5 Reasons Your Patio Roof May Need A Different Repair Schedule

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Most homeowners view their entire roof as one single entity. However, some portions of the roof could actually require specialized attention. One of the most common is the roof over a backyard entertainment zone or patio. Why? Here are a few reasons you may need to assess this differently.

1. It May Be Older or Newer

Was your backyard entertainment area put up at the same time the house was built? Was it in existence the last time your overall roof was replaced? Do you even know its true age? If different sections of the roof were added at different times, they age at different rates. Therefore, your main roof might be fine while your patio roof is reaching the end of its lifespan — or vice versa. 

2. Activities Are Different

What goes on under the roof of your backyard patio or hardscape entertainment area may be very different from other areas. For instance, the use of open fire directly underneath it can affect the roof. It may be at an increased risk of fire, get smoke damage, or experience temperature changes. Changes in roofing materials might help reduce these risks. 

3. The Materials May Not Match

The patio roof itself may or may not visually match the rest of the house, but that doesn't tell you how similar the actual materials are. Older facets of the roof might be made of less modern materials, or they could be made from completely different materials — such as felt underlayment rather than synthetics. Therefore, you may need to keep an eye out for different problems. 

4. Roofing Contractors Vary

Did the same contractor put on both the main roof and the outdoor room roof? If not, you may face a variation in quality and installation. The main roof could have been installed by a thorough and experienced roofer while corners were cut to add the patio roof later. Or the opposite might be true. 

5. It Faces Different Pressures

How does the structure of this roof differ from the main house? In many ways, the two are similar. But there are subtle differences. For instance, the patio roof may not have the same options for ventilation since there's no attic. If you live in an area that gets snow and ice, this opens up the possibility of ice dams. And the patio has three sides of edging to form ice dams whereas nearby roof sections may have only one or two.  

Where to Learn More

If you don't know much about your patio roof or you haven't had it inspected lately, now is the perfect time to learn more. For more information, contact a roofer near you.


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