Modern Flat Roof Drainage

Flat roof drain types.

Modern flat roof drainage.

For clarity flat roofs actually have a slight slope to allow rain water to drain off the roof but they seem flat when compared with more traditional steeply sloped roofs. Your building and location can help determine which drain will fit your roof needs. It s the most popular drainage system for the average roof. Unlike other roofing types that are slanted or sloped to allow water to drain automatically flat roofs need a built in drainage system to help remove moisture and debris.

The angle is not significant enough to prevent water from pooling on the surface. There are three types of drain systems commonly used on flat roofs. There s no real way around it. The main benefit of inner drains is that the system is hidden from view.

Most roofs both flat and slanted come equipped with a gutter system. It s just a matter of gravity because water and other substances are going to pool on a flat roof since there isn t anywhere for it to flow. This modest slope can be achieved in a number of ways. For flat roof drainage where you place your drains scuppers and the final material of the roofing is more important.

Each of these systems has its own pros and cons. Poor drainage can lead to serious issues with flat roofing from leaks to structural damage. In addition to a practical leaf trap to prevent blockages flat roof drains are also available as an option in heated versions to secure the functional capability. The one challenge with flat roofing is ensuring proper drainage.

A major maintenance issue shared between all types of roof drains is debris removal. Flat roofs are built with a slight pitch of at least 1 8 per foot so water can drain either to centralized drains scuppers or a gutter system. While one goal of gutters is to drain the water out and away from your home s foundation for structural protection they mainly work as a great solution for home s or commercial buildings with flat roofs. There are roof coating products available if there isn t enough slant or slope to accomplish this.

Keep in mind all flat roofs have a slope of between five and 15 degrees to allow water to flow into drain systems such as eaves drainage holes or outlets. Inner drains are resistant to freezing but can require careful maintenance to prevent problems. The slope should be a minimum of 1 in 80 but in practice a minimum slope of 1 to 40 should be used to allow for deflection of the roof and for normal building tolerances. Of course the best designed flat roof has the correct amount of pitch to drain the water off naturally.

Sloped roofs simply drain water and snow better than flat roofs. Flat roof drains kessel leading in drainage flat roof drains made of ecoguss or polymer.