Ever wondered if you should put a flat roof on your house?…If you have any other option I would advise that you use it. Flat roofs are about the most troublesome roofs to troubleshoot and repair. Usually when I am repairing a damaged roof or looking a leak its on a flat roof. The problem is that the water has time to pool when you have a very low slope or no slope. Water pooling always seems to find a way to where it is not supposed to go. Water pooling also causes the roofing materials to degrade and rot. I currently have a flat roof on my house (I bought it that way). The person that owned it about 30 years ago decided to add 400 sq ft to the house, and decided a flat roof would be easier than the alternative. I have pulled the ceiling down in several places in this addition only to notice that it has about 30 years of constant repair. The roof looks like it has been built over at least 2 times, and there are various parts of the construction that have seen many repairs. I have myself worked on this roof at least six times in the last three years, two times in the dark because I knew rain was coming. The last repair was just two days ago, and of course like the others I am thinking this will be the last of it. Here are some pointers if you decide that you want a flat roof or do not have a choice. First, if at all possible, do not run any plumbing vents or any other kind of vents through the flat roof. Secondly, do not sit anything on the flat roof (like an AC, or Solar heater, etc). Lastly, use an excellent roofing material. When I say excellent, I mean a product that has a warranty over ten years (twenty is preferred).

As usual, if I missed anything, please comment.
Luke

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