Roof Retrofits- . NCO Inc. . 2025

Defending Your Roof Against Wildfire:

Your roof is your home’s first defense against wildfire but can become a major vulnerability without proper fortification. An old or compromised roof can allow embers to settle, ignite, and spread flames across your home. Using Class A fire-rated materials and sealing all gaps and openings is crucial in protecting your home from fire and ember intrusion. Whether it’s a full roof replacement or a targeted retrofit, reinforcing your roof can drastically reduce wildfire risks. From drip edge repairs to non-combustible attachments, every upgrade brings your roof closer to meeting California’s Wildfire Mitigation Program standards, ensuring it stands strong when it matters most.

Key Points:

Use Class A fire-rated materials for full or partial roof replacements.
Seal gaps and openings in existing Class A roofs.
Repair or replace damaged roof drip edges and valleys.
Use non-combustible materials for roof attachments and maintain clearance.
Follow building code requirements for all repairs and installations.

This section details various roof retrofit options to meet California’s Wildfire Mitigation Program code. Here's a breakdown:

Roof Retrofits:

Full Roof Replacement:

If your roof is severely compromised, replace the entire roof assembly with a Class A fire-rated roof (the highest fire resistance rating).
Use similar code-compliant materials for the replacement with a 30-year lifespan.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and building code requirements (CBC or CRC) for roof assemblies.

Partial Roof Retrofit:

If only specific sections of your roof need improvement, replace those sections with Class A fire-rated materials.
Follow the same principles as a full roof replacement for materials, lifespan, and building code compliance.

Roof Gap and Opening Repairs:

Seal gaps and openings in your Class A roof to block ember intrusion and prevent ignition of decking materials.
Use bird stops at eaves (where applicable) and mud-in hip and ridge caps to prevent embers or fire from entering.

Roof Drip Edge Repair:

Fix or replace damaged or missing drip edges.
Install new drip edge flashing to protect the combustible deck underneath the roof from embers, flames, or radiant heat.
Ensure the drip edge extends down to the gutter.

Combustible Roof Attachment Mitigation:

If you have combustible attachments on your roof (solar panels, air conditioners, etc.), ensure they are attached with non-combustible materials.
Maintain adequate clearance underneath these attachments to prevent debris accumulation.

Compliance References:

CBC (California Building Code): Sections 705A, 705A.2, 705A.3, 1503.2, 15 Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures
CRC (California Residential Code): Sections R337.5.2, R337.5.3, R903.2, 9 Roof Assemblies

Disclaimer: The California Wildfire Mitigation Program Home Hardening Initiative recommends the following measures to retrofit a residence. Please note that not all retrofits listed are available in the Lake County Home Hardening Program.