Adding Onto Your Home? Potential Roofing Issues To Avoid

The roof of the home is one of the most important components of the entire structure. It provides protection for the materials used in the construction of the home, as well as sheltering the people who live there and the possessions they cherish. 

Since the roof is often affected whenever renovations or additions are made to the home, it is important to be aware of the potential issues that may be incurred when doing so. Homeowners who are planning to change their roof line as part of an upcoming home renovation project will want to avoid creating the following roofing issues. 

Insufficient Roof Pitch

The pitch of the roof can be a factor in how long the roofing materials will last. A roof that with too little pitch will allow fallen leaves, debris, ashes, and other materials to build up on the surface of the roof. When this happens over several months, this layer can act like an absorbent blanket, capturing moisture and creating an attractive medium in which mold will flourish the surface can be damaged or discolored. 

Additionally, this layer can cause the roofing materials underneath to heat up, especially in hot weather, creating additional wear on shingles and some other types of roofing. Aiming for a roof pitch that is high enough to allow melting snow and rain to run off easily, while also discouraging the build-up of leaves, ashes, and other types of surface debris from accumulating is the best way to avoid this type of roof damage. 

Sections of flat roof

Another common problem that can occur when a home is renovated is when a section of flat roof must be added, such as those often found over a small porch or stoop. This often happens because of desires to leave the original roof line unchanged or when space or budget constraints prevent making more in-depth changes. 

Homeowners should know that sections of flat roofing are often much more prone to the development of leaks, especially around the seams where the flat portion joins the original roof. If your renovation plans require the inclusion of a section of flat roof, it is important that your roofing contractor work closely with the carpenters to ensure that seams are minimized, and there is at least a small amount of pitch included to prevent water from ponding on the section of flat roof where it can eventually cause expensive damage to occur. 

Before beginning any renovation project, homeowners should carefully review any changes that will be made to the current roof line. By working with a reputable roofing contractor who understands your concerns, homeowners can complete their renovations without worrying about ending up with a leaky roof. 

For more information, contact a company like Altex Remodeling and Roofing.

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