This tool helps you evaluate how serious your ponding condition is and what to do next. Answer a series of diagnostic questions about timing, depth, area, and pattern. The tool will classify your ponding severity and provide specific, actionable recommendations based on your answers.

Before you start, gather this information:

When did the last rainfall end? The NRCA defines ponding as water remaining 48 hours or more after the last rain. If it rained less than 48 hours ago, it is too early to confirm ponding — but the tool will tell you what to watch for.
How deep is the standing water? Measure the deepest point with a ruler or tape measure. Even an estimate helps — "about 1 inch" is more useful than "some water."
How large is the ponding area? Estimate the length and width in feet. A rough measurement (e.g., "about 20 feet by 15 feet") is sufficient for assessment purposes.
Is this new or recurring? First-time ponding and chronic ponding have different causes and different solutions. Knowing the history helps the tool provide a more accurate recommendation.

Assess Your Ponding Severity

How serious is your ponding?

Question 1 of ~5

When did the last rainfall end?

How to Document Ponding for Your Records

Proper documentation protects your warranty coverage, supports insurance claims, and gives your contractor the information they need to propose the right solution. Photograph every ponding area with these details:

Wide shot showing the full ponding area. Include a recognizable landmark (rooftop unit, drain, building edge) so the location is identifiable in future comparisons.
Close-up with a ruler or tape measure at the deepest point. This documents the maximum depth and provides an objective measurement for your records.
Relationship to the nearest drain. Photograph the ponding area with the closest drain visible in the frame. This helps the contractor understand the drainage path and identify potential blockages.
The drain itself. Take a close-up of the drain strainer showing any debris accumulation, and note whether water is flowing into the drain or standing above the drain rim.

Use your smartphone's native camera for automatic date and location stamps. The embedded metadata provides indisputable documentation of when and where the photographs were taken. Store these images in a dedicated folder organized by date — this creates the timeline that reveals whether conditions are stable or worsening.

What to Do With Your Assessment Results

If Your Result Is "Informational"

Monitor the condition at your next inspection. Mark the water's edge with chalk so you can track whether the area is expanding. Clear any accessible drains and check them again after the next rainfall. If the ponding resolves after drain clearing, maintain a quarterly drain inspection schedule to prevent recurrence.

If Your Result Is "Monitor"

Schedule a professional drainage evaluation within 30-60 days. Bring your documentation — photographs, measurements, and history — to the consultation. The contractor should evaluate the ponding area, check all drainage paths, and propose a specific solution with pricing. Get this evaluation even if the ponding seems manageable — conditions that are stable today can worsen rapidly after the next heavy rain event.

If Your Result Is "Urgent"

Contact a roofing professional within the week. Deep ponding, rapidly worsening ponding, or ponding affecting large areas represents an active structural risk. Do not walk through deep ponding areas — the deck beneath may be weakened by sustained loading. If the ponding is accompanied by visible ceiling deflection from inside the building, contact a structural engineer in addition to a roofing contractor.

For a comprehensive understanding of ponding causes and solutions, read the full ponding water guide. That guide covers the science behind ponding, the four most common causes, solution options with cost ranges, and prevention strategies that protect your building long-term.