Water pooling on your oldsmar roof after it rains will eventually cause problems. As a rule, water will flow off the roof into the gutter and downspouts. If the moisture remains it will be evaporated later. However, if you see puddles of water on your roof a long time after a rain, do not dismiss it as the consequence of exceptionally heavy rain.
What causes water pooling on the roof
There are a few issues that may result in water pooling on your roof.
1. Imperfect installation
The installation of the roof membrane is something that needs expertise. If the installation is flawed, the uneven adhesion of the roof membrane will make depressions that harbor water.
2. Imperfect pitching
Even when installing a flat roof,your roof must be pitched enough to facilitate free water flow off. If the pitching is done unscientifically, water pools at places on your roof.
3. Unscientifically fixed rooftop structures
Rooftop structures may obstruct the free flow of water during rains. This will cause the pooling of water at their base. Usually, triangular structures called crickets are fixed on roof-top structures to help the water to flow around them.
4. Incorrect fixing of gutters
If the gutters and downspouts are not fixed properly, the water flow will be obstructed or slowed, causing water to flow sideways or over the gutters. When the water does not flow off easily, it will pool on the side of the roof.
5. Too much traffic on the roof
If people happen to walk on the roof for maintenance or for some rooftop installations, the feet of the workers will produce depressions on the roof membrane. This happens mostly when the roof has passed its prime. However, during the next rain, you are bound to have pools of water all around your roof.
Problems caused by the ponding of water on the roof
1. Bio-growth
The moisture causes bio-growth on the roof. Small plants, moss, algae, and lichens grow abundantly on your roof. This growth, apart from spoiling the beauty of the roof, will cause deterioration of the roof membrane, and eventually, water will seep in destroying the underlying structures.
2. Loose adhesives
If water pools where the roof membrane is stuck with adhesives, it may destroy the adhesion, and the fabric would come loose. This will destroy the roofing material aging it prematurely.
3. Debris accumulation
Dust particles and other debris will accumulate in the stagnant water to form mud-like guck. This is detrimental to the roofing material and should be cleaned immediately.
4. Staining
When water pools on the roof for a long time, a deep stain develops. This becomes an eyesore.
5. Insects
Mosquitoes are the usual insects that breed in stagnant water. Besides them, maggots of other insects also may develop in the pool. These insects will sooner or later enter your house creating a real nuisance.
6. Birds
Birds come to drink water. As it is, they won’t do much harm but bird-droppings will not be a pleasant prospect.
7. Sun damage
The pool of water on the roof acts as a lens and magnifies the effect of the sun. This means the UV rays of the sun becomes more active on the roof membrane. This will lead to early aging of the roof.
Solution
First of all, you should understand that the ponding of water is not an urgent problem like other roof problems. The effect of this problem is slow but steady. So the essential requirement is to find an expert roofer. Problems in the installation should be corrected. If the pitching is flawed, an expert can resolve this problem. The gutters should be corrected so that water drains immediately after the rain. If the seams of the roof membrane have come loose, fresh adhesives should be applied, and the membrane should be affixed properly. Before re-fixing the membrane, it should be straightened without creases.