In North Las Vegas, roof repairs primarily depend on the unique issues each roof faces. Because of the desert climate and the absence of sufficient shade, even the most durable roofing materials can expect a limited lifespan. Roofing systems here must withstand temperature extremes; roofs can reach well over 150° F in the direct sun, and even a slight evening drop can result in a near-100° F difference within a few hours. That's enough to loosen shingles (which also have a tendency to dry out in the 10-14% humidity) and to make rivets squeak and pop. We've had quite a few roofs in this area that have succumbed to the base material problems of shingles, don't expect too much from those in coming years! When you're working on your roof, realize that you are doing some of the hottest and most dangerous work in the construction field.
In North Las Vegas, flat roofs are a common choice because they are cost-effective and have a modern appearance. However, they can have significant problems, such as ponding water. Ponding is when water collects in depressions on a roof instead of draining away. Left unchecked, it can lead to leaking and serious deterioration of the roof structure. The most common way of dealing with a flat-roof ponding problem is to improve the drainage. So, for example, if a roof is draining towards the middle instead of the edges, the ponding problem might be dealt with in part just by redesigning the drainage so that the roof drains more towards the edges like a tilt-up flat roof, so to speak.
Tile roofs—another common roofing style in North Las Vegas—do require some specialized approaches when it comes to repair. Even though they are durable and cause a great visual impact when done correctly, they do have certain weak points. They can break, and they can also slip, which is more of a problem in areas where the roof is on a slope. A skilled roofer should be able to inspect a tile roof and find the weaknesses before they turn into bigger problems. A tile roof contains the same underlayment as a shingle roof, and tiles themselves are not particularly waterproof. In fact, a good tile roof should have a sound underlayment just as much as a shingle roof does. When repairs are needed, tile roofs are tricky to work on because of the weight and fragility of the tiles themselves. In both appearance and in the way they shed water, a properly maintained tile roof is hard to beat.
