No access to roof...

[Keith Swift, PhD.]

A friend of mine continued to have leaks on a flat roofed section of the house, and three or four roofing contractors made various attempts to "cure the problem." Finally, I was contracted to install a pitched roof over this portion and, indeed the rest of the house. It looked better, and worked better. Many flat roofs are pitched one-quarter inch per foot and drain well. However, most of the ones that I inspect in Los Angeles are indeed flat, and most hold water somewhere, and there's nothing more skillful at getting inside a house than water. Ask yourself: who's the first person that will be called when a roof does leak? And I don't care what your disclaimer says; that's human nature, and one of the "givens' in our business. Nuff said.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by kswift

A friend of mine continued to have leaks on a flat roofed section of the house, and three or four roofing contractors made various attempts to "cure the problem." Finally, I was contracted to install a pitched roof over this portion and, indeed the rest of the house. It looked better, and worked better. Many flat roofs are pitched one-quarter inch per foot and drain well. However, most of the ones that I inspect in Los Angeles are indeed flat, and most hold water somewhere, and there's nothing more skillful at getting inside a house than water. Ask yourself: who's the first person that will be called when a roof does leak? And I don't care what your disclaimer says; that's human nature, and one of the "givens' in our business. Nuff said.

Understand your frustrations toward flat roofs, Keith.

I am not trying to convince you that Flat roofs is the way to go.
The must important part of Flat roofs is the fact, they are not flat.

As you well stated, they should pitch to a drain via tapered insulation so there is no standing water. Besides the fact that ponding water etc. 20' x 20' 1" deep could way as much as 1 ton.

I would not advocate a Flat Roof when there is an other alternative.

The means and the methods used to install flat roofs, especially membrane roof, varies throughout the Country. The one's best served are the one's monitored and inspected by the Manufacturers.
That is the point I have been trying to make. If left to the local Roofing Contractors to simulate, it will sure as hell become a disaster. I know, it happens here all the time.
Amazing how one bad roofer of flat roofs can ruin the reputation of flat roofs.

Doesn't that sound like a bad Building Contractor that ruins it for all Contractors?

A trick I picked up over the years to find a leak in single membrane roofing, is that after a rain, you walk the roof when dry, and look for a wet spec the size of a pencil point. If there is a pin hole in the membrane, it will have a wet ring around it.

Flashing leaks perhaps, bring a garden hose on the roof and flood different areas at a time. Most likely you will find it. Start at the drains and work your way up.

I know I have not convince you for flat roofs, but that is alright.

You sure know how to right good books.

Thanks.

Marcel
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[wforsyth]

Marcel, I think the rubber roofing you posted the pics of probably is much better than the kind most people think of when talking about flat roofs. Thanks for posting that.

[Keith Swift, PhD.]

Marcel, you sure know how to be positive, and a force for "good." Thanks.

[lewens]

Marcel
I can only agree with Keith. There are two kinds of flat roofs, those that leak and those that have not started to leak yet.
Larry

[Marcel R. Cyr]

That's OK Larry, we all agree with someone or something.

I am just lucky to be able to work with one of the best flat Roofing Contractor in the State on my Commercial jobs. Strict adherence to FireStone's recommendations.

Marcel
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