What Ponding Means for Commercial Roofs

Even the best constructed commercial facilities will eventually show some signs of wear and tear, including on the roof. Commercial roofs are designed to offer resilient performance in the face of the elements, but they are not invincible, and there are lots of problems that come up with commercial roofs over time.

Ponding is one of the most common problems associated with commercial flat roofing, but a lot of business owners don’t know exactly what ponding is or how to address the problem. Keep reading for more information about ponding and what to do about it.

What is ponding?

As the name suggests, ponding is an issue that’s characterized by the pooling of water on a flat roof. Ponding essentially results in water collecting at the low points of the roof. In a commercial roof that’s designed properly and maintained regularly, water from rainfall drains effectively to prevent any accumulation. In most cases, ponding is caused by a flaw in roof design or installation that prevents effective drainage. Ponding is most noticeable when there is heavy precipitation, but ponding on roofs can last for weeks and cause extensive damage to a commercial flat roofing system.

Problems caused by ponding

There are a lot of problems that can be caused by ponding on commercial roofs. One of the biggest problems with ponding is that it creates an environment that attracts insects and promotes the growth of mold, mildew and algae. Ponding leaves standing water on roofs that quickly becomes stagnant and serves as a breeding ground for insects like mosquitoes. Over time, algae, mold and mildew can all deteriorate flat roofing membranes and lead to extensive damage that reduces the lifespan of a roof and leads to structural problems.

In addition to vegetation and insects, ponding also leads to increased stress on your roof. For one thing, standing water can intensify the negative effects of UV exposure and accelerate wear and tear on flat roofs. In addition, the weight of the water that ponds on a commercial roof can put excessive stress on the roofing system as well as the structure of the building itself. These issues contribute to more frequent roof problems and more expensive maintenance costs.

How to deal with ponding

Unfortunately, ponding is usually caused by problems with the design and installation of the roof. The good news is that there are solutions out there, short of replacing the entire roof, that can effectively address the problem of commercial roof ponding. Some roofing technicians use special materials to adjust roof drainage and reduce ponding. For the best solution for your needs, contact a roofing professional to arrange a consultation.

Local commercial roofer

If your commercial building is showing signs of ponding, reach out to R & H Roofing, LLP to get assistance from a local commercial roofer whom you can trust. Our team of roofers specializes in comprehensive commercial roofing services. We offer everything from basic roof repair to comprehensive re-roofing, and we have a reputation for the quality of our services. Reach out to our team today to get started with a consultation and quote.

Categorised in: Commercial Roofing

This post was written by Writer