Roofs are repair-friendly. However, there is one major roofing component that is not: the roof deck. In today’s post, the local roofers at Quality Assurance Roofing explains the role of roof decking and why it must be replaced if it’s damaged.
What Is Roof Decking?
The roof deck or sheathing is a layer of plywood, composite or oriented strand board (OSB) that covers the trusses or rafters. It creates a flat surface to where the rest of the roofing system, from the underlayment to the outer roofing material, is fastened. The side that faces the attic can be filled with insulating material such as expanding foam. If kept in good condition, a roof deck can be used for two roof installations.
Causes of Roof Deck Damage
The primary cause of damage to the roof deck is moisture infiltration. Decking is made of wood and is, therefore, vulnerable to rot caused by contact with moisture. This is why a standard roofing system has a moisture barrier called the underlayment – it protects the roof deck from moisture infiltration in case the outer roofing material is damaged or punctured. It’s important to note that moisture infiltration, more often than not, happens unnoticed. A small puncture that penetrates the roof can be enough to cause rot sight unseen and won’t be noticed by the homeowner until signs, such as water stains and clumping insulation are evident.
Why Can’t Roof Decking Be Repaired?
Roof decking is made of large single boards, which supports most of the roof area. Since it’s also a part of the roof’s support structure, spot repairs would be impractical. In case of localized damage (that is, the damage is limited to a small area), the entire board will need to be replaced. Other areas will also need to be inspected by the roofer to make sure that no other areas are affected. This underlines the importance of regular roof inspections. The longer leaks remain unrepaired, the greater the extent of the repairs (and its associated costs) will be.
Quality Assurance Roofing is your leading provider of roofing. Give us a call at (479) 279-8500 or (417) 799-7889. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Springdale and Rogers, AR, as well as in Branson, MO.
