The Different Parts of Your Roof Your Contractor Takes Care Of
Roofs are often not on homeowner’s minds when they think of renovating their home. If a home had a new roof installed before purchase, it’s likely good for up to twenty-five years or more. If a roof doesn’t leak, it’s often in good shape. When it comes time for a new roof, it’s important to know about what your roofing contractor will be working on and adding to your home. Let’s take a look at the different parts of the roof.
The roof deck
The roof deck is the most important part of your roof. This layer encloses your attic and the top structure of your home. The decking holds shingles, nails, and waterproofing material, keeping your roof in place. Many times on older homes with poor roof maintenance, when a roof gets replaced, the decking is often crumbling because it has gotten wet, the wood has rotted, and the heat attracted to the roof has dried the decking out. The repetition of this process often causes the decking to rot over time.
When a contractor goes to replace the roofing deck, they have stripped away the old shingles, flashing, and other parts of the roof. You’ll find different materials used in roof decking. The most common type of material used is oriental strand board, but you will often find treated plywood used as well. A roof deck should be replaced every 20 to 30 years. Your roof deck might outlast your shingles. If your roof deck was replaced during the last roof install, you might only need new shingles on the next roof replacement that you do.
Roof valleys
Roofs are naturally pitched due to the shape of your house. When roofers work, they will work in different sections. After the shingles are installed, the places where the different sections are joined need to be secured. This will prevent shingles from falling off at the areas where two different pitched sections meet.
Galvanized steel, aluminum, and copper flashing is used in the roof valleys to secure the shingles. The flashing material will also help direct rainwater towards your gutters. Many times, when the flashing around your valleys are bad, you will notice leaks in these areas of your attic.
Underlayment
This is a barrier material that is placed between the roof deck and shingles. Most underlayment is made out of an asphalt-saturated material, but there are felt options that are made out of cellulose. If your shingles are in pretty good shape over the lifetime of your roof, the underlayment should last as long as the shingles. In colder climates, your roofer might install an additional layer of underlayment for added protection.
Flashing
Flashing is used in the valleys of your roof. However, it will also be necessary to add flashing to things that come out of your roof, such as chimneys, plumbing vents, and around skylights. Most flashing will be made from galvanized steel. In addition to your roofing flashing, the roofer will use special masonry caulk, roofing cement, or silicone caulking to secure the seal between your chimney or vents.
Roof drainage
When it rains, a variety of components channel water away from your house. Roof valleys will lead the water to your gutters, which drain down the downspout. Your gutters are rated to last for twenty years, but many people who take care of their gutters (getting rid of ice dams, buildup, etc.) might not need to replace their gutters when they get a new roof.
Work with Cost Plus Construction
Cost Plus Construction will help you repair your existing roof or get a new one if needed. We will install your roofing at a great price because of our supply chain network. Your roof is the most important part of your home. You will also get transparent pricing throughout the process.