How to Find The Pitch of a Roof?

Your roof is a part of your home that you cannot do without because it has been designed to keep you safe from the elements and bring about some decorative qualities and practicality. The pitch of the roof is arguably its biggest element. But How to find the pitch of a roof? Knowing your pitch can be crucial when performing repairs and replacements as well as planning renovations and selecting roofing materials; A2Z Roofing in Sherwood Park offers expert guidance in finding your pitch.

Why Is Roof Pitch Important?

Ascertaining your roof pitch can come in handy in various scenarios:

• Material Selection: Selecting roofing materials with different roof pitches is an option; steeper roofs are suitable in places with heavy snow as they allow easy slide of snowfall while lower pitched roofs might work best when high winds come.
• Roof Repairs and Replacements: Whether your roof needs repairs or a new roof, the category that your roof falls in lets you gauge the amount of labor and materials that you need.
• Roof Maintenance: The rafters of the roof, on this account, can be viewed as the main factor that affects the frequency of repair. Steeper roofs are more likely to have fewer accumulations of leaves and branches, therefore, they are less likely to need frequent clearing tasks.
• Building Codes and Permits: Local building codes may include regulations about roof pitch that must be observed to comply with local building codes in your area, so being informed about what roof pitch your home requires ensures compliance.
• Aesthetics: Your house pitch plays a huge role in its look and feel. A steeper pitch creates more drama while lower pitches offer a more contemporary aesthetic.

Determining Roof Pitch: Two Safe Methods

There are two primary methods for establishing your roof pitch:

Method 1: Rise Over Run Approach

This method involves measuring two components of your roof:

• Rise: Rise refers to the vertical distance from the underside of the roof deck at the ceiling up to the highest point on a roof.
• Run: This refers to the horizontal distance from where your rise measurement ends to your house’s exterior wall. Ideally, the run should be calculated based on where a fascia board runs along roof edges where it meets an exterior wall.

Check out Fascia Installation services at A2Z Roofing!

Steps include:

1. Safety First: When comfortable, climb onto your roof directly to take measurements, otherwise use an attic ladder with clear visibility of all rafters to access and take measurements from there.
2. Measure the Rise: To measure the rise, place a level flush against one rafter extending toward the peak of the roof, marking off an approximate spot on it 12 inches from where it meets with it.
3. Measure the Run: Holding the tape measure vertically between the 12-inch mark on your level and the underside of the roof deck will give an accurate representation of its run (riser). This distance represents its rise.
4. Calculating Pitch: Divide rise by run (rise/run). This will yield a decimal value; in roofing industry terms this would typically be expressed as a ratio (for instance: 4:12). To convert to this format multiply the decimal value by 12.

Method 2: Using Rafter Length

If accessing your roof or attic is impractical, another method for determining its pitch involves using the pre-cut length of a rafter that has an angle that corresponds with the intended roof pitch. These pre-cut rafters typically come pre-made.

1. Locate Rafter Information: To locate information on rafter cutting angles, check any markings or labels attached to it that indicate its position; alternatively, consult blueprints or construction plans of your house that may specify these angles for you.
2. Find the Corresponding Pitch: Use a rafter pitch chart to find the pitch that corresponds to the rafter’s cutting angle. These charts are readily available online or at roofing supply stores.

Additional Considerations for Success

Here are a few more pointers to keep in mind:

• Multiple Pitch Roofs: When measuring multiple pitch roofs, measure each section individually to ascertain which pitch it falls under. This way you will have a clearer idea of your overall pitch profile.
• Complex Roof Designs: When dealing with complex designs such as hips and valleys, calculating pitch can become more of a task than anticipated. Consulting an experienced roofer for accurate measurements is advised for accurate readings.

Advantages of Working With A2Z Roofing Solutions

Knowing the roof pitch will assist in time-to-time decisions like maintenance, repairs, and replacement. At A2Z Roofing in Sherwood Park, we can be there every step of the way with comprehensive roofing services such as:

• Roof Inspection and Repair Solutions 
• Roof Replacements
• New roof installations 

Contact A2Z Roofing today for a complimentary consultation to answer any queries about your roof pitch and ensure it remains in top condition for years to come. We’re standing by!