The Parts of the Roof and Why They Matter
Imagine you have a home with four walls but without a roof. Can you live with that?
Of course, you can’t. Your home is built with its significant components like the roof, the walls, and the attic.
The roof of your house is the first line of defence against all kinds of weather. It can’t be called a shelter when there’s no roofing above it. And roofing components are undoubtedly essential.
The roof is not a single wide slab that is placed overhead just like that. It has parts that each have a critical function that holds the roof together. With proper maintenance, the roof will stay durable for years. Incorrect installation will compromise roof integrity.
To ensure that your roof is built to protect your loved ones, read this guide to know the roof implements and their importance in the structure.
The leak is the number one enemy of the roof. Let us dig deeper to understand how the guttering system works to be safe, dry, and warm.
Gutter and Downspouts
Part of the guttering system is the gutter. It is the painted metal lining that runs along the edge of the roof. It is built there not for aesthetic purposes alone but to serve as a catch basin for rainwater.
Without the gutter, nothing will catch the rainwater and let it flow to the downspout. The downspouts are pipes that connect to each corner of the gutter. These downspouts should be free of clutter or debris to prevent clogging in the channel.
The gutter is crucial in controlling water, especially during heavy rains, to ensure water will not reach other roof membranes like the underlayment and the attic. When there is standing water, moisture will start to accumulate.
Moisture intrusion will eventually damage different parts of the roof until it creeps to the attic’s insulation, the ceiling, and then the walls, giving more damage to these parts.
Gutters also Need Protection
Gutters are either galvanised steel, plastic, or PVC. They are the ones to get replaced the most. All sorts of dirt get confined in the gutter (animal droppings, dead leaves, bird’s nests, sand or mud, seeds, twigs) that add weight and cause sagging, misalignment, and holes that give passage to leaks.
Neglecting the condition of your gutter will have a significant impact on the whole roofing system. Damage that begins from the gutter will affect its components, the facia and soffit. This will not only distort the appearance of the roof but will affect its structure as well.
Some residents request their gutters have gutter guards to keep large debris from collecting there. Dead tree leaves and twigs often caught up on unguarded gutters. Get the best gutter system from reputable roofing companies like DRE Bristol Roofers to avoid installing gutters of poor quality.
More on gutter guard and gutter maintenance
The gutter guard helps control gutter erosion. But without it, regular cleaning makes a difference in keeping debris away, which is the cause of gutter and downspout clogging.
Though it is challenging to keep the roof dry, you need to hire skilled people to check the gutter system.
In the winter season, ice formation causes heavy leaks and other roof problems. So cleaning the gutter system regularly keeps the water free-flowing.
Have a roofer install a gutter guard instead of doing it by yourself. This means you no longer have to risk personal injuries from climbing the roof and handling repairs intended for professionals.
DRE Bristol Roofers offer the best roof cleaning services to keep your gutter clean and maintained.
Fascia
The fascia is that part of the roof that can be seen all over the roof’s edge. It is made of a horizontal plyboard placed at the bottom of the gutter.
The fascia protects your roof together with the other underlying structures, such as the soffit, for function and aesthetic appeal.
Though you may think of the fascia as a plain wooden plank, it protects the tiles and iron sheets and the gutter built above it. The fascia, soffit, and gutter complete the roofing exterior structure.
The fascia may crack, rot, warp with heat, or fade with exposure to sun and rain. Unlike the gutter, the fascia could be maintained by repainting.
If the gutter has leaked, the fascia is the first recipient of leaks. Moisture buildup will then cause damage to it.
Regular maintenance, with repainting, prevents fascia damage.
Soffit
The soffit is hidden from plain sight. It is attached and nailed to the other roofing sections, such as rafters and underlayment.
The facia, soffit, and gutter make the perfect fit together. The soffit does not stand there for curb appeal as a bit isolated from gutter and fascia. It provides ventilation for the roof, so there is room for air to circulate and prevent moisture buildup.
Sagged plyboard, rotten wood, and the presence of pests are signs of a damaged soffit.
You will suspect if a roof is old just by looking at the soffit and fascia. Old soffits may look shabby when you see broken parts, rotten bird nests, animal droppings, and infestation from all sorts of insects and pests. Other signs of worn-out soffits are rotting, moss buildup, leaks, and sag.
Conclusion
The next time you experience leaks in your home, check these roofing structures. Turn to DRE Bristol Roofers if you think you need help with your roof. We’ll make sure your roof is fixed and will protect you and your family.
