Do Flat Roofs Always Leak, Or Is It A Myth?

When it comes to roof leakage, there is no universal law that states that a flat roof will always leak and a sloped roof won't. The reality is you can avoid leakage issues when you take care of the required factors. However, there is no doubt, as compared to sloped roofs, flat roofs face the leakage issue more often.

Various factors play a vital role in the quality and lifespan of a roof. Many things might cause leaks in your flat roof, and one of these is simply being older. It's possible that your roof has deteriorated over time and will eventually fail, causing rainfall to seep into your structure. 

Most flat roof leaks occur around the roof's edge, vents, and plumbing stacks. If you pay attention to all the required details, you can easily reduce and even eliminate the risk of leakage.

Why Do Flat Roofs Leak?

When you have to solve any problem, the best thing you can do is find out the root cause that creates the problem. When you know the reason for making the roof leak from any part, you can get rid of that. There can be one of these reasons that make your roof leak.

1. Bad Slope

Even though the name suggests it is flat, there must be little slope to allow water to fall off like we construct our bathroom floor. The floor is also flat, but a little slope allows water to flow in a direction to move towards the drain. The same is with the roof slope; if they are designed poorly, it will make the roof leak.

2. Inexperienced Labor

House construction is a very sensitive matter, and if you be a victim of poor or inexperienced labor, that can put your life at risk. Always hire contractors with enough experience and have done many projects in the past. Failing to hire a good contractor is one of the main reasons for a bad roof.

3. Low-Quality Material

You cannot afford to go for cheap materials for house construction or renovation. Saving a few bucks in purchasing quality material will cost you more instead of doing any good. It will cause leakage, but it can put the lives of your family members at risk.

4. Poor Maintenance

After the construction is completed, now it becomes the household people's responsibility to take care of maintenance. Many flat roofs can leak if you do not take care of keeping the roof clean, and garbage stays on the roof for an extended period. It can divert water away from your home's roof or keep it from draining. Clean your flat roof regularly, but avoid pushing dirt into the drains.

5. Poor Drainage

You must pay keen attention to the drainage system and make it clean. Additionally, you will need to check if any clogs prevent water from draining properly. Listen to the sound of your knuckles against the metal drain pipes. If the sound of the pipe is dull, there is a buildup of junk inside.

6. Poor Construction

Flat roofs with single-ply membranes are more vulnerable to water damage and roof traffic than multi-ply membranes. More significant leaks might occur when water seeps through a damaged membrane. Leaks can occur if the water sits on your roof for more than 48 hours following a storm. Plumbing vents, pipes, and other structural components are examples of these structures.

Conclusion

Many people like flat roofs more than sloped roofs for various reasons, but since the leakage issue is quite common with flat roofs, most people step back. There is no guarantee that a flat roof will leak, and a sloped roof won't if the reason is poor construction or poor materials. However, you can have a flat roof in your home while taking care of the required factors to ensure that the roof won't leak.