Houston Roofing Contractors

About Houston Roofing

Houston's Roofing contractors provide a number of services in addition to laying new roofs for new constructions. These include renovation, catastrophe restoration, roof repairs, preventive maintenance, gutter replacement and cleaning, drain cleaning, window replacements, leak detection and repairs, and even water heater vents installation. Depending on location and weather, they also undertake snow and algae removal.

Typical Climate in Houston

Houston experiences cold winters that dip as low as 41 degrees Fahrenheit and warm summers when the mercury rises to the 90s. This extreme fluctuation in temperatures often calls for preventive maintenance on roofs in order to prevent leaks and related damage to buildings. Tropical storms are also a characteristic feature of summer in Houston. Hurricanes and tropical storms being common, roofing in Houston requires weatherproof solutions that will minimize damages and offer security to the homeowner.

Special Considerations for Roofs of Tall Buildings

Houston has its share of modern facades, including a number of tall buildings that dot the skyline. Downtown Houston boasts about 45 skyscrapers over 400 feet in height, the tallest of which is the JP Morgan Chase Tower, standing at an awesome 1002 feet. The Wells Fargo Bank Plaza follows at a close 992 feet. In addition, five other Houston buildings claim the honour of being among the ten tallest buildings in Texas. Considerable effort goes into maintaining and beautifying these structures and their roofs.

In general, the roofs of tall buildings have some special considerations. First, it is the norm for such buildings to have the HVAC equipment for the entire building situated on the roof. Additionally, some skyscrapers host a helipad on their roofs. As a result, a flat roof, rather than a slanted or jagged one, is often a design feature of tall buildings. Flat roofs require attention to rain water drainage that might happen more naturally on other styles of roof. Specially designed "skuppers" equipped with waterproof membrane can be installed to pipe excess water off the roof. The system will need periodic inspection and maintenance to avoid leaks.

Natural Disasters Affecting Roofs in Houston

Improper maintenance is often at the root of roof problems, but in Houston, weather-related damage is a close contender. Tropical thunderstorms with high winds can cause considerable damage to Houston roofs. Over time, nails and fastenings can loosen causing roofing materials to be less secure and vulnerable to damage even in moderately strong wind. Some wind-related problems can be minimized with a secure perimeter fastener.

In strong storms, flying debris can also strike a roof and cause holes or tears. Hail can strike roofs and cause holes or weakening. Rain and precipitation can also cause leaks in ill-maintained roofs which can then escalate into major complications at a later date.

General Information about Houston

Houston has a population of over 4 million people. The city, founded in 1836, has a number of modern skyscrapers as well as heritage buildings with a variety of roofs at various elevation levels. Being the capital city in the State of Texas, Houston is a bustling centre of business, trade, arts, culture, and recreation.