What to Do When a Flat Roof Is Pooling Water

Whether on a residential or commercial structure, a flat roof pooling water is a major red flag. While flat roofs are made of water-resistant materials, they’re made to stand up to heavy rains, not standing water. But with low-sloped roofing systems, stagnant water is always a risk, especially during Florida’s rainy season.

Luckily, PITCH Roofing is here to help. Founded by veteran Florida roofers with over 60 years of combined experience, we’ve got a crew of local roofing experts who have dealt with pooling water on flat roofs for decades. Now, let’s put our expertise to good use and tell you everything you need to know about why your roof is pooling water and what you can do about it.

Why Is Your Roof Pooling Water Dangerous?

If you’re not familiar with how roofing systems work, it’s easy to dismiss the dangers of a puddle forming on your roof. But this is much more than an aesthetic issue. For one thing, water is surprisingly heavy, especially as it gathers. Even a small section of water pooling on your roof can add significant weight to your roofing system, weight that it isn’t designed to support. The result is often a leak or, even worse, roof sagging, which can cause significant structural damage.

Even without the dangers of added weight, water will degrade your roofing materials over time. Whether you have an EPDM, TPO, or modified bitumen flat roof, none of them can stand up to ponding water long-term. Over time, the water will eat through your materials, loosening their seams and finding its way into your roofing system.

There are also surface issues to consider. Water is a breeding ground for moss and algae, which can stain your roof and further damage your materials. Water also attracts pests that are looking for a drink, and if your roof has even a small hole from the water damage, there’s every chance that they’ll find their way inside your roofing system. More than once we’ve seen homes infested with mosquitoes due to a roof pooling water.

Clearly, a leak is far from the greatest concern when it comes to ponding water on a roof. But if this is such a big problem for flat roofs, then why is it also one of the most common issues that roofers see on these roofing systems?

Why Your Roof Is Pooling Water

Without looking at your roof ourselves, we can’t say with certainty what’s causing water to pond. But with our experience, we’re more than familiar with the common culprits. If you’re seeing signs that your roof is pooling water, it’s likely due to one of the following causes:

• Errors During Installation: Despite the name, flat roofs are more accurately low-slope roofs. They should not be perfectly flat. If your roof was not installed with the minimal slope required by county ordinances, then roof ponding is all but inevitable.
• Clogged Drains: Sometimes water ponding is due to a simple clog in your gutter system. Without proper drainage, water has nowhere to go and no way to get off your roofing system. If you’re seeing water pooling on your roof, check to make sure your gutters and drains are working as intended.
• Foot Traffic: Most flat roofing systems cannot regularly support a person’s weight. So when someone walks on your roof, they can leave behind indentations where water can collect. These spots grow over time, leading to larger issues with water ponding.
• Loss of Slope: Over time, buildings “settle” into place. This, alongside storm damage to your roof, can reduce the slope of your roof. Once your roof is well and truly flat, there’s no easy way for the water to drain.

No matter what the cause of your water ponding is, you can bet that our experienced roofers have seen it before and know how to help.

Getting Help for Water Ponding on a Flat Roof

Fixing water pooling on your roof is not a DIY roof repair; it’s going to require professional help. The professional crew at PITCH is ready and waiting to take a look at your roof, identify the cause of your problem, and devise a plan of attack that’s tailored to your problem, your roof, and your budget. Because for us, flat roof repairs are never one-size-fits-all.

When working on your roof, our crew is always respectful and courteous of your space. While roofing work will always generate some noise, we ensure that disruptions are kept to a minimum and our customers are always aware of when they can expect roofers on their property. This minimizes disruptions to commercial operations as well as keeps things easy and convenient for homeowners.

By combining exceptional workmanship with clear, consistent customer communication, we take the hassle and guesswork out of the roofing process. When we’re finished fixing your water pooling issue, we’ll clean up your roof and your yard of any debris or scrap materials. Because at PITCH, we want to leave your property even better than we found it.

You don’t just have to take our word for it that we’re dependable roofing contractors, though. See for yourself when you sign up for a free roofing estimate.

Get a Free Flat Roof Repair Estimate

Water pooling on your roof can be a major issue, especially if it’s allowed to go on. That’s why reaching out for help ASAP is the best way to prevent large-scale issues and damage to both the interior and exterior of your structure. No matter what’s causing your flat roof to retain water, getting help starts with signing up for a free roof repair estimate.

Call us at 727-677-4824 or fill out our contact form for your free, no-obligation estimate. While every roofer offers quotes, nobody does them quite like PITCH. Our estimates are always itemized, meaning we walk you through every part of the roof repair. This way there’s no guesswork about what’s included in your repairs, no hidden fees, and no cut corners.

If your flat roof is pooling water, reach out to the veteran Florida roofers at PITCH. We’ve got deep roots in our local community, and nobody knows Florida roofing needs better than we do. Give us the opportunity to earn your business and see for yourself how easy roof repairs can be with a little Roofing Done Right!