From the Forum: My Flat Roof Is Preventing Water From Draining Properly

A Brownstoner reader is finding water pooled on the roof of their new garden-unit extension.

sidewalksurfing writes:

We have just finished a gut reno on a Stuy Heights house. Now that I’m in I’m noticing the roof of our garden unit extension is really flat. I mean, not sloped or pitched whatsoever. Water tends to pool on it after it rains and I’ve even climbed out on it to sweep the water off. We had the roof reflashed and patched but I have to imagine water pooling there is probably not a good thing long term. We want to put a porch over it so we can access the backyard from the parlor floor but I’m wondering if I should first add something to the roof to make it more sloped so water drains off it properly. No structural engineer here but I have to imagine it’s risky to load up the this little roof with anything heavy… anyone have experience with this or am I just being paranoid?

How do you prevent water from pooling on the roof? Is it safe to build a deck there, as proposed? Share your thoughts in the original post

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