Cleveland sits in the primary snow belt off Lake Erie, which means apartment complexes regularly face snow accumulations exceeding 60 inches per season. Flat roofs on multi-family housing must be engineered for these loads or risk structural failure. Building codes in Cleveland require roofs to support a minimum snow load of 30 pounds per square foot, but older buildings constructed before updated code revisions may not meet this standard. When snow melts during the day and refreezes at night, ice dams form at roof drains and parapet walls, blocking water drainage and forcing meltwater under the membrane. This cycle destroys roofing systems in five to seven years instead of the expected 20.
Property managers in Cleveland need roofing contractors who understand local building department expectations and can navigate the permit process without delays. Cuyahoga County inspectors require sealed engineering drawings for any structural modifications, detailed drainage plans showing positive slope, and proof of proper insulation values for energy code compliance. We work with local engineers and submit complete permit packages that pass review on the first submission. Our familiarity with Cleveland building officials means faster approvals and fewer costly resubmissions, keeping your project on schedule and your units generating revenue.
