Alaskan Investor Learning Curve: flat roofs

[Nick Bruckner]

Obviously flat roofs aren’t curved. Or sloped. That can be a problem in Alaska. Buildings in parts of the country have these cheap to build lids without issues. In Southcentral Alaska, where there are big snow loads and a freeze/thaw/freeze pattern throughout the winter, the ice can damage seams or imperfections in the roof surface and cause premature leaks, which lead to mold and other issues. They are a bad design for the Arctic and sub arctic. Many commercial and multi family buildings have them, and so it is super important to have documentation of roof maintenance or a qualified roofing inspector inspect in the summer (when there isn’t snow) in the due diligence process. They can be ok if we’ll maintained, but a sloped roof on a multi family investment is a huge plus! Working with local Alaskan RE professionals with building experience can save you from a deal that looks good on paper but has returns that end up being, well, flat…or worse.

[Jerry V.]

Just FYI guys, all (most that haven't shifted) flat roofs DO have a slope to them.  Even if it's a 1.5/12 pitch, there IS a slope/pitch to them.  I don't know the codes up there, but I'm sure it's specified as such there as well.  You may not be able to tell that there is a pitch to them even, but 99% of the time, it's there.  They are usually pitched to one side, or two.  Or designed in a way to have center drains built in at different locations.

Most simple builds/ systems will slope it to one direction, others will use "tapered panels" (now made with ISO not the perlite material as in years past) to create the form work and pitches (usually they are mechanically fastened, or can be glued down), then the top layers are put on top of those... to drain to a side or to the the drains as referenced.

If you have specific "roof" questions, feel free to reach out any time.

(with J's Roofing , Richardson, TX)