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AT:Green Home reader Melanie writes:
We have an unusually large terrace. We're hoping to grow grass on a nine foot by twenty foot section of it. We think it would be a great place for our son to play, but we're worried about roots penetrating roofing membrane and causing a leak as we're on the top floor.
Thanks!
Dear Melanie,
You have good reason to be concerned. We've blogged a few products before that might help, like Green Roof Blocks. (Be warned: the price quoted on their web site is for the empty containers, which will need to be transported, filled with soil, planted, and then transported again to your roof; as you can imagine, the price goes up considerably.)
Before proceeding, we'd recommend you make a couple of calls, and we're hoping your fellow AT:Green Home readers can help you out with a few good references to professionals who have done this kind of work before.
top three things to keep in mind:
Load (wet soil is very heavy - this can damage your rooftop. More so than any meandering roots. KNOW what your roof can handle in lbs. per sq. ft. We found this by referencing blueprints)
Drainage (from the container to the rooftop and off the rooftop. Sitting water will damage your roof)
Plant choices that are drought and heat tolerant (you might want to look into Steppable line of plants vs. grass)
a more comprehensive guide from chicago gov:
http://tinyurl.com/2habsz
view Meg B.'s profile
Also keep in mind that you want to some sort of drain screening system to prevent soil or other sediments from building up in your roof drains. A partial or total blockage of one or more drains due to sediment buildup could turn your lawn into a muddy wading pool at best or worse, cause an incredible flood disaster.
view John H's profile