What could I put on a roof for these two things?

SaltyNuts

Platinum Member
May 1, 2001
2,398
275
126
OK, so I want to do two things involving my roof. Soooo much wasted space up there I am not using currently.

First, I want to keep potted plants up there. So I would need to put something beneath the pots to keep them from sliding down the roof. I'd probably like put the different pots in a bigger rectangle thing, then put something under the rectangle thing, so I don't have to prop up each pot. Maybe actually I would have the plants in a rectangle wood thing, and the base of the wood thing would be a triangle that sits neatly on the roof so the plants are sitting level, rather than at an angle. Then maybe the wood touching the roof would have some kind of super high friction thing on them to prevent the whole thing from slipping down the roof. Sandpaper maybe? I definately don't want to put holes (nails or screws) in my roof.

Second thing is aquarium related. I have several aquariums upstairs. I use a pump and long hoses connected to another pump that runs from my aquariums to the bathroom to do water changes. My girl hates it. So I was thinking. My aquariums are right by windows, and below the windows is my patio and back yard, relatively close. Rather than running the hoses and pumps and buckets and what not from the aquariums to the bathroom, I could run them out the back windows, and down to the patio and back yard. I could pump aquarium water out, into big trash cans below, which I would then use to water the plants (with high nitrates and phosphates, great for plants). Then in another trash can I could have tap water that has been sitting, possibly with a pump circulating the water, so that the chlorine is gone or greatly lowered and minimal dechlorinator is needed. I could then pump that water into the aquariums. So, that is a long explanation of what I am needing help with - I would like to keep the hoses and pumps and what not on the roof right outside my window. The hoses would run from there down to the trash cans. Then when it was time to do a water change I could just open the window and pull the pumps/hoses inside. No need to keep anything (or at least very little) inside the house. Thoughts on best way to get those thinks to stick on my roof right outside my window? Maybe just a very small but strong string or fishing line is all I need, but I dunno.

Thanks for any ideas!!!

Moved from OT.
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Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
20,920
5,543
136
The plant idea, don't. Just don't.
The hose stored on the roof idea, put a screw in the wall and buy a bungee cord. But it's a bad idea. Roofs aren't designed as wearing surfaces, you don't want regular traffic or items stored up there. Let the roof be a roof, let it do its job in the way it was designed to. It's not a planter box, it's not a storage yard, it's a roof.
 

SaltyNuts

Platinum Member
May 1, 2001
2,398
275
126
What is wrong with the plant idea Greenman? I have a TON of roof space that is being COMPLETELY utilized. I have a latter that I can get on the roof in 2 seconds, and I'm not scared of heights at all. Why not utilize all that space to grow a shiat-ton of veggies and fruits? Just seems space is being completely wasted.

Bungee cord idea sounds like a winner!
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,376
5,337
146
roofing is designed to do one thing, keep your house dry. You could fuck around and end up with a premature leak.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
68,413
12,593
126
www.anyf.ca
Best to avoid penetrations if you can. Only thing that might make sense is solar panels if it's south facing and you can easily reach it to remove snow. Thought of doing mine but I only have room for around 3kw if I was to put them in a weird orientation, but in reality only about 1kw if I want it to look decent. Mine would be too hard to get to for snow removal. So not worth it in my case. The only reason to even put solar panels or anything on the roof is if there is no room in the yard. if there is room in the yard then put that tsuff there. Plants, solar panels, etc... The more clear the roof is the less chance of problems.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,046
564
126
I used to siphon water into a 5 gallon bucket and throw the dirty water on the lawn. Quit being lazy :p
 

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
20,920
5,543
136
What is wrong with the plant idea Greenman? I have a TON of roof space that is being COMPLETELY utilized. I have a latter that I can get on the roof in 2 seconds, and I'm not scared of heights at all. Why not utilize all that space to grow a shiat-ton of veggies and fruits? Just seems space is being completely wasted.

Bungee cord idea sounds like a winner!
It's not wasted, it's doing a bang up job of keeping you dry. Depending on where the house is, and how old it is, the structure may not be capable of supporting even a minor increase in load. Beyond that, you're going to be running around on it wearing out the shingles, aside from the point load added by your planter boxes. There is also the issue of all the shit you put up there falling down on someone's head. I promise you there will be repercussions should that happen.
Go plant on you driveway, in your garage, under your house (trees aren't recommended in this location) pretty much anywhere but on your roof.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,357
8,444
126
What is wrong with the plant idea Greenman? I have a TON of roof space that is being COMPLETELY utilized. I have a latter that I can get on the roof in 2 seconds, and I'm not scared of heights at all. Why not utilize all that space to grow a shiat-ton of veggies and fruits? Just seems space is being completely wasted.

Bungee cord idea sounds like a winner!
hurricanes, tornadoes, windstorms generally?
 

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
16,068
7,380
146
I think people here are overreacting to putting plants on your roof. It's perfectly fine to so, and my plants were fine being planted up there in pots.

The only time I had a problem was when Dr. Edgar Zomboss showed up at the house. He really isn't a fan of having potted plants on a roof, and he kept destroying what I had up there, so I ended up planting a lot more of them until he stopped.
 
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mindless1

Diamond Member
Aug 11, 2001
8,348
1,552
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You could reinforce your roof to hold the weight, even seal it better, but there is one substantial problem.

You're in Houston, Texas, not Canada. I live somewhere in between these two extremes and it still gets WAY too hot on my roof in summer for plants to survive, let alone flourish.

There are both critical daytime highs for plant survival, and night time maximums, for crop survival, to bloom and pod up, and that's just on the ground while on a roof you get into the temp range where the insects have to survive to pollinate them too, and the earthworms, and the soil microbes, etc.

Get much above 100F and your plants are in trouble and you'll need sunscreens for all but the hardiest that are native to hot climates. Many southern growers plan for this by putting their crops in a location where they are shaded from afternoon sun, or they add shade cloth as needed.

Plus, in pots they'll go through water like nothing if it's that hot and elevated, probably also windier on the roof which can damage them too.

The heat and UV will decrease the lifespan of your pump/hose/whatever too.
 
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