How Do I Know If My Roof Deck Needs Replacing?
How Do I Know If My Roof Deck Needs Replacing?
The following are some indications that your roof decking may be damaged:
1. A dripping roof.
Water leaks are one of the most common concerns and are typically the first clue that anything is wrong with your roof. During a storm, you may notice a few drops or a continuous stream of water coming from one spot on your roof.
2. Stains on the ceiling or walls
Outside the attic, you may notice water stains on the walls and ceilings of the rooms just below, as well as water leaks during a storm.
This discoloration is usually yellow or brown and may spread, darken, or worsen after a storm. This is an indication that water is getting in from somewhere on your roof or surrounding areas.
3. A droopy ceiling or roofline.
If the ceiling or roofline is saggy, you are probably getting moisture from inside the source or not from outside. This sign that water is finding its way into your living space from an unexpected place.
The other reason for the droopy ceiling or roofline may be a leak in the thermal insulation, built by heat and cold.
4. Roof apex holes.
A hole is usually cut for each chimney when the roof is new. After a few years, that hole may leak, and you will start to see water stains inside the house.
This will eventually lead to water leaking across the ceiling or possibly into the attic if there are no roof vents. Water damage can also be caused by roof damage, such as cracks and broken shingles.
5. Mildew or mold in the attic.
When this happens, you should inspect your roof decking. If the leak is located in that area, you will find wet, moldy areas and possibly mold or mildew growing on your ceiling. This is a major sign that water penetrates through the decking and into the house.
6. Deterioration around flashing or chimneys.
Roof damage can sometimes be concentrated around certain features such as skylights, vents, and chimneys.
The flashing material is used to seal these areas. This flashing has the potential to come loose, crack, or create holes. Water can infiltrate these places if this occurs.
Leaks around your skylight or chimney, as well as elevated, loose, or missing flashing, can indicate roof problems in these locations.
7. Significant increases or decreases in heating or cooling bills.
If you have a new furnace and water heater, it is unlikely that your heating or cooling bills will increase.
However, notice you are paying more for natural gas than in the past, or you are having to use more electricity than normal. It may be an indication that a larger-than-normal area on your roof is leaking water.
8. Shingles are missing, cracked, or curling.
If you can see the roof decking from the ground or missing shingles or curled shingles on your roof, those areas are leaking. However, you may also notice this problem before you can see the damage from the ground level.
Sagging ceilings or floors covered with wet material can indicate these leaks, especially in older homes.
9. Sagging roof.
Sagging roof decking has a tendency to sag. Sagging shingles will make it more difficult for water to leak through the roof. The sagging shingles are rotting away and dropping off. Water can seep into your home from an open area on your roof deck or around your chimney if there is one.
10. Smoke alarms going off without smoke or fire.
If you have a smoke alarm that keeps going off, there may be more to it than a false alarm. If you have a lot of rain, for example, and your smoke alarm starts going off nonstop, it could be your roof decking getting wet and warped. This can cause the smoke detector to go off.
Can I Build A Roof Deck In NYC?
Permits are required in NYC to add a roof deck to an existing structure. All work must be registered with the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB).
A roof deck would be filed with the DOB as an Alteration Type 1 (Alt 1) or Alteration Type 2 (Alt 2). (Alt 2). It should be noted that you must have a permit to build a roof deck in New York.
A substantial number of fire-resistant building materials have an inherently fire-resistant property and are designed to prevent or suppress fires.
This type of fireproofing material is installed for the following reasons: to cover the frame; with an exposed timber structure or timbers; as part of the building envelope, such as an exposed wooden framework.
