The Winter and Your Flat Roof

In areas that receive a great deal of snow every winter, having a flat roof can lead to problems. It is common for flat-roofed houses to develop a roof leak or two (or three) during the winter, as the weight of the snow often causes them to buckle or bend. Flat roof repair requires a special group of skills, and if you purchase or build a home with a flat roof, it is in your best interest to have the name and contact information of a roofing specialist handy.

While flat roofs are common in dry and temperate climates, homes in regions where snowfall is high are generally built with sloped roofs so that snow slides off. However, building a sloped-roof home is not always an option. Space restrictions, height restrictions, even ownership of “air rights,” can make building a sloped roof impossible in some instances. If you know that both a flat roof and considerable snowfall are going to be part of your future, be sure to get some advice from a roofing specialist so that you can enjoy a safe, dry winter.