How Do You Avoid Water Ponding On A Flat Roof?

Daniel Bracewell • 20 September 2024

An old saying of pharmacists and doctors alike is that an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure, and it is a concept that can be applied to all walks of life.

Whilst it was intended to impart the virtues of preventative medicine, it applies very much to the world of flat roofs; a roof that is built properly with the help of specialists in a way that is designed to channel water away and be easily maintained will never face a common concern about flat roofs.

Because the slope of a flat roof is more shallow than a pitched roof, a common worry is that the slope could be insufficient to channel water away in the event of a particularly harsh rainstorm, but in reality, water pooling is often not just a problem in itself but a symptom of a more fundamental issue with your property.

When building your flat roof, you must design the roof structure with effective drainage in mind, with an incline steep enough for the size of the roof to allow water to effectively be channelled into properly designed and placed gutters and drains.

It also allows you to choose with the help of experts the right waterproofing materials for you that help to not only stop water from entering the building but also avoid damage due to heat and UV that can cause degradation over enough time.

They can also ensure that your roof has a proper incline, using professional materials to create one if the existing roof is not suitable enough.

Finally, the key is to keep checking for early warning signs. Generally, booking a professional to inspect your roof twice a year can help diagnose potential early warning signs that are not always easy to spot. Mid-spring and mid-autumn are the ideal times to book these inspections.

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Can You Install Solar Panels On A Flat Roof?

by Daniel Bracewell • 10 December 2025

If you’re exploring how to lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint, you may be looking at the likes of solar panels for your home. But what if your property has a flat roof rather than a pitched roof? Can you still install solar panels on a flat roof? The short answer is yes, you can! In fact, it is often easier to install solar panels on a flat roof than it is to fit them to a sloped roof, which might make this an even more appealing avenue to explore when you’re looking at flat roof ideas . In many cases, you also don’t need planning permission to install solar panels on your flat roof. Of course, there are exceptions if you have a listed building or live in a conservation area, but if you own your house (different rules apply for flats too), you should be free to add solar panels to your home as you choose. There are different kinds of mounting systems for flat roof solar panels and which is most appropriate for your home will depend on the direction it faces. It is worth noting that the cost of installing solar panels is often higher on flat roofs because of the mounting system, but some of this can be offset by the lower labour costs because the installation process is usually more straightforward. One of the main reasons homeowners install solar panels is to reduce their energy bills. Many report savings of hundreds of pounds each year, which means these panels often pay for themselves relatively quickly. What’s more, under the Smart Export Guarantee , you can sell any energy you don’t use back to the National Grid, which can increase the rate at which your investment in solar panels pays for itself. So, if you are exploring ways to make the most of your flat roof, consider solar panels as an option to reduce your energy bills and do good for the environment.