How Do Flat Roofs Drain Rainwater?

Flat roofs are just great, right? Imagine having a rooftop garden where you can lounge around after a stressful day, taking in the views of your town. Not only do you get the added benefit of extra living space for your house, but flat roofs are also a lot cheaper and easier to maintain. 

But, as always, there are a few drawbacks. Weather can damage it. Blisters, cracks, and leaks are very common in flat roofs. What can you do then? As with everything, maintenance and good care are key to ensure the best results possible. 

Having a good draining system is crucial for taking full advantage of your flat roof and minimizing the maintenance costs and possible damages. Up next, we’ll go through some of the most common and effective ways to drain your flat roof!

Inner Drains

In commercial roofing, inner draining systems are the most common. Drainage pipes are placed under the roof or in the parapet wall to make sure they don’t disturb the cleanness of the roof’s look. They’re mostly placed at the center of the roof, and they’re the most appropriate for big roofs.

Pros

• The drains are completely hidden. 
• Since they’re hidden, they’re protected from the outdoors, minimizing the risks of bursting or cracking. 
• This system protects your walls from water damage.

Cons

• They’re relatively costly. 
• Even though they’re less susceptible to damage, if any damage occurs, you’ll need to reach out to a professional roofing company. 

Gutters

Gutters are simply a through that is placed on the edge of the roof that drains the excess water. They are the most commonly used draining systems due to their price and ease of installation.

Pros

• As we said before, it’s really cheap to install. 
• These draining systems are the best at keeping water away from them, preventing water damage. 

Cons

• They’re susceptible to damage from heavy debris and severe weather.
• With time, they can eventually pull away from fascia boards.

Siphonic Roof Drain

This draining system is one of the most effective ways to keep your roofs dry. It sucks water out of your roof to a drain at a high velocity. This creates a vacuum, making the drainage process fast, efficient, and debris-free since there’s no air within the pipes. 

Pros

• As we said before, the lack of air in the pipes ensures a quick and debris-free drain.
• It requires little maintenance. 

Cons

• They can get pricey.