Are Blue Roofs the Solution to Flooding?
Bad weather in the UK is nothing new, but some parts of the country experience flooding due to unpredictable rainfall and poor building management. Britain aren’t as prepared when it comes to excessive rainfall on their roofs as some countries such as Germany, with their green roofs in several cities. These roofs can help to decrease the flow of water, help with greenery life and attracting insects and birds. These roofs are eco-friendly, helping to lower extra rainfall which can cause sewers to overflow through storm drains.
While green roofs are a great part of the environment, they are only a small addition overall. Although home owners are encouraged to have green roofs, most flat roofs are not able to handle the excess weight of all the greenery and other materials. Which is why the blue roof has made an appearance.
A blue roof still has weight limitations itself, as it is compared to an empty pool and excess water can be heavy. However, it is useful as when it rains it builds up and then eventually the water flows back into the sewers over a day. This can stop the drains from becoming overwhelmed.
Like with green roofs, blue roofs need careful planning. Generally, a roof is designed to allow water to flow off the roof straight away, so a blue roof keeping water is an interesting development. You need to ensure the membrane underneath is watertight though, as any problems can cause big issues for the building below, as the amount of water on top would not be much good for the structure. For more information on this and all Roofing services in Oxford, call the Roof Doctor.