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3 Things To Know About Flat Roofs In The Winter

22 February 2021 by Leslie Turner

Do you have a flat roof on your home and are a bit worried about how it will hold up with snow in the winter? Here are a few things that you should know about having a flat roof during the winter time. 

Flat Roofs Can Support The Weight of Snow

While you may fear that the weight of snow cannot be supported by your roof, know that it is built with load resistance in mind. In fact, it needs to be able to withstand the weight of snow and the pressure that is put on it from high winds as well. Thankfully, snow is one of the easiest conditions to prepare for when constructing a roof. 

In addition, local building codes have your region's weather in mind when it comes to how strong a roof must be. These building codes apply to any roof, regardless of the pitch. This means that a roof must be designed to support the weight of a reasonable amount of snow if it is flat.

Flat Roofs Leak No More Or Less Than Other Roofs

Another concern about a flat roof is that it is going to leak when the snow starts to melt on the surface. The truth is that all roofs have the potential to leak, but a flat roof doesn't provide less protection from melting snow. A flat roof is designed much like a pool, where the surface must be waterproof to prevent water from getting inside. When installed properly with high-quality materials, a flat roof is going to provide just as much protection as a roof with a pitch. 

The two factors that are going to make a roof more likely to leak are using cheap materials and having them installed poorly. This is why it is important to use a certified roofing contractor in your area to ensure that the job is done right. If not, you won't find out until water starts coming into your home. 

Flat Roofs Will Drain Water From Melting Snow

A common misconception about flat roofs is that a flat roof is completely flat and therefore will easily collect the snow on the surface and not allow it to drain away from the surface. The truth is that even flat roofs have a slight pitch to them, which is going to cause melting snow to drain toward the gutters. A roof with a bigger pitch may cause snow to slide off the surface when it starts to melt, but that doesn't mean that water won't also drain properly off a properly installed flat roof. 

Contact a roofing company like Golden Spike Roofing to learn more.

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