Roof pond pump?

**John Kogel** · 11-29-2009, 09:41 PM

Does anyone have first hand experience with these or similar units? I am wondering why I don't see them on 3/4 of the condo roofs around here. About $1000 each. Money well spent IMO.

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**Gunnar Alquist** · 11-29-2009, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by John Kogel

Does anyone have first hand experience with these or similar units? I am wondering why I don't see them on 3/4 of the condo roofs around here. About $1000 each. Money well spent IMO.

Ummm.... That looks like a solar panel. Just how does it work? Rain = no sun and the pump doesn't work. No rain and there is sun for the pump, but no water, so you don't need a pump.

Am I missing something?

**Jerry Peck** · 11-29-2009, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by Gunnar Alquist

Am I missing something?

Only that the real solution is to correct the ponding water problem ...

**John Kogel** · 11-29-2009, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by Gunnar Alquist

Ummm.... That looks like a solar panel. Just how does it work? Rain = no sun and the pump doesn't work. No rain and there is sun for the pump, but no water, so you don't need a pump.

Am I missing something?

Yes, you are.

There's a battery in there.
The low voltage makes it safer than running extension cords through the puddles.

James Skinner · 11-30-2009, 03:05 AM

Is there a float switch or other method of detecting the presence or absense of water to avoid pump damage?

Ron Bibler · 11-30-2009, 05:02 AM

14/06/2005 What ? Did you just get a new camera John

Best

Ron

**John Arnold** · 11-30-2009, 05:32 AM

My solar powered lunch box!

chris mcintyre · 11-30-2009, 05:43 PM

There is still an awful lot of standing water on the roof.
Do they make a solar powered squeegee?

**John Kogel** · 11-30-2009, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by James Skinner

Is there a float switch or other method of detecting the presence or absense of water to avoid pump damage?

I imagine they have a float switch. If they want these things to catch on, they have to make them trouble-free.

Those pics are copied from the website. Maybe a dry spot would be better for the pictures?

We just had a month of rain up here, and some roof ponds won't dry out completely till next spring.
I doubt if the recharge cycle could keep up with a cloudy rainy winter.
Apparently non-solar versions of this are used alot in the UK.

**Raymond Wand** · 11-30-2009, 08:37 PM

What about winter conditions when the water freezes along with the pump?

**John Kogel** · 12-01-2009, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by Raymond Wand

What about winter conditions when the water freezes along with the pump?

Water freezes? That's scary.

Good point, Raymond. A heating element will kill the battery before the pump can kick in. Back to the drawing board.

**brian schmitt** · 12-01-2009, 11:35 AM

as much as it pains me to do this; i have to agree with ec jerry on this one. r and r the roof.

**Scott Patterson** · 12-01-2009, 04:03 PM

It is a neat device, but I would call it a temporary fix for a bad problem.

If my math is correct a 1" deep pond of water that is 20' x 20' would weigh in at around 2,080 lbs!!

Frank Suchodolski · 12-13-2009, 01:18 AM

It would be a good tool for the roofer to pplace the pump on the roof...just before he re-roofed! And re-slope all areas to provide slope to drain. Sloped insulation is the most common fix, expensive but necessary. I still see too many new roofs installed with the ponding issues not addressed.

Frank Suchodolski, RRO