November 3, 2025
When Roof Drains Are Ignored, the Roof Pays the Price
This weekend our Service Team was dispatched to a large industrial site in Southwestern Ontario after a section of a flat roof partially collapsed from water loading. The photos tell the story: inches of standing water surrounded plugged drains; inside, the underside of the roof deck showed stress and damage. Our crew quickly pumped down the water, opened flow at the drains, and made the area safe—then documented the root cause so it doesn’t happen again.
Water is heavy. About 1 inch of water adds ~5.2 lb/ft² to a roof. Six inches? That’s 31+ lb/ft²—on every square foot. When drains, scuppers, and strainers are blocked, that extra weight sits on the structure, accelerates membrane deterioration, and can lead to deck deflection, leaks, and—in extreme cases—collapse.
How Empire helps prevent this
Our Preventive Maintenance Program is built for busy facilities:
- Semi-annual inspections (or quarterly for high-debris sites)
- Drain cleaning and flow tests
- On-the-spot minor repairs to stop small problems from growing
- A photo report with prioritized actions and budgeting guidance
- 24/7 emergency response when weather doesn’t wait
Impact: Preventative Maintenance clients typically see an 80% reduction in emergency repair costs through proactive maintenance scheduling and early problem identification.
Emergency response when you need it now
Empire Roofing’s emergency response is designed for building owners and facility teams dealing with active leaks and urgent situations. Our experienced crews respond with care and control—containing leaks, protecting interiors, and delivering solutions across every roof system and building type.
Expert emergency services include:
- 24hr Service & 1–2hr Response Time
- Custom Report For Your Building Type
- Expert Interior Protection
- Photos & Recommendation Report – 1hr Post Service
- 1 Point of Contact
- Minimal Disruption to Operations
- Backed By Expert Service Teams
Talk to our Service Team
Call: 1-844-547-7663
Email: service@empireroofing.ca
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