Maybe you’ve never even thought about the roof pitch of your home, but it’s important to know that it does affect you and your house. With time, and as with all things, your home will deteriorate and depreciate if it’s not taken care of properly. The more you know about roof pitch now, the better informed your decision will be when you decide to build the house of your dreams.
What is a Roof Pitch?
The roof pitch refers to the slope of your roof and how steep it is. It’s usually described in terms of the vertical rise and the horizontal surface, and it’s given in inches. For example, a roof pitch of 1/12 is nearly flat (a low slope), while a roof pitch of 18/12 is very sloped.
Are There Different Kinds of Roof Pitches?
Yes! There are lots. You might not recognize the name of some of these, but we promise you that you have definitely seen them before.
There are:
- A-frame roofs
- Low pitch roofs
- High pitch roofs
- Walkable pitch roofs
- Multi-pitch roofs
There are also different kinds of roofs within the roof slope options. Roofs like:
- Hip roofs
- Mansard roofs
- Bell-shaped roofs
- A-frame roofs
- Round roofs
- Geodesic dome roofs
- Gambrel roofs
As you can see there are a lot of possible options and a lot of things to consider when building a house.
How Can My Roof Pitch Affect My Home?
There are several ways that your roof pitch can affect your house. Here are a few things that can cause problems when your home is not built or appropriately fixed.
Water Stagnation
Water stagnation is a problem that occurs in any type of roof. It’s also something that can happen when design errors are made. That’s why it’s always so important to work with experts like Josh Smalling Roofing and Restoration. For proper construction of a roof, it must be planned by highly skilled professionals so that it has a slope that avoids stagnation.
Water can cause an imbalance in the structure. This problem can cause leaks and moisture. If the situation continues, it can cause irreparable damage to the roof of your home. Plus, prolonged stagnation can cause unwanted vegetation to grow.
Leaves and Other Debris
Speaking of vegetation growth, low-sloped rooftops can see some issues with leaf collection. If you have a lot of trees on your property or near your house, you’ll see a lot of leaves fall onto the roof and then stay there. This creates a problem when you add moisture to this combo because then mildew begins forming. This can cause a lot of expensive, long-term problems for your roof.
Repairing Your Roof
Depending on the roof slope, your roof could be very difficult and pricey to replace or repair. In general, low-slope roofs are less expensive than steep roofs. A high-pitched roof requires more material and more complex support structures during the build. Additionally, only certain materials can be used on low slopes. For instance, low-sloped structures cannot use certain shingles or tiles.
There are a lot of things to think about when you’re creating your dream house. No matter if you want a steep roof or a low-pitched roof, we’re here to turn your dream house into a reality. Call us today at 317-483-3093 for a consultation.
