I totally relate about the green roof being a whole different animal. I learned the hard way that ignoring the drainage layer is just asking for trouble—one wet spring and suddenly you’re dealing with a mini swamp up there. I’ve started using a moisture meter along with the flashlight, which sounds a bit overkill, but it actually caught some early root rot last year. Never thought I’d be more worried about sedum than shingles, but here we are...
Never thought I’d be more worried about sedum than shingles, but here we are...
That line made me laugh—never pictured myself fussing over plant roots on the roof either. I’ll admit, I was skeptical about the moisture meter at first, but after one season of soggy insulation and a minor leak, I’m a convert. The drainage layer is so easy to overlook, but it’s basically the backbone of the whole system. I’ve started checking mine every couple months, especially after heavy rain. It’s wild how much maintenance these “low-maintenance” roofs actually need.
Can’t believe how much time I’ve spent googling “roof root intrusion” lately. I get what you mean about the drainage layer being crucial, but do you really need to check it that often? I keep hearing these roofs are supposed to be set-and-forget for the most part—maybe that’s just marketing hype. Part of me wonders if all this extra maintenance is just overkill, or if I’ll regret skipping a check once winter hits... Anyone ever just left theirs alone for a season and been fine?
I get why you’d want to just leave it be, but from what I’ve seen, skipping a drainage check before winter can be risky—especially if you’re in a spot with lots of freeze-thaw cycles. One year I didn’t check, and roots found their way into a clogged drain. Ended up with pooling and a soggy mess come spring. It’s not the end of the world if you miss a season, but I’d say a quick inspection is worth the hassle, even if the marketing makes it sound maintenance-free.
That freeze-thaw cycle can definitely sneak up on people. I’ve seen a few cases where folks assumed their gutters and drains were clear, only to find ice dams forming in January. Out of curiosity, what kind of roof pitch are you dealing with? Sometimes the slope makes all the difference for drainage issues.
