Tillie Doyle
Installing a roof drain sump pan is a great way to prevent rainwater from pooling on flat roofs. Sump pans are not supplied with your roof drain, but they can be purchased separately. The installation process involves cutting the roof open between the joists and cutting away the roof material to fit the sump pan. The sump pan is then attached to the roof drain and secured to the roof by screwing it into the roof joists. This process can be done on roofs with or without insulation, and the sump pan can be installed perpendicular or parallel to the roof joists. Proper installation of a roof drain sump pan can increase jobsite production and provide years of trouble-free service.
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What You'll Learn
Cut the roof open between the joists
Installing a roof drain sump pan is a great way to prevent rainwater from pooling on flat roofs. The sump pan sits below the roof surface, lowering the roof drain. Before you begin, ensure you have the right sump pan for your roof. Sump pans can be used on all thicknesses of roofs, with or without insulation.
Now, to the task at hand: cutting the roof open between the joists. This is the first step in installing your sump pan. You'll want to cut the roof to the size of the sump on your drain pan. Place the sump pan in the hole and cut the roof material to the perimeter dimension of the sump pan flange. It's important to be precise here, so take your time. You can draw around the perimeter of the sump pan and cut the roof material, adding a little extra room—around half an inch—to be safe.
This step is crucial as it ensures the sump pan sits securely in the roof. The sump pan needs to be slightly larger than the hole to ensure it doesn't fall through, but not so large that it can't be secured safely. Once you've cut the roof open between the joists, you'll be ready to move on to the next step: cutting away the roof material to accommodate the sump pan flange. This process will involve similar steps, so the experience you gain here will be useful later.
Safety is paramount when working on a roof, so ensure you have the proper equipment and take all necessary precautions before beginning any work. It's also important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific sump pan, as there may be unique considerations for your particular model.
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Cut away roof material to the sump pan flange perimeter
After cutting the roof open between the joists and setting the sump pan in the hole, the next step is to cut away the roof material to the sump pan flange perimeter. This is done by drawing around the perimeter of the sump pan, leaving a little extra room – perhaps an extra ½". You can then cut away the roof material.
It is important to choose the right roof sump pan, as using the wrong one can have devastating effects. For example, using a sump receiver on a roof with a thin covering will cause the roof drain to sit higher than the surrounding roof, resulting in rainwater pooling. This is the opposite of the intended effect of a roof drain and can cause expensive repairs or even a premature replacement of the roof.
The sump pan provides a stable base for the roof drain to rest on, rather than setting it on a plywood deck. The metal flanges on each side provide plenty of surface area for the roof material to bond to, reducing the number of roof leaks.
The LCP sump pan, for example, has been engineered to accept 12" and 15" primary and overflow bottom outlet cast iron roof drains without any modifications via adapter plates. The 12" roof drain gives you more space to manoeuvre than the 15" roof drain. The LCP sump pan can be installed in as little as 20-30 minutes, compared to 2 hours or more for a double sump receiver.
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Attach the roof drain to the sump pan
Attaching the roof drain to the sump pan is a crucial step in installing a roof drain sump pan system. This process ensures that the two components are securely connected, preventing rainwater from pooling on the roof surface. Here is a detailed guide on how to attach the roof drain to the sump pan:
Firstly, it is important to understand the two main types of sump pans: sump receivers and top-mounting sump receivers. Sump receivers are flat plates that collect water from the roof drain. They require an underdeck clamp to securely anchor the assembly to the roof. This type of sump pan is commonly used on thick, insulated roofs. On the other hand, top-mounting sump receivers, also known as "top set deckplates," are designed to be bolted directly to the bottom of the drain bowl. This eliminates the need for underdeck clamps and simplifies the installation process.
When attaching the roof drain to the sump pan, follow these steps:
- Place the roof drain into the sump receiver or top mounting sump receiver. Ensure that it is securely seated and centred within the sump pan.
- If you are using a sump receiver, secure the roof drain to the sump pan using an underdeck clamp. The underdeck clamp is attached to the underside of the drain, inside the building. Tighten the clamp according to the manufacturer's instructions, drawing the drain bowl towards the sump receiver.
- For top-mounting sump receivers, bolt the receiver directly to the bottom of the drain bowl. This creates a secure connection between the two components, and no underdeck clamp is required.
- Ensure that the roof drain is stable and does not wobble or shift within the sump pan.
By following these steps, you will have successfully attached the roof drain to the sump pan. The next step in the installation process is to secure the sump pan assembly to the roof by screwing it directly into the roof joists. This will provide a sturdy foundation for the entire roof drain system.
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Secure the sump pan by screwing it into the roof joists
Once you have cut the roof open between the joists and cut away the roof material to the perimeter dimension of the sump pan flange, you can secure the sump pan to the roof. This is done by screwing it directly into the roof joists. The sump pan will have perimeter holes that will be directly over the joists. Ensure that you screw through these holes to attach the sump pan to the joists.
Blocking your roof drain is an important step to prevent leaks. Install blocks on the ends of the sump pan that are not over the joists. This will provide support and prevent leaks. The plywood on the roof is often thin and can bend away from the pan and roof drain when someone steps between the joists. This is known as "deflection".
The sump pan should sit on top of the plywood, although in some cases, it may be lowered into the plywood. This is not common practice, but it can be done to achieve the desired sump. Generally, the sump pan will sit on top of the plywood, and the sump will be created by tapering the insulation to the roof drain and receiver.
The sump pan is an important component of your roof as it effectively prevents rainwater from pooling on a flat roof. It is a roof drain accessory that is a flat plate that receives the roof drain. It lowers the roof drain below the roof surface, sumping it. This is an effective way to prevent rainwater from pooling and causing damage to your roof.
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Waterproofing and plumbing work
Once you have installed the roof drain sump pan, you can move on to the waterproofing and plumbing work. This involves encapsulating the sump pan and roof drain with a waterproofing membrane. In some cases, a wood "sump box" may need to be built and the pan modified to adequately "sump" the drain.
For example, in a wood-framed building, the installer might need to create a sump box to ensure the sump pan sits below the roof surface. This is because the standard deck plate does not have the sump feature engineered into its design.
The sump pan and roof drain should be installed perpendicular or parallel to the roof joists. If installed perpendicular, the framing will need to be modified to accommodate the installation of the components. This is generally not the case with a parallel installation.
To prevent leaks, blocks can be installed on the ends of the sump pan that are not over the joists. This provides support and prevents deflection, which can cause the plywood on the roof to bend away from the pan and roof drain, leading to leaks.
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Frequently asked questions
A roof drain sump pan lowers or "sumps" the roof drain below the roof surface, preventing rainwater from pooling on the flat roof.
First, cut the roof open between the joists so that the sump will fit inside. Cut this to the size of the sump on your drain pan. Second, cut away the roof material to the perimeter dimension of the sump pan flange. Third, attach the roof drain to the sump pan and set the assembly in the hole. Finally, secure the sump pan to the roof by screwing it directly into the roof joists using the perimeter holes.
A roof drain sump pan kit includes the sump pan, roof drain, accessories, and hardware.
