A roof plumber is someone that does do several plumbing-related tasks, but it is not the traditional plumbing that one might think. Typically, people may associate a plumber with kitchen or bathroom fixtures. A roof plumber, however, is dedicated to any tasks that are related to roof flashing or covering.
They are also known as stormwater plumbers as they are professionals who work on anything that is related to stormwater pipes and rainwater tanks. They also specialize in connecting the stormwater downpipes to the drainage disposal unit that is typically located below.
In short, a roof plumber does any plumbing work that has to do with gutters, downpipes and roofs.
Why Would a Plumber Need to Go on the Roof?
A plumber would go on the roof precisely to take care of the scope of work described above. There are several aspects of your household plumbings that are closely connected with the roof.
Even a plumber who would typically be working on plumbing fixtures in the bathroom or kitchen may have to make a trip to the roof to see how the plumbing vents are doing.
This may especially be the case if there is a trap in the vent or if adequate air pressure is not being created in the plumbing system. The plumbing vent will typically go right up to the roof.
Any pipe that goes over the roof and is not a chimney is most likely some kind of plumbing vent. A plumber may go on the roof to check if there is any blockage in the plumbing vent. They may even use a snake drain to dislodge any possible obstructions in the vent.
Other than that, rainwater drainage has to be installed on the roof as that is where the rainwater will first collect. A roof plumber will install your rainwater drainage pipes, ensuring that the water is streamlined and reaches the right place–whether that is a storage unit below for harvesting water or into the waste line.
Either way, one cannot allow the water to accumulate on the roof as that could lead to seepage in the long term. For these reasons, a plumber would need to go to the roof.
What Is the Difference between a Roof Plumber and a Plumber?
As may have already become somewhat clear in the sections above, a roof plumber and a regular plumber will both work with pipes and gutters, but the locations are very different.
You will call a regular plumber if you have a problem with the plumbing in your bathroom and kitchen line. They will fix any clogs, use sealant to stop leaks and take care of all the things that a bathroom or kitchen unit requires.
A roof plumber, however, will not work on plumbing fixtures in the bathroom, kitchen or anywhere else in your house. A roof plumber works specifically on plumbing jobs that have to do with the roof, gutters and downpipes.
So if you need to get a rainwater harvesting system set up, a roof plumber is the best person to call. They will connect the stormwater pipes to the garbage disposal system below.
If you are looking to conserve the water, they can also set up systems such as that water collects into a pipe and is then drained into a storage unit. This is something that would typically be beyond the scope of a regular plumber.
However, note that jobs like roof covering with tiles, timber, concrete, etc. are not carried out by a roof plumber. For that, you will need to enlist the services of a roofer who will lay down the roof materials as well as carry out repairs when required.
When Should You Hire a Roof Plumber?
Often, when a house is constructed, the plumber will seal the roof. But even after the sealing, if you notice leaks forming in your roof, it is time to call the roof plumber. Having said that, if your roof has started leaking, you are already a little late to call the plumber.
You should try as far as possible to prevent leaks in your roof, for which you may have to call the roof plumber even earlier to get your roofing checkers after every six months or so. Do this especially if you live in a region that gets a fair amount of rainfall. Once your roof starts leaking when the rains come, it can become difficult to fix as the roof will not get the time to dry up.
It may seem like you can ignore a roof leak until the weather improves or if it is a relatively dry summer. Simply putting a bucket under the leak should suffice, shouldn’t it? Unfortunately, that is not the case.
If the leak is allowed to persist, it may cause serious damage to your roof over time. It can even compromise the structural integrity of the roof and cause it to collapse after a while. In short, a leaking roof is not only a matter of inconvenience but also becomes a safety concern.
A roof plumber will be able to identify a leak much before it becomes problematic, allowing them enough time to take adequate measures.
Other than that, you can hire a roof plumber for any of the following reasons:
- Installation of gutters, stormwater disposal systems, downpipes, etc.
- Installation of rainwater tanks
- Setting up roof drainage systems
- Roof flashing, stop ends, ductwork joints, etc.
- Stormwater drainage system
Final Thoughts
A roof plumber does one of the most important jobs for the upkeep and maintenance of a house. Just as the drainage pipes and plumbing fixtures need to be cleaned every now and then to ensure there are no clogs or leaks anywhere, a roof plumber does the same thing for drainage units and other facilities on the roof.
Most importantly, a roof plumber will be able to ensure that the roof is protected from rain and stormwater. You cannot prevent rain from falling, but you can certainly prevent your roof from leaking.