A Toronto roof repair is in the cards when you have roofing issues. When homeowners neglect their roofs, they might be flooded with problems, and roofing contractors in Toronto will be tasked with eradicating the issues that have been detected. To preserve your assets, your roof is an out-of-sight, out-of-mind asset that requires continual monitoring by roofing contractors in Toronto. Unfortunately, the only method to identify roofing problems is to climb a ladder and visually inspect the roof. If the problem is urgent enough, such as a leak, flapping shingles, or missing broken or curled tiles, you could be looking at a hefty repair price or, worse, a complete roof tear-off and replacement. At Integrity Roofers, we’ve put together a handy guide for homeowners to help them identify the ten most typical problems they’ll face when maintaining a residential roofing system.
10 Roofing Issues and Their Solutions
Overhanging Tree Limbs
Trees provide a natural scenery around any property, but there is one concern. Trees that are too close to your home might be a significant issue for your roofing system. If the problem is low-hanging tree limbs, they scrape and wear away your shingles, causing leaks. Furthermore, trees do not clean up after themselves, so leaves and debris will accumulate on the roof and in the gutters, causing ponding and water drainage that spills over the eavestroughs.
If you have a storm that can remove a tree branch, it will fall right into the roof, causing long-term structural damage. In addition, trees provide reasonable access to your shelter for animals and rodents, removing roofing materials for nests or burrowing them into your roof, creating a safe environment that will ruin your roofing system. Before you begin any tree management efforts, consult an expert to determine the best action. Regular inspections will help protect your roofing system, as Mother Nature is not kind to roofing systems.
Gutters that are Ready to Give Out
Your eavestroughs were designed to drain water that freely flows from your shingles to your gutters, then to the ground via downspouts. However, ice dams in the winter and blockages at other times of the year pose a clear and present risk to eavestroughs. The extra weight from the ice dam will push the eavestrough away from the fascia, leaving a gaping hole through which water will escape.
When there is sediment in the gutters, it prevents water from draining properly, and when the pile develops, it forces water over the edges. A gutter guard or meshing is the most significant answer to the problem, but keep in mind that the guards must be cleaned regularly for maximum performance. Maintain a relationship with a competent roofing firm specializing in eavestrough cleaning to safeguard your roofing system and property.
Roof Leaks
Check the attic for discoloration that suggests roof leaks at regular intervals – drips are the most common identifier when it rains, but we can’t always be in the loft when it rains. Stains on the ceilings in the upper portion of the house are another evidence of a leak. Next, check the outside to see if there are any issues. If you leak, you will notice it just under the roofline at the edge of the roof; if it changes color or doesn’t appear suitable, you have a problem.
Skylights and vents can also cause water leaks. If your skylight is leaking, you will notice it right away. If you have vent difficulties, you will know about it when it’s too late, necessitating a significant investment in repair costs. You can produce a short-term remedy by sealing the areas where the leaks are, but in general, you should hire a professional to install a long-term solution to prevent future damage. If you aren’t a professional roofer, behave differently; instead, employ a residential roofing expert with the experience, knowledge, and tools to make an excellent repair.
Improper DIY Projects for Roofs
When weighing the benefits and drawbacks of DIY versus professional aid for roof repairs, remember that DIY methods inflict more harm than good. If you don’t have safety training, you could be hurt this fall when thousands of Canadians try to address roofing problems.
The best course of action is to get a qualified, licensed roofing contractor to come in and assess the issues. A skilled roofing contractor can get to the heart of the problem and provide an exit plan to fix the roofing problems you are experiencing by utilizing experience and professional understanding. In addition, using a professional will save money because they will be effective and resolve issues quickly due to their expertise.
Flashing Failures
When you have vents, skylights, chimneys, or satellite dishes on your roof, they must be enclosed with flashing. The flashing is a metal strip that surrounds the inserts to keep water out. Unfortunately, the flashing will have outlived its function and will begin to deteriorate, allowing water to infiltrate your roof structure. Therefore, flashing is also installed around the roof’s edge, joints, and seams, plugging the gap created by a valley on your top.
Flashing is the unsung hero of your roofing system, and it must be maintained with regular inspections to ensure the safety of your home. The most dangerous enemies of your home’s flashing are age, exposure, and bad installation. When you notice deteriorating flashing, contact a professional roofer to repair it before replacing your roof due to neglect.
Poor Ventilation
It may seem strange, but a roof needs to breathe, so vents are installed to keep the attic dry and cool. If your ventilation is too non-existent, your attic will be a sauna in the summer and frosty in the winter. Because of the damp, moist air, your trusses and decking will get spongy, causing the roof to sag over time. Once wood rot has set in, the only option to cure the problem is to tear down the entire roof, including the trusses.
Mould is another issue that can cause respiratory problems if inhaled over time, and mold multiplies if it has an environment to flourish in, such as a damp environment for spores to spread throughout the home. Poor ventilation can cost your HVAC system and monthly budget dearly – the A/C will work harder in the summer, and the heating component of the system will contribute to the overheated climate in the attic. Install vents at the gables, ridges, and roof edges to provide optimal ventilation for your home and keep your attic cool and dry all year.
Roof Gaps
Any roofing problem begins as a tiny irritation and progresses to become the worst nightmare of your life. If your roofing system receives damage that results in open holes, gaps between roof pieces, or membrane rips, degradation will occur swiftly and without warning. Water is a roof’s worst enemy; once inside a home, the previously mentioned mould concerns will endanger your health and well-being.
If you last inspected your roof a while ago, contact a professional to identify your difficulties and where you might find remedies. A professional roofing business is equipped to discover roofing issues such as holes or gaps that are not obvious to the human eye. They’ll catch them while they’re minor issues. Drone technology is one advancement that has decreased the damage caused by roofing problems when they are addressed on time.
Wear & Tear
We’d all like our roofs to last forever, but that’s not how it works. Shingles have a shelf life and must be replaced when they reach the end of their life cycle. While keeping up with your maintenance routine to replace broken shingles is important, there comes a moment when it is more cost-effective to replace the entire roof. As they say in athletics, Father Time is unbeatable, and Mother Nature will wreak havoc if she is not restrained.
Updating a roof that was installed more than 20 years ago will result in modern materials that are light years ahead of what was previously installed, as well as the benefit of not needing to repair the roof before selling your property. Using innovative materials that can endure a class A fire and Class 4 weather is the best way to safeguard your property from the risks and hazards that a roofing system confronts.
Shoddy Repairs and Incorrect Installation
Let’s face it: not everyone who claims to be a professional roofer actually is. Any homeowner could have difficulties right in front of their eyes and not realize it. Roofing work is built on trust, and homeowners expect their roofing contractor to grasp all of the intricacies of a roofing system. Poor repairs inevitably add to future roofing issues.
One of the most serious issues with inadequate installation is that it might void a warranty for installed devices that do not adhere to the manufacturer’s specifications. When you believe your warranty will cover a $10,000 roof repair, you discover that the previous contractor was inexperienced and lost your warranty in the process. In the event of a scenario like this, you should thoroughly evaluate your contractor before signing on the signed line.
Lack of Ongoing Maintenance
You repair your automobile on a regular basis; why not your roof? As previously stated, a roof is an out-of-sight, out-of-mind accent for a home, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t require regular maintenance. The challenges described in this article are exacerbated when there is no regular roofing maintenance program in place to maintain the entire roofing system.
Keeping a roofing contractor on speed dial and on a regular schedule will not only prevent major problems but will also nip minor issues in the bud. A regular roof inspection is inexpensive when compared to roof repairs or replacements, and it is money well spent.
Learn more: 7 Signs It’s Time To Repair Your Roof’s Soffit And Fascia