I've seen similar issues firsthand—my brother installed a traditional green roof and ended up with structural headaches after a nasty rainy season. But last year, I helped a friend set up a lighter-weight modular system using sedum mats instead of deeper soil layers. It was way easier to handle, drained better, and so far it's holding up nicely even after some heavy storms. Might be worth looking into modular setups if you're worried about weight and moisture...
"Might be worth looking into modular setups if you're worried about weight and moisture..."
Good point about modular setups—definitely lighter and easier on the structure. But I'm curious, did your friend have any issues with flashing or sealing around the edges? Aluminum flashing can be tricky, especially after storm damage. I've seen cases where even a small gap leads to bigger headaches down the line... Did you guys use anything special to reinforce or waterproof those edges?
Modular setups definitely have their perks, especially when you're dealing with weight concerns. Flashing can be a headache though—I've seen a few cases where aluminum flashing got damaged after storms, and even tiny gaps turned into leaks pretty quickly. One thing that worked well for us was using a flexible waterproof membrane tape along the edges before installing the flashing. It gave us an extra layer of protection and helped seal up those tricky spots nicely.
Also, don't underestimate the value of a good sealant. We switched to a higher-quality polyurethane caulk instead of silicone, and it held up way better over time. Silicone tends to degrade faster under harsh weather conditions, at least from what I've noticed.
Sounds like you're already thinking ahead about potential issues, which is great. A little extra prep now can save you from bigger headaches later on...
Totally agree about silicone breaking down quicker—seen that happen a bunch. Ever tried adding a drip edge under the flashing? It redirects water better and helps avoid pooling... might save you some hassle down the line.
I've seen drip edges help in certain cases, but honestly, they're not always a solid fix. If your flashing is already damaged or compromised, adding a drip edge underneath might just mask the issue temporarily. I've managed properties where we tried exactly that—thinking it'd buy us some time—but ended up having water sneak in behind the drip edge anyway. Turns out, once the aluminum flashing is warped or dented, water finds a way to travel back behind it, drip edge or not.
In my experience, if you're seeing consistent pooling or leaks already, you're better off biting the bullet and redoing the flashing properly. I know it's tempting to patch things up quickly, but you'll probably save yourself headaches (and money) in the long run by fully addressing the issue now instead of layering on temporary fixes...
