How To Ensure Your Roof Won’t Leak After Installation
When you write that final cheque and watch your roofer drive away, you still hope you hired the right company. You don’t want to find out you were wrong the next time it rains, or even worse, find out two years later that it has been leaking slowly undetected and caused mold and rot in your attic.
Get a proper roof inspection in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland – because inspectors can work for you before your new roof is installed. Do it right and feel secure that your roof won’t leak after installation.
Doing the Job Right is Tough and Technical
Contrary to popular belief, roofing is a very technical job. It’s also very tough and Read Full Article »
How to Effectively Handle the Moss on Your Roof
It is not always necessary to replace a roof if there is moss growing on it. Moss can damage the shingles, but it’s possible that the roof is still OK. Some good roof moss removal work may be all you need.
Have Moss Removed Sooner Rather Than Later
Moss grows into the structure of a roof shingle and weakens it. On an asphalt roof, moss can cause the granules, that are on the shingle to protect it from the sun, to fall off. On a cedar shingle roof, moss keeps the wood damp for an extended length of time and thus accelerates the rotting and disintegration of the wood.
Therefore, to prolong the life of your roof, it is best to have moss removed as soon as you notice it.
The Moss Removal Process – Always in the Summer
If the shingles are not too damaged already, moss can be removed. This must be Read Full Article »
Caution! Is Your Roofing Contractor Insured by WorkSafeBC?
Most homeowners are not aware of this BC law.
WorkSafeBC legislation places responsibility on you, the property owner, to be sure everyone working on your property is registered with WorkSafeBC, and that their insurance premiums are paid in full.
Of course, that includes your roofing contractors. If a roofing contractor that is not insured with WorkSafeBC is injured while working on your roof or property, you the homeowner may be liable for that contractor’s injuries.
A Prominent BC Politician Was Liable for a Roofer’s Injuries
In 2012, former Premier Gordon Campbell was ruled to be legally responsible for the death of a worker who fell through an open skylight the year before at his vacation home. That worker was not registered with WorkSafeBC.
Roofers’ Rates
Roofing is a particularly dangerous profession and consequently has the highest insurance rates in the Read Full Article »
Determining the Best Value When Choosing a Roofing Contractor
A new roof system is a big investment and it is important to get the best value for your money.
That said, actually choosing a Vancouver roofing contractor can be confusing. For starters, prices vary from one to another. So do products, promises, warranties, references, testimonials and so on.
There are ways to help someone determine what the best value is – and it isn’t necessarily based on price. Instead, start by asking the most fundamental question…
What is the Basic Purpose of a Roof?
Properly installed, a roof prevents water, weather and mould from getting into a home. A good roof keeps that home well Read Full Article »
Quality Roof Labour Makes the Difference – Shingle Installation Part 3
Roof differences are not just about what they’re made of. Some may try to say one material is better than another, but in the end, it’s the quality of work and installation that makes the biggest difference. A reputedly strong roof material is no good if it isn’t installed well. An asphalt shingle roof is just as good as any other, if not better – provided the roof shingle installation is done properly.
Differences of Nailing Roof Shingles: Application and Technique
In Part 2 of this 3-blog shingle installing series, we showed that professionals know how to properly use tools like pneumatic nail guns. These are important, but can be Read Full Article »
Roof Differences: Proper Shingle Nailing Techniques – Part 2
In Part 1 of our shingle nailing series, we showed that skill, training, and craftsmanship are the most important part of quality roof work. Here in Part 2, we look at where to nail shingles and what nailing techniques to avoid, regardless of roof differences.
Where to Nail Asphalt Shingles
Material roof differences like cedar, slate and tar all require experts to install. It’s not just about the type of roof but the quality of the workmanship. Any shortcuts taken by the installers will cause problems. It takes skilled and experienced professionals to know exactly where and how to nail asphalt shingles. Nailing too high will cause shingles to lift and break in high winds. Nailing too low will create weak spots between the sheets. Both improper techniques can cause leaks even during light rain. Water damage leads to problems that worsen over time. There are two main nailing techniques that roofing professionals must master to do the job right. Four-Nail System: The four-nail system is common for homes with asphalt or architectural-style shingles.
- Drive a nail about ¾ of an inch from each end of the shingle.
- Find the tab breaks.
Quality Roof Labour Makes the Difference – Shingle Nailing Part 1
To install or repair any roof, quality work from skilled professionals is absolutely critical. Materials are important, but the quality of labour and skill makes all the difference.
It is astonishing how often something as basic as nailing roof shingles is done incorrectly. The best shingles are no good if the nailing causes them to leak, lift or split. You might see a roofing team in action in your neighbourhood, moving quickly with their nail guns, and think it’s pretty simple work. They make it look easy. But shingle nailing is an art that demands a burning desire to be the best at it. Do it wrong and a roof will leak and suffer serious damage.
This blog is the first of three that looks at the quality of this crucial roof work.
Damages Caused by a Leaky Roof
BC’s leaky condo crisis in the 1990s showed clearly how poor quality roof work and water infiltration cause huge damage. Even now, roofing companies still get “branded” by those Read Full Article »
How to Extend the Life of Your Flat Roof
How long should I expect my flat roof to last? Should it last as long as the warranty, should I expect it to last longer, or will it leak before the warranty is up?
These are some of the most common asked questions by business owners and property managers.
In this blog, these questions are answered by a professional and knowledge roofer in the Lower Mainland.
The Life Cycle of Your Roof
The life cycle of your roof depends on two things. The first is: was the roof properly installed in the first place. The second is how well has the flat roof been maintained.
For this blog we will assume the roof installation was done correctly. As a building owner or property manager, your goal is to Read Full Article »
Roof Repairs vs Reroofing for Vancouver Homeowners and Property Managers
So, there’s a problem with your roof. Maybe a leak, or loose shingles, or shingles that are curling, or maybe something else. How do Vancouver homeowners know what can be repaired or if they need a complete roof replacement?
Putting these problems off isn’t always an option. Ignoring small roof problems can lead to tons of expensive new ones and sometimes a crisis.
Many homeowners face this question every day and must ask themselves, should I repair my roof now and put off the expensive reroof or should I bite the bullet now and reroof? Here are some of the pros and cons of each to help you make this decision.
Roof Repair Benefits
- The cost is significantly lower for a roof repair if you don’t have all the money to cover a full reroof now
- If it’s a commercial building, a repair avoids the non tax deductible capital expense of a new roof where repairs and maintenance are 100% tax deductible.
- Some types of roofs can be repaired and maintained almost indefinitely if put on a proper maintenance schedule. This can put off the large capital expense of a new roof.
Roof Maintenance in Vancouver’s Rainy Season
Regular roof maintenance is necessary for Vancouver business or property owners to get through the rainy season unscathed. The Lower Mainland is a rainforest area, so rain is far more common than snow. Continuous rain can take a much bigger toll on a roof than snow, but your roof needs to withstand any type of precipitation or winter conditions.
Roof leaks are the most common problem in the rainy season. It doesn’t take much to cause just one leak, but it can lead to all kinds of costly problems like ruined ceilings, moisture in the walls, wood rot and
mould and overall damage to a property’s interior.
Trust roof maintenance experts to find leaks and repair them quickly.
Vancouver Roof Inspections
The best way to avoid roof leaks is through regular roof maintenance and repair. Thorough inspections of your roof’s shingles, Read Full Article »