slight pitch to aid drainage, you will always see a small amount of rainwater pool on the surface. Most modern roofing systems are strong enough to handle the build-up of rainwater to a certain degree, but if you experience ponding (large expanses of water), especially on an older roof, this could be the first sign that you have a more serious problem. Large areas of standing water, especially if frozen over and covered with snow during the winter, can become very heavy and could cause older felt roofs to sag and in extreme cases fall in. To avoid the possibility of water ponding on your roof we would recommend homeowners ensure that all drainage is kept clear. Keeping guttering and downpipes clear of leaves, twigs and general blockages will ensure the flow of water from your roof is smooth, avoiding possible build ups. As we said, most modern roofing systems should be able to handle a build-up of standing rainwater without any problems, but if your roof is particularly old, or you do not usually experience problems of this kind, do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to come take a look.