Ever had issues with snow mixed in? Where I am, the snow melts and refreezes, and sometimes the drains clog with ice chunks and leaves all at once.
That mix of snow and leaves is a real headache. I see it all the time, especially on older flat roofs around here. The freeze-thaw cycle just makes everything worse—ice dams form, then the next day it’s a mess of slush and debris. I’ve crawled up more than a few times in late winter to find the drain basket frozen solid, with a ring of water around it just waiting to seep in somewhere.
One thing I’ve noticed is that the mesh screens help a bit, but only if they’re sturdy and anchored well. Chicken wire sounds like a nightmare in high winds. I’ve seen folks use heavier gauge hardware cloth, bent into a dome and fastened down with a couple of masonry anchors or even weighted with bricks. Not pretty, but it stays put better than anything loose.
Honestly, I don’t think there’s a perfect fix for the ice-leaf combo. Some people try heat cables around the drains, but that’s hit or miss and can get pricey. I’ve also seen folks try to keep the roof as clear as possible before a big snow, but that’s not always practical.
In my experience, it’s just part of living with a flat roof in a cold climate. Regular checks after storms and a sturdy screen seem to be the best bet. Still, every spring I find myself up there with a chisel and a bucket, chipping out ice and muck. Not glamorous, but it beats a flooded ceiling.
If anyone’s found a way to keep those drains clear all winter, I’d love to hear it. Otherwise, I guess we just keep our ladders handy and hope for a slow melt...
- Flat roofs + winter = constant babysitting, honestly.
- I’ve tried those mesh domes too—works until the snow gets heavy, then it’s just a frozen lump with leaves stuck in it.
- Heat cables helped a bit, but my electric bill hated me for it.
- I started putting a layer of sedum up there (green roof style). It actually slows melt and keeps some debris out of the drains. Not perfect, but less ice dam drama so far.
- Still gotta check after every storm though... flat roofs just love to keep us humble.
I started putting a layer of sedum up there (green roof style). It actually slows melt and keeps some debris out of the drains. Not perfect, but less ice dam drama so far.
I hear you on the babysitting, but honestly, the green roof approach has been a game changer for me—though I’ll admit it’s not totally hands-off. What I’ve found is that if you go beyond just sedum and add a couple layers—root barrier, drainage mat, then your soil and plants—it really helps with both water flow and insulation. The drainage mat especially makes a difference during those heavy rains or sudden thaws.
One thing I’d push back on: it’s not just about slowing melt. The extra layers actually help spread out the water load, so you don’t get those sudden “ponds” after a storm. I used to get nervous every time we had a downpour, but since adding the green roof setup (with proper drains at the low points), it’s been way less stressful.
Still gotta check after storms, yeah... but at least now it’s more about clearing a few twigs than worrying about standing water or ice dams wrecking things. Not perfect, but definitely less drama than before.
Green roofs definitely help, but I’d still be cautious. Even with all the layers—root barrier, drainage mat, etc.—I’ve seen water back up if drains get clogged or the pitch isn’t quite right. After a big storm last year, I had to clear out a surprising amount of gunk that made it past the sedum. It’s a solid improvement over bare membrane, but I wouldn’t call it set-and-forget. Regular checks are still key, especially if you’ve got trees nearby dropping stuff all season.
Had a similar situation after a gnarly rainstorm last fall—thought the green roof would handle it all, but nope. The drains got jammed up with what looked like half a tree’s worth of leaves and twigs. Ended up ankle-deep in water, scooping out sludge with a dustpan. Do you ever wonder if flat roofs are just secretly testing our patience? I’m starting to think the “low maintenance” thing is a myth, especially if you’ve got any trees nearby.
