According to commercial and residential roofing service providers, proper drainage is important for flat roofs. After all, the rainwater will have to be redirected away from your building to prevent the roof from sustaining moisture damage. To that end, it’s vital that you pick the right kind of roof drainage for your low-slope roof.

Here are the four kinds of roof drainage that you can install on a commercial roofing system.

1. Gutter systems – Whenever you hear the term “gutter systems”, most tend to think that they’re only viable for houses. This isn’t exactly the case as they’re also suitable for low-slope roofs that have a slope greater than 2%. However, keep in mind that gutters will require frequent cleaning to prevent the build up of debris that can cause the gutters to overflow.
2. Inner roof drains – For flat roofs, experts recommend that you install inner roof drains to hide them from sight and install a low section or channel to collect the water. This channel would then feed the water to a concealed drain that leads to an underground drainage system to prevent the water from pooling on your roof. While these drains are resistant to freezing, keep in mind that they require careful maintenance to prevent damage.
3. Scupper drains – Another kind of drainage that you can have your roofing contractors install on your flat roof are scupper drains, which are open holes that are cut into the roof’s edge. When you install a scupper drain, the roof will be sloped toward the scuppers to drain water through them. These scuppers will then drain into a downspout on your building’s exterior, diverting water away from your roof.
4. Siphonic roof drain – On the other hand, you can also consider installing a siphonic roof drain on your flat roof, which utilizes siphoning as a drainage mechanism. This results in faster drainage compared to any other kind of roof drain.

Need an expert roofer to do some work on your commercial roof? Simply turn to Exterior Building Solutions. Give us a call at (314) 470-8783 or fill out our contact form to get a free assessment. We serve homeowners in St Louis and other nearby areas in the state of Missouri.