Ever wanted to know how your flat roof’s drainage system affects your pocket? If anything, most of the damages that occur in flat roofs are a result of issues within the drainage system. It, thus, goes without saying that a proper drainage system will go a long way in helping you to save money that would otherwise go to costly repairs. Now, homeowners have a myriad of drainage choices to choose from when installing flat roofs. This makes it crucial to understand the pros and cons of each before investing in any one of them. With that said, check out the pointers below:
Why flat roof drainage is vital
Since flat roofs aren’t sloped like pitched roofs, they can’t naturally drain water. As such, if you don’t fit this type of roofs with a proper drainage solution, you’re likely to experience the following problems:
- Heavy pooling of water which can lead to structural damage or leaks
- Accumulation of debris like leaves and twigs
- Damage to the roof covering, especially if it’s tar or caulking
- Extra weight from ice and snow during the winter
- Common drainage solutions for flat roofs
Interior drains
Interior or inner drains on flat roofs operate similarly to the drain in a sink or shower system. In essence, these types of drains are installed in the roof areas that gather the most water. They work by leading the water into a piping system that’s normally below the roof. Once the water gets into the pipes, it flows towards a downspout or gutter.
Benefits of interior drains
- They protect the building’s foundation and walls from water damage
- They don’t fail or freeze up during the winter because the pipes are naturally protected by the building’s walls
- Since inner drains are customizable, they can increase your property’s beauty and curb appeal
- Inner drains come with custom-made strainers to fit your particular climate and roof. These
strainers stop debris and dirt from clogging up your drains.
Disadvantages of interior drains
- They are expensive when compared to other drainage solutions
- Because of their positioning, the repair and maintenance of inner drains require a professional technician, making it a costly exercise.
- With inner drains, you have to be vigilant when it comes to debris on your roof. Yes, even small amounts of debris can clog up the entire drainage system and create pools of water.
- For the inner drainage system to work optimally, you must invest in the right number of drains. This means that if you don’t buy enough, your investment might go down the drain.
Scuppers
Simply put, scuppers are the type of drainage that features openings in the curbs or outer walls, along the roofline. They work by enabling water to drain via metal boxes that surround and protect the scuppers. Without a doubt, scuppers offer the best drainage value, but only when designed and installed correctly.
Benefits of scuppers
- They are affordable considering that they are made using low-cost materials
- Easy to almost no negligible maintenance required
- If the scuppers are wide and large enough for your roof, you will never have to deal with clogging issues again. Everything simply blows or washes off the roof.
- They allow the drainage water to shoot away instead of flowing down on the sides.
- Scuppers can increase your building’s architectural appeal
Disadvantages of scuppers
- A scupper drainage system may fail to function optimally if one of its downpipes gets frozen.
- While scupper drainage will rarely get clogged, leaves and debris in one of its leader header or leader pipe can cause serious clogging within the entire system.
Gutters
Other than being the most popular drainage solution, gutters are also the most cost-effective. They work by trapping water after it rolls off your flat roof, before directing it to a downspout for safe dispensation. Gutters go a long way in ensuring that rainwater won’t uncontrollably run down a building’s sides to damage the foundation, windows, and siding.
Advantages of gutters
- In addition to being inexpensive, gutters are also readily available and quite easy to install
- Gutters help to protect the window and door opening from water damage
- Can prevent water from building up and pooling near a building’s foundation
- Water can still drain off a gutter that’s full of debris
- They are some-what self-cleaning because some dirt can flow off with the water
Disadvantages of gutters
- Gutters require a high level of maintenance in the form of upkeep and continuous cleaning all year long
- Since gutters come with brackets, they can be difficult to clean. However, installing gutter screens can solve this issue.
- Depending on the material used, gutters can get brittle and crack
- During winter, freezing can lead to ice build-up in the gutters and cause cracking
Since there are many different types of gutters out there, here are a few things to consider when choosing the most appropriate one for your home:
Material
The material used to make a gutter determines its durability and level of aesthetic appeal. Some of the most common materials used to create gutters include:
Aluminum gutters
On top of being extremely durable, aluminum can resist damages caused by snow, rain, or hail. Select this material if you desire gutters that offer a timeless, classic appearance.
Vinyl gutters (plastic)
Vinyl is one of the most inexpensive gutter materials you can find. It’s also quite easy to install because of its plastic nature.
Copper gutters
If you value environmental friendliness, this is the most ideal type of gutter to go for. Even so, expect to spend more money since copper is a high-end material.
Steel gutters
Steel gutters are an excellent choice for flat roofs situated in places with extreme weather conditions. However, these types of gutters are quite difficult to install because of their massive weight.
Seamless or Sectional Gutters
It’s important to realize that gutters come in either pieces or sections. So as the name suggests, sectional gutters feature sections that are fitted together using a sealant. The main benefit of these types of gutters is convenience. They can fit with any kind of roofing design, no matter the corners or length. On the other hand, seamless gutters come in single pieces that can be custom-fitted to a home. They are more expensive than sectional gutters since they can be customized. When looking for the most appropriate drainage system for your flat roof, ensure to consider the system’s durability, its cost, and the maintenance measures required. This will help you choose a solution that will serve you right for the longest time possible. Remember, you can always consult a professional roofer for more drainage advice.
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