How Roof Drainage Design Prevents Water Damage on Vancouver Flat Roofs

There are a number of drainage options available for commercial flat roof installations on Vancouver buildings. Each performs a specific role in moving water off the roof. Most are familiar, drains, scuppers and gutters for example. There’s also siphonic drainage which works well on industrial roofs. Which system is chosen can depend on roof size & compartmentalisation, low-slope degree and how diligent one is regarding commercial roof maintenance.

Drainage operation on flat roofs

• Drains - collect water from different places around the roof
• Scuppers - collect water from edges of roof
• Gutters - direct water from edges to the ground
• Siphon - very efficient removal of water using siphoning effect

Each system directs rain off the roof to prevent ponding, which is the pooling of water that will damage the roof if not addressed. Ponding water causes all kinds of issues, including deterioration of roofing material, structural weakening of the roof, a higher likelihood of leaks, plus potential mold growth. So having working drainage systems is crucial to the health and longevity of flat roofs as well as your roofing budget.

Flat roofs rely on different kinds of drainage to ensure water escapes the roof. For instance, drains are installed anywhere from the centre outward during a roof installation. Scuppers are found at points along the edges of a roof They work similarly to gargoyles on medieval buildings, only without the menacing stone visage. They direct water to downspouts which run to the ground. Gutters run along the edges, as on a house, and direct water to downspouts so it can drain at ground level. Siphonic drainage systems are built to take advantage of the vacuum effect of a siphon, rather than relying on gravity the way drains do. As a result, piping is smaller and runs parallel to the roof instead of on a downward slope, which saves space. These systems are also much faster and more efficient. 

Given the sheer amount of rain we get, we cannot overstate how important these different drainage systems are for preventing water damage on Vancouver flat roofs. Likewise, commercial roof maintenance is critical to keep them operating as they need to to prevent expensive repairs. Schedule regular maintenance checks with a professional commercial roofing company and never worry about it again.

Laurentian Roofing professionals offer high-quality, cost-minded installations, repairs, and maintenance for commercial roofs in Vancouver. Setting up a maintenance plan is quick and easy. Call 604-345-7663 for more information.