Why Is Roof Decking Unrepairable?

One of the reasons why roofs last as long as they do is because they are mostly repairable. We say “mostly” because a key roofing component isn’t one of these — the decking. In today’s post, Chase Roofing LLC explains why, and what can be done if the decking is damaged.

The Role of Roof Decking

The roof deck is the flat plane where most of the outer materials, including asphalt shingles or standing seam sheet metal, are fastened to. Since decking is made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), it is vulnerable to moisture damage. This is why, on standard roofing systems, decking is protected by a layer of material called underlayment before the outer roofing is installed.

Why Deck Repair Is Impractical

Moisture infiltration may occur when the outer roofing is damaged by impact or high winds. Moisture may also make its way through vulnerable areas like the roof edge or at the valleys, if the flashing is damaged or torn away. Damage to the decking is not readily visible, and it is entirely possible for rot to spread unnoticed — this underlines the importance of having a professional roofer to inspect your roof after a storm.

Given the decking’s placement in a roofing system, spot repairs would not be practical. Let’s say, for example, your roof is in perfectly fine condition except for a puncture in a spot no larger than a foot square. Cutting out the affected part and patching it would create a “soft spot” that’s structurally unsound and would be vulnerable to further damage.

What Do Roofers Do to Fix Damaged Decking?

The good news is that you won’t have to resort to a complete roofing replacement just to fix a small spot. The standard approach is to replace the affected section of the roof, which would involve removing the entire board and everything on it. The roofer has to make sure that moisture barriers are installed over the underlayment seams, and that the replacement outer roofing must match the rest of the roof.

Chase Roofing LLC offers roofing and gutter repair and installation services to Williamsburg, VA, and the surrounding communities. To learn more about what we can do for your roof, give us a call at (757) 872-0700 or (757) 206-1948. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.