Flat roofs are not really flat, even though a lot of people think they are. Despite the fact that the angle of a flat roof’s design may not be clearly visible, flat roofs are definitely not flat, it would be impossible for water to drain off completely from the roof if they were. King Koating offers trained roofing professionals that stand behind the quality and reliability of their work. With this in mind, if you ever have a need for a roof replacement, be sure to ask the roofing company how they plan to tackle water drainage and how your roof will be angled.
There are different ways to go about a flat roof replacement, depending on the location and design of your roof. To avoid getting a flat roof replacement wrong even from the beginning and having to incur extra cost from paying for the same job twice, ensure that there is a good plan to prevent water stagnation before the job commences.
If your roof has an opening on one side at least, it can be constructed with a natural slope in a way that will allow water to be directed towards the edge of the opening. In the past, a 1/8 of an inch slope per foot was commonly used and usually did the trick. However it is advised that your roof is designed to include at least a ¼ inch slope per foot if you are having a replacement. This extra slope may not cause your roof to look any different but it will ensure that water flows in the right direction and water stagnation is prevented.
You can also use a drain system to ensure water is cleared off your roof. If your roof have retaining walls on all its sides or prevents water from being propelled to its edges, then this the best option for you. A drain system is easy to install and can be done either by using scuppers , which are metals flashing inserted into openings made on the retaining walls or by adding drain pipes with inlets. When scuppers are used, they are sealed around all the sides to prevent leaking after which crickets are installed to direct water to the scupper for draining.
Drain pipes should be installed before the actual roofing materials are applied, only the pipe inlets covered with some sort of metal screen to prevent clogging are usually visible. Water will be directed to the right channel via crickets and the strategically positioned slopes. Drains will most likely work with the gutter system already in place. Whatever the course you decide to take, slopes are critical for a successful roof replacement.
The most common material used for flat roof replacement is E.P.D.M. it is a black rubbery material that is relatively cheap and readily available. It is also easy to repair, serves as a good insulator and does not pollute water. However they tend to separate at the seams making them susceptible to leaks and they can easily be damaged by weather conditions, foot movement or items like nails dropped on the roof. Despite these limitations, it is still a good choice for roof replacements