Flat Roof Leaking After Heavy Snow

Excessive rain heavy snow and built up ice all pose extra challenges for flat roofed homes.

Flat roof leaking after heavy snow.

If your roof vent leaks during heavy rain the rain may be blowing up under the hood and into the vent. This article will discuss three of the most common causes of flat commercial roof leaks. Heavy snow mixed with sleet and ice puts stress on your roof. The steeper your roof pitch the more ice it takes to create interior leaking see ice dam case study 09.

First the good news. Metal roofs can experience corrosion over time so some homeowners may be experiencing roof leaks simply because of wear and tear from their metal roofs. Almost every home built over the last several decades is equipped with roofs that satisfy building codes for heavy snowfalls in that part of the country. If you own a commercial property that has a flat roof and would like to educate yourself about the threat of roof leaks then read on.

While not frequent per se the low slope of a flat roof does make it more prone to certain problems particularly when it interacts with the elements. When that happens the first thing to know is that it s not about the amount or depth of snow on your roof it s about the weight. If you have a low slope roof area accumulations as little as 1 thick can cause problems. Light fluffy snow is generally no problem for a well constructed home.

We counted 90 stalagmites on the surface of the ice rink from drips coming from the leaking roof. Flat roof leaks are among the most common and the most undesirable. Some metal building manufacturers will not warranty a roof with a 1 4 inch slope. Ponding water leads to leaks.

So the chances of roof damage from too much snowpack are minimal after a single snow event. Likewise a heavy blanket of snow can hide the significance of an ice dam making it hard to ascertain it s size. If a roof leaks whether it has rained heavily or not then there is a good chance that there is an easily identifiable eg broken roof tile or hole in roof cause. But some roof air vents sit fairly flat to the roof with a mushroom style hood and unprotected sides.

But they also come with a reputation for leaks cracks and collapse. This is a particularly difficult problem to fix during seasons with heavy rain which can cause additional damage to a corroded roof. Metal roofs leak under these circumstances. Heavy wet icy snow is where homeowners start to encounter problems.