Water drainage from the roof is one of the biggest issues that flat-roof buildings can face.

Flat roofs need a drainage system for dirt, trash, and rain.

Since there are multiple choices, it’s essential to research and write down all the pros and cons before deciding.

If you’re not familiar with stagnant water and why it is super important to have a sustainable drainage system for your home, keep reading.

Wondering What Standing Water Is?

Standing (also known as stagnant) water is water that builds up and stagnates on the surface of a roof for longer than 48 hours.

It’s a common but, unfortunately, not a harmless issue.

To be more precise, it’s the most common reason for serious home or commercial property damage.

Often, it’s a product of poor roof design, poorly installed flat roof drains, lack of drainage, or rubber roofs with multiple layers and owners most often don’t know about is so when an issue occurs they usually don’t know why it happened.

Why Do You Need Drains for Flat Roofs in the First Place?

Unlike sloped roofs that naturally facilitate water runoff, flat roofs require drains to ensure water doesn’t build up and cause issues.

If you don’t have a drainage system, you could encounter issues such as;

• Leaks or structural problems
• Material buildup, including twigs and leaves
• Damage to roof structures like chimneys
  And more.

All of these problems eventually result in damage that requires flat roof repair so it’s always our suggestion to think about a drainage system that would suit best for your building.

Gutters

Gutters are definitely one possible solution.

To install gutters, the roof must slope towards them so water can easily flow into them. This is a cost-effective solution, as gutters prevent soil erosion and safeguard your home’s foundation.

The lifespan of gutters depends on the material used so the better the material, the longer it lasts. The downside is that gutters are fully open, therefore the possibility of clogging is high but not impossible.

With regular maintenance and cleaning, there won’t be any problems.

Scuppers

Another option for draining flat roofs in Chicago, IL is through scuppers.

Scuppers are openings located in the outer walls of buildings. They allow water to flow from the edges into downspouts installed directly beneath them. The purpose of downspouts is to keep moisture away from the walls. They are efficient solution and easy to maintain.

The downside is similar to gutters: you need to have regular maintenance. They can easily get clogged or freeze due to their exposure.

Inner Drains

As the name suggests, the roofer contractor installs inner drains within the roof or parapet wall. A parapet wall is siding around the edge of the roof.

Imagine these drains as the drains found in your sink, usually located in the middle of the rooftop. If you are not a fan of your pipes being exposed to everyone, this is a great aesthetic solution as it’s not visible.

These drains are positioned in central areas and connected to pipes underneath the roof. This way, drained water goes straight to the sewer.

Another great thing about them is they are incredibly well-insulated, which prolongs their lifespan. They are also found on commercial properties because they are the best solution for large roofs.

Roof Crickets

Another significant component for flat roof drains are crickets. In terms of commercial roofing, they are almost always made out of insulation.

A cricket, also known as a diverter or saddler, is a triangular structure whose purpose is to redirect water from certain areas where it can be trapped. Roofers usually place them around HVAC installations, drains, and near walls.

When correctly installed crickets are effective in protecting against stagnant water issues.

The downside of traditional roof crickets in terms of installation is that they can be time-consuming, require more specialized skills, and are more expensive than prefabricated crickets.

The downside of prefabricated cricket, on the other hand, is that they are pre-made and easy to install, but they may not fit your roof perfectly.

Be sure to consult with your roofer about your wishes, needs, and budget, and professional roofers such as Revived Exteriors will be happy to take this into account and create a custom-made solution just for you.

Whatever Your Decision, Drains Are Necessary for Your Roof’s Life

Every type of commercial roofing system has its own set of needs. Flat roofs are no exception.

Be sure to get your drainage system in place and protect the condition of your property’s roof for years to come. Quality materials, good strategy, and roof experts give you the right combo for your roof and building to thrive!

With Revived Exteriors, you can have it all! Call us, and let us do the work – we are your company for commercial roofing in Chicago.

At some point in your life, if you ever owned property, you’ve probably come across the term “single-ply roof.” But do you know what it means when a roof is made of single-ply material? If not, or if you’re still not sure what this type of roof entails, we’ll explain in our own way so you can understand once and for all. The reason why it’s called a single-ply roof is because it is comprised of a single waterproofing layer or, in other words, “ply.”

As we find ourselves halfway through 2023, the TPO roof is gaining more and more popularity with each passing day. This is not that surprising, and we’ll see why as we delve deeper into the topic. Also, if your roof has suffered the aftermath of commercial roof damage or you’re just simply seeking preventive information, this blog might help you.

What Does TPO Stand For?

So, what is TPO roofing? Put simply, TPO is the abbreviation of Thermoplastic Polyolefin. This material is a form of single-ply roofing membrane that blends synthetics and reinforcing scrim. The TPO membrane is also laminated, which means that the top and bottom surfaces are not the same.

What Is So Special About TPO Roofing Material?

Even though single-ply membrane roofing materials can also consist of EPDM and PVC, TPO stands out above the rest. The hidden advantage lies in the fact that TPO roofing is made of a mixture of various materials, which allows the material to withstand harsh and extreme weather conditions.

Why Thermoplastic Roofing Membrane?

To better understand why you should opt for thermoplastic, let’s compare EPDM and TPO roofs. Imagine this; you’ve decided to buy an EPDM roof, and you start the installation process with hot air. After a while, you might notice that the material tends to change its shape, and therefore it cannot be joined by using hot air welding. This might pose a problem, but that’s why TPO comes into play, along with PVC, which cools down and helps regain the roof’s initial structure.

One more benefit includes resistance. This means that if you want to increase tear resistance, you’re in luck, because the majority of thermoplastic roof membranes incorporate a reinforcing layer known as a scrim that straightens the membrane.

How to Install TPO Roofing

Since the TPO roof is a single-ply membrane, it can be fastened easier and quicker, which is a huge benefit. There are three methods to fasten a TPO roof – mechanical attachment, ballast, and full adherence. Now that you know how a TPO roof can be secured, let’s look at the installation process:

Step 1: Purchase All Necessary Equipment and Prepare the Surface

You can’t start a project unprepared. Thus, make sure you have everything you need on hand before you start – measuring tape, seam roller, hot air gun, insulation boards, TPO membrane sheets, etc. After you’ve gathered all you need, remove any debris from the roof, dirt, or anything in the way. Also, don’t forget to check if there’s any damage. If there is, make sure to repair it.

Step 2: Install Insulation and Cut Vents or Pipes (if Needed)

Whenever you’re installing insulation, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Another tip that might help is to apply the foam in both directions to spread it evenly. Regarding cutting vents and pipes, you might not have to do this step. This step should only be involved if you’re working on a new roof or restoration.

Step 3: Start the Installation of the Membrane

Finally, we come to the exciting part of installing TPO roofs. After you’ve done all the steps above, it’s time to roll out the TPO membrane. When doing this, make sure to leave the excess to overhang on all sides. Also, keep in mind that the surface should be smooth, without wrinkles or bubbles.

Step 4: Final inspection, Maintenance, and Care

As a final step, seal edges and flashing correctly to avert water infiltration. After the membrane installation, inspect the roof system and secure the flashing. Since TPO membrane requires minimal maintenance, ensure regular inspections, cleaning, debris removal, damage checks, and prompt repairs.

Not Skilled Enough to Install a TPO Roofing Membrane On Your Own? Revived Exteriors Is a Roofing Company You Can Count On!

Alongside our standard 5-year workmanship warranty, we are capable of giving a warranty on labor and material for an impressive 50 years, referred to as the Systems Plus Warranty. In addition, we give you the opportunity to extend the workmanship warranty for either 10 or 25 extra years at an additional cost, supported by GAF. Rely on our services and make sure you get the best roofing services in Arlington Heights, IL.