Proper Toronto Roof Drainage Can Prevent Leaks and Extend the Lifespan of the Roof
When people entering or walking through a shopping mall, big-box department store, or office complex lobby see water dripping into large pails strategically located around the floor, it would likely lead to an immediate conclusion that the building has a leaky roof. Certainly, such a display is not done for ambience, but it can have the opposite effect of driving shoppers or clients away from that business until any roof repair work gets done.
Although the individual businesses may vary in terms of their products or services, there is one common feature among these commercial properties; they usually have flat roofs. While somewhat easier and less expensive to install than a sloped roof, at least from the standpoint of labour, flat roofs have been known to leak; this is not only inherent in their design but can often be due to poor installation and/or a lack of maintenance, especially in relation to the roof drainage system.
It is important to note that a flat roof should not be perfectly flat; it should have a slight slope toward either an interior or perimeter drainage system. However, proper drainage can be affected by several factors, with the most common consisting of:
- Poor design and/or installation – no slope
- Areas of structural sagging post-installation
- Inadequate number of drains for the roof area
- Drains placed incorrectly or that become blocked
Signs that roof drainage might be ineffective would include one or more of the following:
- Areas of ponding or standing water up to 48 hours after a rainstorm
- Dry, dirt-filled spots (there was ponding water but it has evaporated)
- Evidence of algae formation or vegetation growth in the dirt-filled areas
Consequently, if rain or melted snow is allowed to collect and stand on a flat roof without isolating the cause and resolving the matter, it can have serious implications, including:
- A leaky roof
- Loss of business
- Structural damage
- Reduced lifespan of the roof
- Extensive repair work and costs
Therefore, in order to avoid any such repercussions, and to protect the health, longevity, and optimal performance of their flat roof, commercial property owners and/or managers must ensure that the roof drainage system is correctly installed and suitably maintained.
This can be achieved through a comprehensive roof inspection, particularly if there is any evidence of ponding water and/or a roof leak, as well as all associated repairs by the flat roof specialists at Avenue Road Roofing in Toronto.
A Range of Roof Drainage System Repairs and Solutions for Toronto Properties
In the event that there are issues with any flat roof drainage system, such as ponding or leaks, Avenue Road Roofing can capably implement the appropriate steps to remedy the situation and re-establish roof drainage to optimal levels. These actions can also help to extend the lifespan of the existing roof and avoid the considerable inconvenience and expense of a total roof replacement.
In terms of the types of roof repairs specific to drainage-related issues, the experts from Avenue Road Roofing in Toronto offer a range of solutions, including but not limited to:
- Installing a tapered insulation system
- Restructuring the underlying roof substrate
- Increasing the number of roof drains and/or scuppers
- Replacing existing gutters/downspouts with a higher-capacity system
For additional information on the flat roof repairs provided by Avenue Road Roofing as a means of rectifying or improving the roof drainage for commercial buildings/properties in Toronto, go to our professional flat roof repairs in Toronto page.
If you have concerns about ponding and/or potential leaks in your flat roof due to a poor or ineffective drainage system, call the flat roof repair experts at Avenue Road Roofing in Toronto at 416-785-5129 today or contact us to schedule an inspection as soon as possible.