Is Your Drainage System Ready for Rain?

According to experts, the weather forecast for the summer of 2024 includes a lot of rain – and much of our service area is already experiencing torrential downpours. While some parts of the country will benefit from more rain, a deluge of several inches over the course of an hour is detrimental for nearly everyone. If you are responsible for a commercial roof, it is imperative that it includes an efficient drainage system. Water must be rapidly moved away from the roof surface and into installed drains or gutters to protect the building and prevent damaging leaks.

Here are three important aspects of roof drainage to discuss with your property owner and roofing contractor.

• Downpipes and Gutters: On a commercial property, gutters and downpipes are generally constructed from metal. While you may think steel would be the best option because of its strength, aluminum gutters actually endure water exposure more effectively. Gutters and downpipes should be resistant to rust, which occurs when water exposure causes oxidation. If the drainage system is permitted to rust, the oxidative damage can affect the pipes all the way through the building. Rust can lurk behind walls and wreak expensive damage. Therefore, selecting the right durable, rust-resistant gutters is critical to the overall health of your roof.
• Getting the Water Off the Building: The relationship of the roofing system to its environment should be an essential detail during installation — the roof drainage system must be able to transport the necessary “water load” without harming the soil surrounding the building. No matter the slope of the roof, miscalculating these factors can back up the drainage system and damage the ground below with too much standing or flowing water. Ask a professional roofing contractor to assess the path of the water when it leaves your roof.
• Capacity for Excess Water Volume: As mentioned above, some areas of the country are expected to experience excessive amounts of rain this summer. When this occurs, the installed roof drainage system must have the capacity to effectively handle torrential rain. If the roof drainage system cannot transfer potentially significant amounts of water, the rain can easily begin to pond and instigate leaks. A building owner or property manager should establish a relationship with a roofing contractor who understands what to expect in every season.

Does Your Commercial Property Suffer from Ineffective Drainage?

The physical condition of your gutters and the volume of water processed by the drainage system represent important conversations about your roof. But those aren’t the only aspects to consider. A professional roofing contractor should investigate and assess any leaks caused by roof drainage. While water stains on the interior ceiling warn of a potential issue, they rarely reveal the true extent of the damage behind the building walls.

Unicoat’s management team has over seven decades of hands-on experience in commercial and industrial roof evaluation, maintenance, and repair. We can determine the leak source and assess the condition of the roof drainage system. We will then recommend a repair, replacement, or roof coating solution.

If you have not yet prepared for the rain, contact Unicoat Industrial Roofing as soon as possible. We can inspect your roof and drainage system to ensure that it is functioning as designed and protecting your building from the elements. Be sure to tell us about any specific concerns you may have, and we will make the needed recommendations to ensure your building and roof are prepared for rain.

Unicoat Industrial Roofing installs roof coatings that can meaningfully extend the life of your roof. Before you needlessly replace it, call today to learn more.