Flat Roof Sagging

Damage to the roof s surface permits an entryway for water and the subsequent weakening and sagging of the rooftop.

Flat roof sagging. Excess weight along the roof can occur from snowfalls. A wavy or sagging roof can be the result of one of several issues. Fixing a truss or rafter. Sagging roof lines can originate with the horizontal ceiling rafters.

When the roof framing is assembled two ceiling rafters are often joined together to create a longer span. Grab a flashlight and head up to your attic to inspect your roof rafters and decking specifically those where your roof is sagging. Being nervous about a sagging roof is understandable. So just you know doing some surgical cutting of the drywall may not get you to a solution here.

Low quality materials are more prone to water and weather damage and generally deteriorate faster. Sagging or low spots in a flat roof may be due to undersized or weakened roof joists or problems with the buildup layers beneath the exposed roofing. The other thing that causes this type of sag is an excessively long roof rafter without proper bracing and in old house that s not so unusual. So what happens with those elements is that you get more sagging and delamination of the roof sheathing.

Water damage from rain and snow can lead to a sagging roof. Weakened sheathing rotting joists and sagging insulation are some possible causes. The roofing structure should be in good condition to allow adequate water runoff from the shingles. If structural damage or decomposition is to blame it may be best to tear out the section of roofing and repair the problem before filling the hole.

The most important step when fixing dips in a flat roof is to determine the cause of the problem. Even the highest quality materials don t last forever though. Most people without any construction experience know that a roof should be flat and not wavy or sagging. Foundation problems with the house.