Ponding Water Epdm Roof Leak

As defined by the national roofing contractors association ponding is characterized as any water that remains on the roof for longer than 48 hours following precipitation.

Ponding water epdm roof leak.

Moisture found in ponding areas has caused decay of organic felts built up roofs algae growth light colored roofs granule loss modified bitumen roofs and premature curing and surface cracking non vulcanized thermoplastic membranes. A small cut or puncture in a roofing membrane may cause minor damage on a well drained roof surface but the same puncture located in an area of standing water may allow significant water infiltration causing damage to the roof insulation roof deck and building contents. Ideally the roof should be designed with a slight slope. Ponding or standing water is where the water collects on the roof and has not drained within a couple of days.

If the water does not drain within a 48 hour period it is highly likely that it will stay even longer and there will be a larger amount of water standing. The roofing manager insists that this is not a problem and because there is a continuous layer of epdm and no joins it is perfectly acceptable and it will never leak. But if the water is pooling the pooled water is looking for the lowest place it can go. The most obvious problem with ignoring ponding water is that it can lead to leaks.

Stress on the post s base and surrounding epdm would say that ponding water is damaging things. This moisture has absolutely no affect on epdm membrane. We illustrate how choice of the wrong roof edge flashing combined with wrinkles in the original epdm installation led to both frequent maintenance and frequent leaks in the original roof. From there the water will be directed off your roof.

Often i see where these posts are literally nailed through the epdm to attach them to the roof. This article describes an epdm roof installation study roof repair history spanning fourteen years from original rubber roof installation and the mistakes shortcuts that led to leaks and trouble to an extensive tear off and re roof repair that was made along the entire problem roof s lower edge. He further suggests that they could ballast the roof if i pay for the stones so that the ponding would not be seen. Ponding water can exacerbate problems for all roofing systems.

Water always looks for the lowest place it can go if water is properly draining from your roof it will quickly find the lowest spot on your roof which should be a gutter or drain. Eventually the ponding water spots on an epdm roof will cause leakage issues. The longer that these puddles sit without evaporating the more an issue they will begin to cause. Um you might not want to puncture a synthetic rubber membrane.