Weathering strong gusts of wind, the ravaging summer sun, countless drops of rain and many other of Mother Nature’s most challenging conditions, your roof is a critical part of your building. It protects your home’s frame, your belongings and your family, and it’s a key element in your home’s curb appeal.
To perform all of these vital functions, your roof is more than just a layer of shingles or tiles and a few bits of flashing. It’s a technologically advanced combination of protective layers, barriers and other components that work together to create a leak-free roofing system. At Lowcountry Roofing, the process of laying this intricate network of under layers, edges, sealers and flashing is referred to as an integrated system. Discovering what goes into your roof’s structure can help you understand what steps your professional Charleston roofing contractor is taking to ensure that you have a strong, weather-resistant and attractive roof for years to come.
If your roof is being completely replaced or if your home is newly constructed, the work begins with your roof deck. Once your plywood roof deck is laid, your roofer will usually cover it with a self-adhesive under layer that is waterproof. This under layer is critical because it helps to seal over nail holes where the plywood roof deck is attached to the house frame. Most importantly, it also helps keeps water or ice from penetrating into the plywood and causing leaks or rotting.