Gaithersburg Roofing: Article About Roofing Elements
On flat roofs, scuppers are the drains set into the low-lying areas of the roof wall. Sometimes they are merely tubes that allow excess water to run off the roof, but more commonly, they are connected to downspouts or gutters.
Roofers Gaithersburg MD FAQ: How long does the average re-roofing job take?The time it takes to re-roof a home varies depending on the roof's size and pitch as well as on the scope of the project. For a complete replacement roof system, the job may take as little as three days or as long as six days. Weather can also affect the length of the re-roofing job.
It's common for homeowners to feel a little overwhelmed with decision-making when replacing a roof. Many consumers may be focused on cost and style, but there are plenty of other considerations to be made. While a professional roofer will walk clients through the entire process, it's helpful for homeowners to have a working understanding of the roofing structure.
The most visible part of the roof is its covering, with options ranging from architectural and conventional asphalt shingles to metal sheets and clay tiles. Some roof coverings fare better in warm, humid climates, while others are good choices for cool, rainy locales. A trusted, reliable Gaithersburg Roofing contractor is the best resource for pinpointing the right covering for a particular home.
The roof covering is just the first layer of the roof though. Several substrates rest beneath the roof covering, and they are critical to forming a weather-resistant shield. Most commonly, the first underlayer is a felt or synthetic sheathing available in 15-pound and 30-pound thicknesses. Rubberized asphalt is also an option for some roofs.
These underlayments are applied directly over the roof's main structure: the roof deck. In newer homes, plywood and oriented strand board are commonly used to form roof deck. For older homes, 1" x 6" or 1" x 10" wood planks were used.
Roofers at Seneca Creek Home Improvement of Gaithersburg MD can assist you with any questions regarding roofing, windows or siding.
For re-roofing projects, the condition of the existing roof deck is extremely important. If the deck is damaged or weakened, it must be replaced or repaired before the new roof can be installed.
Penetrating all these layers of roofing are several features, including vents, chimneys and skylights. While the roofer will calculate the appropriate number of vents needed, homeowners may be able to choose vent types and styles. Consumers may also need to choose the flashing that will be installed over the joints and edges of the roof penetrations. Flashing keeps water and debris from seeping under the roof penetrations.
Finally, consumers will need to choose gutters, downspouts and scuppers. These features direct water off the roof and away from the home's foundation, so they're critical to keeping a home moisture free. Some gutters are set within the structure of the roof, but most residential rain gutters are visibly attached to the roof's eaves. Choices range from copper and aluminum gutters to steel and vinyl.
Even though there are so many decisions to be made, consumers shouldn't fret. Most quality roofers will carefully walk homeowners through the various steps of the project, explaining options, benefits and disadvantages of each product along the way.
