It is fairly common to see a commercial roof that has a flat or no-slope grade. While commercial buildings may benefit or tolerate a flat roof well, homes generally do not. At one time, it wasn’t uncommon to find a residential roof with a flat slope. However, these days we know much more about roofing and how certain materials perform better under certain conditions, the slope of the roof being one of them.
Flat Wrong For Homeowners
A variety of materials can be used with a flat roof, but their durability is far less efficient than with a sloped roof. Metal roof materials must be welded together to prevent leakage between the seams. Asphalt shingles break easier on a flat roof when hard objects rub against the surface.
Although flat roofs are generally simple to install and may appear to be less maintenance, most homeowners find that improper installation or maintenance is more common with a flat roof than a sloped roof. Flat roofs are more prone to problems such as sagging, leaking and water damage. Sagging occurs when the weight of the roof becomes too heavy for the underlying structure to support it. If the flat roof begins to sag in one spot, and not in others, a dip forms where water can accumulate. Water buildup easily becomes destructive in no time. The longer water sits on a roof, the more roof damage that will result.
Due to the costly nature of roof repair and the increased need for repairs for flat roofs, homeowners are advised to consider alternatives for their home. If a flat roof is necessary for a particular home, it is important that a vinyl or rubber roof material be used and that the roof maintains at least a slight degree of slope to promote adequate water runoff.
