That’s wild about the inspector barely glancing at your drainage setup. I’ve noticed the same thing—like, they’ll crawl around with a tape measure and level for the joists, but when it comes to where all that water’s actually going, it’s just a quick peek and a shrug. Makes you wonder if they’ve ever had to mop up after a ceiling leak themselves.
I’m still learning the ropes, but even I can see how drainage is just as important as beefing up the structure. Especially in the PNW—rain here isn’t exactly subtle. Did you end up using those pre-made scuppers, or did you DIY something? I’ve seen some folks get creative with hidden drains or even those gravel-filled troughs, but I’m not sure how well those hold up long-term.
I get why inspectors are so focused on load calcs (nobody wants to be “that guy” whose roof caved in), but it feels like water damage is way more likely than a collapse if you’re following basic guidelines. Maybe it’s just easier for them to check numbers on paper than to imagine how water will sneak into every tiny gap.
I’m curious—did you have to fight with the code office over any of your drainage plans? Or did they just rubber-stamp it because the structure looked solid? I’ve heard stories about people getting tripped up by weird local rules, like minimum scupper sizes or mandatory secondary drains, but then other places don’t care at all. It’s almost like a roll of the dice depending on who’s doing your inspection that day.
Anyway, overbuilding for peace of mind sounds smart. I’d rather spend an extra weekend fiddling with slopes and drains than deal with soggy insulation later. Out of everything you did, was there anything you wish you’d done differently with the drainage? Or something that turned out way easier (or harder) than expected?
I get why inspectors are so focused on load calcs (nobody wants to be “that guy” whose roof caved in), but it feels like water damage is way more likely than a collapse if you’re following basic guidelines.
That’s exactly what I ran into—the structural stuff got picked apart, but drainage was almost an afterthought. I went with pre-made scuppers, mainly because the cost of messing up a DIY drain seemed higher than just buying something rated for the job. The code office didn’t push back at all, which surprised me given how strict they were about everything else. If I could do it over, I’d have added a backup drain line—just for peace of mind. Did you find any affordable options for secondary drains, or did you skip that step?
If I could do it over, I’d have added a backup drain line—just for peace of mind.
Funny enough, I see more issues from clogged scuppers than anything structural. Folks get so focused on the heavy stuff, but a little leaf pile can cause a waterfall in your living room. I’ve seen some pretty affordable secondary drain kits at plumbing supply shops—nothing fancy, just basic overflow drains that tie in next to your main. Not the prettiest, but way better than mopping up after a storm.
Backup drain lines are one of those things you only appreciate after the fact. I learned that the hard way a few years back—one clogged scupper during a freak storm and suddenly I’m scrambling for towels, cursing my past self for not spending an extra $60 on a secondary drain. It’s wild how often the “little stuff” is what trips you up, not the big structural worries everyone obsesses over.
Honestly, I’d take a slightly ugly overflow drain any day if it means not having to tear out drywall or deal with mold later. And you’re right, those kits aren’t expensive or fancy, but they do the job. If you’re adding a green roof, there’s already enough to stress about with permits and weight calculations—no need to add water damage to the list.
Don’t let anyone talk you out of it just because it might not look perfect. Peace of mind beats aesthetics when water’s involved.
I hear you on the “ugly but safe” drain approach—my last house had a downspout that looked like it belonged on a haunted mansion, but hey, no floods. Did you run into any weird local code stuff with your backup drains? My city inspector nitpicked every little thing, even the direction of the overflow.
