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Thread: Roof pond pump?

  1. #1
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    Default Roof pond pump?

    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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  2. #2
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    Default Re: Roof pond pump?

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kogel View Post
    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?

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  3. #3
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    Default Re: Roof pond pump?

    Quote Originally Posted by Gunnar Alquist View Post
    Am I missing something?
    Only that the real solution is to correct the ponding water problem ...



    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Roof pond pump?

    Quote Originally Posted by Gunnar Alquist View Post
    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.


  5. #5
    James Skinner's Avatar
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    Default Re: Roof pond pump?

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


  6. #6
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
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    Default Re: Roof pond pump?

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

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  7. #7
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    Default Re: Roof pond pump?

    My solar powered lunch box!

    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
    www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com

  8. #8
    chris mcintyre's Avatar
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    Default Re: Roof pond pump?

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

    Last edited by chris mcintyre; 11-30-2009 at 08:30 PM. Reason: WTH! I really need to read my own post before I post.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Roof pond pump?

    Quote Originally Posted by James Skinner View Post
    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.


  10. #10
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    Default Re: Roof pond pump?

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


  11. #11
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    Default Re: Roof pond pump?

    Quote Originally Posted by Raymond Wand View Post
    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.


  12. #12
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    Default Re: Roof pond pump?

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


  13. #13
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    Default Re: Roof pond pump?

    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!!

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  14. #14
    Frank Suchodolski's Avatar
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    Default Re: Roof pond pump?

    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


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