Winter is here, however it hasn't really gotten cold and snowy yet so, if you haven't already, here are a few things you may want to check to make sure your roof is winterized... Step 1: Start At The Top! Look for missing shingles, warping, staining or mold, raised and loose shingles. Missing shingles, along with raised shingles can allow water to get into your home. Step 2: Gutters Clogged gutters mean disaster for your roof! Check your gutters for holes and cracks that may prevent them from functioning properly. Make sure to remove any debris from your gutters so that water can run freely through the gutters and into the downspouts away from your foundation. Step 3: Overhanging Limbs Overgrown tree limbs and branches rubbing against your roof should be removed. Dead tree limbs can penetrate through your roof and cause damage during wind storms or as ice and snow builds up on the branches. Step 4: Your Attic Most people don't go into their attic and really inspect for roof problems on a regular basis. Look at the roof decking and check for minor leaks that may not be visible inside your home. Also check for adequate ventilation which is required for your roof to function properly. You may need to insulation attic spaces to ensure your attic is insulated and ventilated. Step 5: Check Flashings This one is best handled by a professional roofing contractor but some people may want to do it on their own. Secure any loose flashings. Signs of damage or current leaking points may need to be replaced. This is extremely important around chimneys, plumbing pipe jacks and other and replace all that show signs of damage or leakage, paying special attention to areas around chimneys, plumbing vents, and other roof projections. Step 6: Chimney inspections are really important Do not skip this step. Having your chimney inspected by a professional roofing contractor or chimney contractor is so important. If you have a wood burning fireplace you should always have your chimney inspected before starting a fire in your fireplace every year! Over time, the mortar in a brick chimney can decay and need to be tuck pointed. Water proofing around your brick is always fairly common in older homes. Chimney flashings are often not replaced at the time a new roof is installed and can lead to leaks down the road. Step 7: Animals You may love to see little squirrels in your back yard. But these little animals can quickly become a PEST if they decide to take up residence in your attic. As colder temperatures arrive, squirrels, mice, raccoons, and even birds may see your attic as a warm place to call home for the winter. Leaving these animals to reside in the warmth of your attic can cause big problems and extensive damage. These simple steps can give you peace of mind as winter continues. Please call my team at Class Eh! Roofing for all your roofing needs ….any season at all. Phone: 289-687-6924 Email: [email protected]
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A roof quote is dependent on a lot of factors. Here are the top ones to consider as each roof is unique.
1. The Pitch The slope measurement, or the roof’s pitch, will affect the final quote from your roofing contractor. In general, the steeper a roof is, the higher the price. Steep roofs are more dangerous to scale, and your contractor may need additional team members and equipment to complete the project safely. 2. Home Size and Shape The size of the home affects roof replacement costs, because you will need to purchase more materials to get the job done, and labor will take longer. Also, roofs with multiple towers are harder to re-roof, and they require more time and equipment that may drive the price up. 3. Structural Problems or Water Damage If your roof is severely damaged, your contractor may need to conduct in-depth repairs. When major structural areas that support the roof are moldy or rotting, eradicating all the degrading material and replacing it will be a central part of the project. 4. Desired Roofing Material One of the big features of your re-roofing quote will be the type of material you plan on using. If you purchase premium shingles (slate may be an example), costs will be higher than traditional asphalt shingles. 5. Extent of Demolition Involved Are there multiple roofing material layers on your home? That means demolition will be a much more involved process. If you aren’t sure about this, your contractor can look for you. Installing new shingles over old is not recommended, and it’s a definite problem that must be addressed over the course of the roof replacement project. 6. Other Things to Install Are you replacing your gutter system as well? Do you plan on having a coating or waterproof underlayment added? Would you like a new skylight? Every extra system or feature that you add will ultimately affect your total, some more than others. For all your roofing needs please contact Class Eh! Roofing and we will make sure you get the best roof for the best price. Call: 289-687-6924 Email: [email protected] Any time of year you may notice buckling shingles on your roof. What is that? Buckling shingles look like something is underneath the shingles pushing them upward. You also may have curling shingles, where the center of the shingle is sunken and the edges turn up. Both issues are noticeable from ground level and if you notice this problem, I recommend you contact a good roofer. What causes these issues? MOISTURE You may have curling or buckling shingles for a number of reasons, but the usual culprit is moisture. Moisture is damaging to a roofing system. If you had a roof replacement recently but kept the same roof decking, the wood may have absorbed moisture before the new roof was installed. Moisture can make the decking move and cause the shingles to buckle. The underlayment also could have absorbed moisture. This could make the underlayment wrinkle and push the shingles upward. Both issues require the attention of a professional and repair may involve replacing damaged shingles and wrinkled parts of the underlayment. VENTILATION Out of all the causes of buckling shingles, the most common and the most damaging reason is not enough ventilation in the attic. Hot air and condensation build up in the attic and make the shingles curl or buckle away from their proper place on the roof. While curling or buckling shingles may be the result of an attic ventilation problem, a lack of proper airflow affects more than just the shingles. In the winter, an attic without enough ventilation can lead to ice dams. Hot air that escapes from your home rises to the attic and becomes trapped. It heats up the roof and causes snow and ice to melt, only to have the water refreeze on the eaves. This causes a backup of moisture that can rot your roof deck and create the perfect environment for mold to grow in your attic. In the summer, an overly hot attic makes your air conditioner work harder than ever to cool down your home. This causes the A/C to wear out faster than it should, and makes your cooling bills higher. On top of these issues, attic ventilation that is having issues means your roof will degrade faster than normal. The buckling and curling make it so the asphalt shingles don’t protect your home from precipitation like they should. For all your roofing needs, please contact my team at Class Eh! Roofing and we can help you get to the bottom of any problems for a dry and comfortable home! Call: 289-687-6924 Email: [email protected] At some point, if you own a home or business, chances are you are going to need to contemplate roof repairs or replacement.
When the time comes it is important that you have some relevant questions on hand to make sure you pick the right contractor for the job. Here are my top 5 picks: QUESTION: ARE YOU INSURED? Reliable roofing contractors should have a workers compensation and liability insurance that will protect their client from liabilities and expenses if there is an accident while the roofing project is in motion. QUESTION: ARE YOU LICENSED? A business permit allows a company to do business in your area. A contractor or roofer’s license certifies that one has passed the qualifications that let them offer and perform services related to roofing. QUESTION: WHAT WARRANTIES DO YOU OFFER? Warranties give you a guarantee that your roof will not fall apart after it was installed. Manufacturer warranties cover the roofing materials while labour warranties cover the work of the roofer. QUESTION: CAN YOU INSTALL A NEW ROOF OVER THE EXISTING ONE? Depending on the condition of your roofing, in some instances an experienced roofer can definitely install a new roof over the existing one. On the other hand, complete removal ensures the elimination of all old problems. QUESTION: WILL YOU CLEAN UP AND TAKE CARE OF ALL THE DISCARDED MATERIALS? A clean roofing job is very important and the proper disposal of discarded roofing materials is key to this. You need to work with a roofer that puts a high priority on cleanliness to make sure that you won’t have to deal with cleaning and disposal yourself later on. I hope you found some useful information here and for all your roofing needs, please contact my team at Class Eh! Roofing here in niagara. Call: 289-687-6924 Email: [email protected] |
AuthorWayne Jeffreys is a native of Niagara-On-The-Lake and owner of Niagara based roofing company Class Eh Roofing! Archives
October 2024
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