Stop Flat Roof Leaks!
Mention flat roofs and everyone will have a story about a leak.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Great planning and installation of the right materials, and application of common sense in how a flat roof is used and you can, I believe, stop flat roof leaks.
Here’s how to stop flat roof leaks
- Buy cheap buy twice: make sure you buy materials from a big-name brand, complete with roof edges, and that you pay heed to all the instructions
- It might be more expensive to put heating and aircon equipment inside or on the ground, but it will avoid damaging your roof.
- Watch out for any areas where the work of your roofing contractor intersects with anyone else – mason, bricklayer, skylight installer etc – make sure the quality of the intersection doesn’t suffer
- Make sure your roofing contractor has plenty of space to work around anything – at least 75cm clearance – and make sure he has a plan to work to.
- Design high platforms for large equipment so roof maintenance is possible underneath the kit.
- Ensure structural posts for other equipment are round so your roofer and use foolproof flashing details
- Make mechanical and electrical contractors use pipe boxes instead of pitch pockets – far less likely to leak
- Never attach piping or conduit directly to flashings and copings as this can hinder any future maintenance.
Flat roof leaks that should never have happened
- We’ve seen our share of flat roof leaks that could have been avoided too:
- A roof where the edges hadn’t been fitted or maintained properly
- A school roof there the mortar joint and flashing cracked to let water round the edge of the flat roof
- A factory where the roof top HVAC unit was letting rainwater in through joints in the casing which had been fitted without gaskets
Planning a good flat roof
Most of these factors can be planned for – so we think it is possible to design a flat roof that doesn’t leak!