Ponding occurs on rooftops when there is a drainage issue. Commercial flat roofs with ponding issues are at risk of deteriorating before their estimated lifespan. The damages may increase the risk of roof leaks, which can lead to interior water damage, which may cause property losses such as damaged equipment or goods. A commercial property may be at risk for mold contamination if water damage occurs. The following points identify a few things that can cause roof ponding.
Flawed Roof Design
Although most commercial properties have what is referred to as flat roofing, a roof's design should not be completely flat. A slope should be implemented in the design. The purpose of sloping the roof is to encourage rain and melted snow to drain away from the rooftop rather than settle and form ponds. If the slope or lack thereof is the issue, commercial roofers can attempt to install a drain. This may resolve the issue. If it does not, the roofer might have to do what is referred to as a partial rebuild, which involves rebuilding the areas where the ponding issues occur because they represent the flawed areas.
Damaged Roof Insulation
The roof insulation may get damaged if a commercial roof has a lot of foot traffic. This might be the case if the building is designed with features such as storage solutions that have to be accessed from the roof. Over time the heavy foot traffic can cause the roof insulation to become crushed. This leads to unevenness and ponding. Some commercial properties have HVAC units on the rooftops, which almost always leads to ponding at some point. The ponding might be caused by condensation issues or the position and location of the HVAC unit. If it is a condensation drainage issue, the roofer can install drain lines to divert the condensation to roof drains to prevent ponding.
Foundation Settlement
This is a normal phenomenon that affects buildings and homes over time. Sometimes it is caused by earth shifting and may occur gradually, which is why most property owners will not notice it until something seems amiss with their properties. It can also be caused by freeze and thaw cycles, which cause soil to contract and expand.
A commercial roofer is a good resource to use for concerns about rooftop ponding. They can inspect to determine the cause of the issue and implement an appropriate fix. The goal is to determine how to divert water away from the roof and prevent damage. If damages exist, flat roofing repairs will need to be made in addition to correcting drainage issues.
Contact a flat roofing contractor to learn more.
