Flat roofs look modern. Are they practical?
What to ask your builder before choosing a flat roof for your home: waterproofing, drainage and maintenance.
By Redbay Group ·
Why people choose them
Flat roofs give a clean, modern look and can be used as a terrace, or as a base for water tanks or solar panels. They can also make it easier to add a floor later.
Where they go wrong
A flat roof is never perfectly flat. It needs a slight slope so rainwater runs to the drains, and a proper waterproofing layer so water cannot seep into the slab. Most flat-roof leaks come from one of these two being done poorly, or from drains that get blocked and are never cleared.
What to ask your builder
Before you commit, ask:
- Which waterproofing system will be used, and is it guaranteed?
- How is the slope to the drains created, and where do the drains go?
- How will the roof be checked for leaks before handover?
- What maintenance will the roof need each year?
The short answer
A flat roof can work well when it is designed and waterproofed properly, and maintained. If any of the answers above are vague, check with your engineer before deciding.