Tapered Insulation and Crickets
One of the most effective ways to fix ponding from poor slope is to build slope into the roof using tapered insulation and crickets. Understanding these explains a key drainage solution. Here is how tapered insulation and crickets work on a Tipton commercial building.
What Tapered Insulation Is
Tapered insulation is insulation manufactured or cut at an angle to create slope on a flat roof, building positive drainage toward the drains. Installed under the membrane, it shapes the roof surface to direct water where it should go. For a Tipton building, tapered insulation is a key drainage tool, since it builds the slope a flat roof needs to drain. The tapered insulation creates slope. This tapered insulation is a key drainage solution, since insulation manufactured or cut at an angle creates slope on a flat roof, building positive drainage toward the drains by shaping the roof surface under the membrane to direct water where it should go on the commercial building.
Building Positive Drainage
Tapered insulation builds positive drainage, meaning slope that actively moves water toward the drains rather than letting it sit. Positive drainage is the goal, a roof surface that directs water to exit rather than pool. For a Tipton building, building positive drainage is the purpose of tapered insulation, since it creates the slope that drains the roof. The slope moves the water out. This building of positive drainage is the purpose of tapered insulation, since it creates slope that actively moves water toward the drains rather than letting it sit, achieving the positive drainage that directs water to exit the roof rather than pool on its surface on the commercial building.
What Crickets and Saddles Are
Crickets and saddles are raised tapered areas built to divert water around obstacles and toward drains, often placed behind curbs or between drains to redirect flow. They handle the spots where water would otherwise collect or stall. For a Tipton building, crickets and saddles are drainage tools for problem spots, since they redirect water where the slope alone does not. The crickets divert the water. These crickets and saddles are drainage solutions for problem areas, since the raised tapered areas divert water around obstacles and toward drains, often placed behind curbs or between drains to redirect flow where water would otherwise collect or stall on the commercial building.
Redirecting Water Around Obstacles
Crickets are especially useful for redirecting water around obstacles like rooftop curbs and equipment, where water would otherwise pool against the upslope side. The cricket diverts the water around the obstacle to continue toward a drain. For a Tipton building, redirecting water around obstacles is a key use of crickets, since obstacles create ponding spots. The crickets route water around them. This redirecting of water around obstacles is a key use of crickets, since they divert water around rooftop curbs and equipment where it would otherwise pool against the upslope side, routing the water around the obstacle so it continues toward a drain on the commercial building.
Re-Sloping a Roof
Where ponding comes from inadequate slope across the roof, tapered insulation can be used in re sloping the roof, building proper slope into the roof during a re cover or replacement to solve the drainage at its root. This addresses ponding comprehensively. For a Tipton building, re sloping with tapered insulation is a thorough drainage solution, since it builds proper slope into the whole roof. The re slope fixes the drainage broadly. This re sloping of a roof is a comprehensive drainage solution, since tapered insulation can build proper slope into the roof during a re cover or replacement, solving ponding from inadequate slope at its root by giving the whole roof the positive drainage it needs on the commercial building.
A Targeted or Comprehensive Solution
Tapered insulation and crickets can be a targeted or comprehensive solution, used in specific spots to fix localized ponding or across the roof to re slope it entirely, depending on the problem. The right application depends on the cause and extent of the ponding. For a Tipton building, a targeted or comprehensive approach is chosen to fit the problem, since some ponding is localized and some is widespread. Tipton Commercial Roofing applies the right approach. This being a targeted or comprehensive solution makes tapered insulation and crickets versatile, since they can be used in specific spots to fix localized ponding or across the roof to re slope it entirely, with the right application chosen to fit the cause and extent of the ponding on the commercial building.
Building Slope to Drain
Tapered insulation creates slope to build positive drainage, and crickets and saddles divert water around obstacles toward drains, used as a targeted fix for localized ponding or to re slope a roof entirely. These build the slope a flat roof needs to drain on a Tipton commercial building.
Planning ahead pays off with drainage, since ponding is far easier and cheaper to address before it has damaged the roof than after. A building owner who keeps the drainage maintained and addresses ponding when it first appears avoids the accelerated membrane aging, the structural load, and the leaks that prolonged ponding causes. By contrast, ponding left for years can degrade the membrane to the point that the ponding repair must be accompanied by membrane repair or even replacement of the affected areas. For a Tipton building, this foresight turns a manageable drainage fix into a routine matter rather than a major repair. Tipton Commercial Roofing helps building owners stay ahead of drainage problems through inspection and maintenance, so ponding is caught and corrected early, before it does the kind of damage that makes the eventual repair far more involved on the commercial building.
Build Proper Drainage Into Your Roof
Does your roof need better slope to drain? Call Tipton Commercial Roofing at (765) 676-3491 for a free inspection of your Tipton commercial building. We use tapered insulation and crickets to build positive drainage, fixing localized ponding or re sloping your roof to stop water from pooling.