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How Does A Flat Roof Drain?
Daniel Bracewell • Nov 16, 2020
When we think about installing a flat roof in a building, one of the first questions that is commonly asked is how water is drained off of the roof.
Unlike a pitched roof, where there are clear and obvious slopes that carry water to gutters and drains, a flat roof does not appear to have a slope at all, particularly if it is designed to be used as an outdoor space.
As draining is vital to ensuring that a roof isn’t damaged, here are some of the clever ways flat roof specialists have helped avoid standing water on roofs.
Flat Roofs Aren’t Technically Flat
One of the more simple ways in which a flat roof avoids drainage issues is simply not to be flat.
According to the UK building regulations approved document H, a roof must have a gradient of 1 in 80.
This makes for an ever so slight incline, but enough to enable water to gradually flow to one end of the roof where it can be picked up by a gutter or scupper.
Flat roof specialists
work to ensure the gradient is enough to reliably remove water but not too much to make it noticeable to anyone walking on it.
Gutters, Drains and Scuppers
Once you flow water to one side of a roof, the next step is to remove it. The typical route to take is the same one pitched roofs do, which is to install a gutter system at one side and drain the water out that way.
However, in some case a roof may require additional drainage, so internal drains, which drain water underneath the roof and carry it through the building into the sewer are an option.
Scuppers can also be used in some cases, which are simple openings that quickly shoot water off a building, wither directly off a building or into a lower drain.
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If you are considering a flat roof extensio n, your primary goal may be to create a larger space below it for various potential uses, be it storage, a home working space, a playroom for the children, or a larger kitchen, among others. But it’s also worth thinking about the space on top. A flat roof can offer an extra outdoor space in an elevated position with a range of possible uses. It could be a place to sit out on in the manner of a balcony, or somewhere to put plants. But you could go further and actually grow your own food on it. This idea may come as a surprise to those who might imagine the rooftop space would only be suited for a few colourful flowers. But there are various vegetables you could grow up there, even though you won’t be able to lay down a deep soil layer. As Horticulture Magazine notes, there are certain things you need to be able to do to create any successful rooftop garden. The roof must be able to bear the weight of the plants and soil. It must be accessible, and you will need somewhere to store gardening tools. The roof must be located where it can get plenty of direct sunlight. If you can tick off these boxes, you can look to plant fruit, veg and herbs that won’t be too heavy and also don’t need too much water, as the exposure to wind at higher elevation and thinner soil will mean plants dry out faster. You certainly won’t be planting any apple trees up there, but there is much you can still grow. A YouGov survey conducted in 2022 found that a third of Britons grow some of their own food. For many, this is a matter of using space in a conventional garden or having a plot in the local allotment. But if you lack access to these, a flat roof may provide an alternative and allow you to join them in growing your own fruit and veg.
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Some may joke about Manchester having a wet climate, but the almost incessant rain around these parts has been less out of the ordinary than in other parts of Britain, while the last 18 months have been the wettest on record across England. Notwithstanding the El Nino effect currently impacting global weather, which is a regular and natural cycle, the expectation is that this is part of a new normal, especially as the last year has brought record worldwide temperatures every month. In this warmer climate model, winters will be wetter and summers drier . If you have flat roofing , you may wonder how this may fit with such a change, not least as some might think the lack of a sloping roof for rain to run off is a bad idea to start with. However, with the right maintenance in place, you may find such a roof is actually suited to a warmer climate. What you will certainly need is good drainage , with a flat roof drainage system that has the capacity to deal with a lot of rain. Key features should be having two outlets in case one gets blocked. Not only will this stop large pools of water from forming, but it will also help protect against ice damage in winter (although a warmer climate will mean less freezing and less snow, this will still happen sometimes). You may also need more regular maintenance because winters will bring more storms, so the dangers of damage caused by flying and falling debris will be greater. This may also increase the risk of drainage system blockages. However, it is not all about handling bad weather news. There may be some upsides you can enjoy too. Hotter and drier summers create an opportunity to make your roof into an area you can enjoy spending time out on, rather like an apartment balcony. It will need to be sturdy enough to take your weight and that of the furniture. At the same time, you will need to bear in mind there will be more wear and tear if feet and furnishings are on it regularly.