Valdosta Commercial Roofing
Leak repair

Ponding water correction

Water still sitting 48 hours after rain is the industry's working definition of ponding, and it is a problem rather than a cosmetic issue. It adds dead load, accelerates membrane breakdown, and sits on seams continuously until one gives. The cause is almost always a drainage fault or a deflection in the deck rather than the membrane, so patching the leak that eventually appears without correcting the fall means doing it again.

Call (706) 696-1888

What the job involves

  • Survey of ponding extent and depth after rainfall
  • Drain, scupper and outlet inspection for blockage or capacity
  • Assessment of deck deflection versus original falls
  • Tapered insulation or cricket design where fall is the cause
  • Membrane condition check in the ponded area

Signs you need it

  • Standing water more than 48 hours after rain
  • Tide marks or algae growth on the membrane
  • Deflection visible across the deck between structural lines

Where we cover

Each area has its own page for ponding water correction.

Questions

Is ponding actually harmful?

Yes, in three ways. It loads the structure — water weighs about five pounds per square foot per inch of depth. It degrades most membranes faster under constant immersion. And it sits on seams continuously, which is where it eventually gets in.

Can ponding be fixed without replacing the roof?

Usually. Most ponding traces to blocked or undersized drainage, which is straightforward. Where it is genuine deck deflection, tapered insulation or crickets can restore fall over the affected area without touching the rest of the roof.

Related work

Describe what you are seeing

Low-slope roofs in this climate fail at details rather than in the field, and the damage is usually well advanced before water reaches a tenant space.

Call (706) 696-1888
Call (706) 696-1888