The pitch of the roof is something not a lot of homeowners consider during new installation and replacement, unaware of how important this detail is to the performance and longevity of the roof. Willi Roofing Services, your local roofing and gutter contractor, explains the importance of roof pitch.
What Does the Roof Pitch Do?
The main purpose of the roof pitch is to redirect water and snow away from the roof to keep it from accumulating on its surface. Even in areas that experience no snow and only mild rainfall, the pitch is still vital as it helps the roof shed debris, leaves and tree limbs that can otherwise damage it.
The pitch also dictates several things that are important for the roof, namely, the kind of material you’ll use, its architectural properties and which sections of the roof need to be covered.
What’s the Minimum Pitch
The minimum slope for the roof depends on both its profile and the material used. For your standard cedar shingles, the minimum pitch is 2/12 or 2 units of vertical rise for every 12 units of horizontal span. Asphalt shingles, on the other hand, requires a minimum slope of 17 degrees.
As for metal roofs, the minimum pitch is ideally 3 in 12, but it can go lower as certain metal roofs have special considerations regarding the pitch and how it’s installed. It’s always a good idea to consult your local roofer if you plan to install a metal roof. At Willi Roofing Services, we offer an in-depth consultation as part of our roof installation services.
Flat roofs are a unique case when it comes to roof pitch, as by nature, these roofs technically have no slope. In theory, a flat roof must have a minimum slope greater than one, but this is difficult to achieve. In many cases, the flat roof is slightly angled at one side where the water can freely divert into the gutters or similar water drainage components.
At Willi Roofing Services, you can count on us to help you with the pitch of your roof. We also offer gutter repair services. Call us today at (512) 504-7900 to learn more about our services. We offer roof installation services in Pflugerville, TX.
