How to Prepare for a Roof Replacement
As you get your home ready for a roofing installation, there is a multitude of things to do to make sure the project unfolds as smoothly as it can. Here are some things to bear in mind before your roofers arrive.
Conduct Home Roofing Research
Replacing the roof is a significant investment. As you have determined that it is time for a new roof, it is vital that you choose a home roofing provider who is going to deliver unparalleled expertise, quality materials, and exceptional work.
Before the initial hammer flies upon a roofing job, we know precisely how the project is going to unfold, step by step. This complete planning permits us to finish the majority of roofing jobs in only one day.
Be Certain the Roofing Company Can Access the Roof
It’ll go without saying that your roofers are going to require access to the roof to get the project accomplished. While an expert home roofing contractor will work as cleanly as possible, tearing off old roofing and installing new ones are big projects that take up a ton of space around your home’s perimeter. To safeguard outdoor objects from debris — and make sure the roofers are able to work as effectively as possible — it is vital that you clear sidewalks and driveways before the roofing crew arrives.
Clear Possessions from your Attic
If you have valuable items or heirlooms in the attic, think about transporting them to a safe area until the project is done. If specific items are too heavy or bulky to transport, try to cover them with drop cloths or plastic sheet to safeguard them from shingle debris and dust.
Make Arrangements for Pets and Children
If you have young children or pets, you may need to make arrangements for them to remain with a relative or friend while the new roof is being put in.
Prepare the Inside
Even though skilled roofers do their best to keep noise and dust to a minimum while performing a new roofing installation, any kind of heavy construction on your property’s frame may cause strong vibrations which shift photos and mirrors on your walls.
To decrease the risk of a mirror or photo falling during installation, it is better to temporarily take away any hanging mirrors or frames on the upper floor. You also should think about removing all glass sconces upon light fixtures which are connected with the walls on the top floor.
Prepare the Outside
Putting in a new roof means nailing thousands of shingles down. The last thing a homeowner wants to experience is a flat tire that is caused by a nail — or, worse yet, stepping onto a nail in your bare feet.
Professional roofing contractors conduct a full clean-up as a roofing installation is finished. That involves using powerful magnets, as well as specialized rolling tools made to pick nails up. Before the roofing installation, trim the grass to a short length, because nails easily can get missed as they fall into long grass.
For more information on our roofing repair company contact Roofco today!
Fall Is Here, Let’s Get Your Gutter Cleaned
As a homeowner, spending the afternoon cleaning debris from the gutters is probably not a job you look forward to, but regular gutter upkeep is critical to keeping your property’s foundation, roof, and exterior free of debris, water, and additional unwanted materials.
What may cost you one or two hours will more than make up for the possible thousands you’d spend fixing water damage to your property – or to the roof, should your gutter buckle from its content’s weight.
We cannot make cleaning the gutters sound enjoyable, or even fun, yet we may offer you suggestions which may make the job more efficient and easier. First off, let us discuss more on the importance of cleaning your gutters.
Why Do you Have to Clean your Gutters?
Your gutters are made to gather rainwater from your roof and then move it away from your home’s foundation through downspouts. As both the downspouts and gutters have to be clea to carry this task out, having clogged up gutters might cause a water overflow.
If this water has no place to travel to, it naturally will fill the gutter, as well as ultimately overflow onto your home’s foundation – and it will not stop here! Depending upon the quantity of water and your foundation’s condition, water might seep into the crawl space or basement. By itself, foundation repair might cost as much as $10,000, and if water seeps inside the basement, your house might be at risk of mold growth.
In addition, clogged gutters may cause a weight strain on the roof, as well as the fascia (boards behind your gutters). If your gutters are way too full, they possibly could collapse off your home’s roof, and cause damage to your roof’s shingles and your home’s exterior.
How Often to Clean your Gutters?
Now that you understand what is at stake with clogged up gutters, how are you going to make sure that the gutters are clean, as well as have the ability to efficiently channel water away from the house? Obviously, it isn’t practical to climb up a ladder each day, as well as check their shape.
Actually, the majority of professionals only will suggest that you clean the gutters twice per year: one time in the spring and one other time in autumn. But, depending upon your city’s climate, as well as the amount of trees that are close to your house, you might need to clean the gutters out more frequently.
It’s especially a fact if you reside in a climate in which it freezes in the wintertime. If the gutters do not have the ability to correctly drain water from the roof, the water buildup might reach the roof, as well as cause damage to the shingles as the weather dips to freezing weather conditions.
It also isn’t a bad idea to check the gutters after a serious storm. Branches, leaves, and additional debris may have become dislodged in the severe storm and discovered their way inside the gutters.
For more information on our reliable ice dam removal company contact Roofco today!
Factors That Determine the Quality of Roofing Insulation
As high as 90 percent of roofs upon commercial structures comprise of low slope designs that have rigid insulation connected with decks of concrete or steel. Within those systems, insulation may play 3 roles:
- Working platform
- Drainage
- Thermal barrier
Maximizing every role of the insulation will increase the ROI of your roof.
Breakdown of Thermal Functionality
Heat will travel through roofing in 3 ways. Each will have a different effect upon building performance, as well as options that are obtainable to control it.
- Conduction will happen inside solid materials, as well as between solid materials within physical contact. It’s the most intuitive heat transfer path.
- Convection happens inside liquids and gases as a result of heat conduction inside the liquid or gas and movement of those substances. For roof insulation, it’ll mean air gaps, latent or entrapped moisture and negative pressure/wind uplift.
- Radiation will happen independently of liquids, gases, and solids, like when the sun heats roofing or heat will radiate outward from the structure in the evening.
For conduction, the roof insulation’s unit R-value and overall unit R-value of the full roof assembly ought to be increased. In order to raise R-value, the quantity and selection of roof insulation are key factors. More insulation will mean more unit R-value. But various materials provide various unit R-values.
“R-Value” displays the unit R-value of a variety of insulation types. XPS and Polyiso provide the greatest thermal values per inch.
In order to raise the overall unit R-value of the assembly, give consideration to every element’s unit R-value, as the value for each one is going to be different. The values for every component within an assembly are additive.
All thermal “shorts” or bridging across elements are going to have to be controlled because they are set to reduce the assembly’s overall value. A mechanical fastener is a constant bridging cause. Choices to control these types of shorts involve fastening every layer in adhesives and utilizing non-thermal bridging fasteners. A monolithic roof insulation, which includes a lightweight concrete and spray foam, also can be utilized to get rid of shorts.
Control Convection Strategies
Owners have 2 strategies to get rid of the convection waste upon their roofs:
- Control moisture condensation and movement
- Control air movement
Ensure Insulation is Adequate Working Platform
Your roof and its insulation, over its lifetime, is going to serve as a working platform for a number of trades during maintenance and construction. The roofing insulation might require temporary protection before your roof system is finished, as well as permanent protection after system completion.
Utilizing cover boards over roof insulation is a good practice. Additional choices involve selecting a roof insulation that has suitable compressive strength, as well as installing walkways. Observing roof traffic and access – what trade is on the roof, as well as when – also is critical.
Roof insulation only is a single component of the roof system; however, it performs several functions which you may optimize for your structure.
For more information on our Winnipeg roofing company contact Roofco today!
Are Your Eaves-Troughs Effective?
Eavestroughs! They may not be the most thrilling topic in the world, yet we are going to let you know why they are important and how you can tell if they’re in good working condition.
Why Are Eavestroughs Important?
It may not seem like a huge deal, yet those metal troughs which line the corner of your roof may have a big impact upon the life of the roof. We do not want to overstate it; therefore, we will allow someone else to do it for us. Poor rain gutters are the main mechanical contributor to a home’s deterioration. As roofers, we cannot completely agree, yet they may be a big factor to the health of your home.
Unfortunately, the majority of us do not actually care about them. They may be installed poorly, and we will not notice. They might be designed poorly, and we likely would not notice. We likely even go years without cleaning the gutters and we think it does not make a difference… yet it will!
Eavestroughs are only one aspect of the drainage system of the roof. Read about how they’ll work with additional parts to keep your business or home dry.
How Can Eavestroughs Affect the Drainage of your Roof?
One of the primary functions of the roof is to permit snow, debris, and rain to follow the rules of gravity and nicely flow off it. However, you do not want water to merely freestyle careen off the roof like a waterfall! Uncontrolled run-off may damage the windows, siding, your landscaping, doors, and even the foundation.
Eavestroughs assist in directing the flow inside a sewer or piece of downward sloping land in order for it not to flood your home.
If the downspout is not at least a good distance away from the foundation, the basement actually could flood. All of the water that hits the roof could wind up back inside your house. Our area has been hit with a ton of extreme weather these last couple of years, so we have seen a load of flooding. Flooding is a nightmare. Paint peeling, damp walls, mold growth. Nasty!
If your community turned into a lake, the downspout placement is irrelevant. However, within a rainstorm, the downspout’s placement is very important. If the downspout is near your house, buy an extension for it and be certain it is pointing away from the house.
Here are Some Tips for Downspout Placement
As you finish reading this post, check the downspout(s) to ensure they are in the proper spot. Here is what you should look for:
- Upper roofing downspouts shouldn’t drain onto lower roofing. It actually can void the warranty of the roof. Gutters ought to drain into additional gutters or right to the ground.
- Be certain that water flows out at least six feet away from your home.
- Do not permit them to drain onto the sidewalk, steps, or driveway.
- Water ought to flow away and downward from a building. Water that flows back toward your home is a huge issue!
For more information about effective eavestroughs contact the qualified roofing repair contractors of Roofco today!
Here’s Why You Should Get Your Leaking Roof Repaired Immediately
At times, home maintenance may be bothersome, particularly if you need to repair a leak. There are several things which may go unnoticed inside a household – yet a leaky roof is not one of those things it’s possible to simply ignore. Allowing things to get worse before doing something about them may be costly.
Searching for help from a professional roofer is your best plan of action as it’ll come to repairing a leak in the roof. If a repair isn’t properly executed, it actually can worsen the condition of the roof. Below we list a few of the reasons why you ought to repair a leak in the roof as soon as possible after you find it:
Structural Material Deterioration
Chronic roof leakages may lead to extreme damage to wall framing, rafters, and ceiling joints. Frequent exposure to moisture and water makes the wood start deteriorating. It’ll weaken the roof’s framing and might even result in a collapse of the structural support of the roof. Water from a roof just has one trail, and it follows a downward direction, meaning it doesn’t just damage the upper portion of the home, yet also affects the roof’s foundation. It may be an extremely big issue if left untreated.
Mold Formation
Damp wood rots. Where there’s moisture, fungal organism growth cannot be avoided. Mold growth also can be a result of a leaky roof. It’ll speed up wood deterioration and it also can cause debilitating health issues. A leaky roof permits mold to spread until it gets to your HVAC system. With the existence of various substances within the air, mold may react and cause toxins. Toxic black molds generate spores which may lead to asthmatic issues and additional severe respiratory diseases.
Big Energy Loss
If you believe expensive maintenance and repairs are your main problems regarding a leaky roof, wait until you see the electric bill! Apart from causing the roof materials to deteriorate, a leaking roof also can destroy the insulation of your attic. Saturated insulation materials will take an extremely long period of time to dry out and it’ll weaken its resistance to temperature change. That results in massive heat losses and causes higher power intake.
Costly Repairs
Nevertheless, a roof structure which has become weak because of water exposure requires repair. If it’s left untreated for a long period of time, the damage will become exponential and repairs may become very expensive.
Fire Hazards
As roofs leak, the dampness may wreak havoc on the insulation and electrical wiring inside the ceiling – which then can lead to fire hazards. Usually, anything which becomes broken needs to be fixed. And as it’ll come time to repair a leak inside your roof, you must act quickly. Or else, the problem may become very nasty and it may result in more expensive repairs down the line.
For more reasons here’s why you should get your leaking roof repaired immediately contact the Winnipeg roofing company of Roofco today!
How to Get Your Roof Ready for the Fall
In the summer, it is common to neglect the importance of keeping up with rooftops. The lure of vacations spent in the sun, paired with unrelenting heat narrows the time that is available. With school now in full bloom, routines become busy and cleaning the roof becomes a low priority upon your to-do list. Like all additional parts of your home, the roof will require routine maintenance and inspection to be certain that it may stand up to the harsh weather in cool months and run at maximum performance to save you headaches and money. Follow these leading 5 steps to assist in preparing and strengthening your roof for autumn and the winter months and keep in mind to exercise safety.
Clean Debris
Being an external part of the home, a roof is exposed to a variety of types of debris and dirt. All throughout the year, it’ll accumulate different amounts and types of debris. The kinds of debris might include grass, seeds, leaves, twigs, and tiny branches from trees. If left on top of your roof in the winter and fall months, the debris will begin to collect moisture and over a period of time, will place your home at risk for the growth of algae and mold, as well as rotting. In order to clean up the debris, use a ladder to climb the roof and utilize an air blower or broom.
Clean Gutters
Typically, leaves accumulate inside gutters which may clog the most critical path for the roof to drain safely. Neglecting to extract leaves inside the gutter before winter and fall months might cause clogs inside the downspouts, which ultimately causes the rainwater to overflow the roof and permit water underneath shingles causing moisture damage. The additional weight from the damp leaves also could cause damage to your gutters by bending them. Take some time to clean the gutters of your roof out as leaves usually adhere more in the crevices and corners.
Check for Air Flow in the Attic
Proper attic ventilation plays a vital part in keeping the roof in top shape. Poor ventilation might shorten the lifespan of your roof as it’s likened to being cooked from the outside and inside. Check the insulation in the attic and add or replace additional insulation if it looks frayed or crumbly. If you notice bald patches, be certain to cover them and install fresh insulation.
Trim Overhanging Branches
If your home has trees nearby or is surrounded by trees, be certain that all branches that overhang the roof be removed. During autumn, the branch leaves might begin to fall off to the roof and will accumulate, causing damage to your gutters, as well as the roof itself.
Get a Professional Inspection
Contact a roofer to inspect the roof for any roofing damage such as frayed, cracked, missing, and curled shingles. They have the right expertise and tools to do the inspection and if needed, replace or repair the roof.
For more information on how to get your roof ready for the fall contact the experienced roofer company Roofco today!
Popular Winter Roofing Myths
The roof is a critical part of a house, meaning it may be one of the costlier parts to replace or repair. It is vulnerable and exposed to the elements, which means it is prone to weather damage. Even though most folks might not know it, it may be particularly true within the wintertime. Surprisingly, there are several myths that surround shingled roofs, roofing, as well as the winter. Here, we list four of these myths and the facts behind them.
During the Winter, Leaks are Less Likely
A lot of homeowners think that frozen precipitation decreases the risk of roof leaks. Even though frozen, the precipitation additionally gradually melts, which means dampness from ice and/or snow goes down the roof beams and inside the drywall. Melting snow will probably lead to roof leaks more so than rain. It’s because roofs are made to fight falling rain, not ice or snow. Moisture which melts, freezes, or refreezes may cause more damage to the shingles, flashing and additional roof structures. For instance, ice may pull roof shingles apart and permit dampness to seep through.
Roofing May Support Any Quantity of Snow
The Canadian winter season can be rough with an abundance of snow, snow which might cause the roof to cave in or experience irreparable damage. Roofing is solid enough to carry average loads, not thousands of pounds of snow. Therefore, there’s a threshold for how much snow a roof may carry. In Canada, heavy snowfall is not uncommon; therefore, be aware that the weight of it might cause serious damage to the roof and your house. The best method of combatting build-up from heavy snow fall includes hiring a pro to extract it from the roof.
Roofs Cannot Be Replaced in the Winter
This is partly a myth; while the majority of folks wait until spring or summer to get their roofing replaced, some will put off replacing the roof that is in poor condition, just to have it obliterated by harsh winter weather. Winnipeg roof companies like ours do not suggest replacing a shingled roof within the wintertime because the roof shingles may crack and not properly adhere, yet replacements are possible in an emergency situation. The best action is to always prepare ahead and have the roof replaced before the snow hits.
Ice damming isn’t a huge deal
Ice dams are caused by poor ventilation that meets poor insulation. Snow build-up upon the roof melts because your roof is warmer than it ought to be. Then, water flows beneath the snow down to the eaves in which it gets cool again and freezes into ice. The process repeats until there’s a heavy, dangerous ice mass hanging on the gutter. Over a period of time, the ice pulls up the shingles, damages the gutters and may destroy the roof. Ice damming is a big deal. Get the proper ventilation and insulation in place to avoid it.
For more popular winter roofing myths contact the reliable ice dam removal in Winnipeg services of Roofco today!
Why is there Condensation in My Attic?
There basically are three kinds of roofing “leaks” that are explained below. The answer to moisture issues on your roof depends upon what kind of “leak” it is. If you happen to see an excess of moisture within extreme changes in temperature, and not as it rains, the moisture likely is not a roofing leak.
The 1st kind is in which water is leaking through the roof system while it’s raining. It might involve leaks caused by deteriorated or damaged shingles, improper shingle installation, or failed/poor flashing details at walls and penetrations. It might even be because of damaged window sills, incorrect siding installations or serious wind-driven rain. These are exterior leaks which usually can be repaired and inspected by a roofer.
The 2nd kind of “leak” is caused by an ice dam. This isn’t workmanship associated. The best method of preventing or reducing ice dams includes eliminating or reducing the quantity of hot air that’s escaping inside the attic and melting snow on your roof to the point in which it causes ice build-up that looks like glacier-like. One other temporary option includes removing the snow from your roof before it turns into ice and penetrates your roof system.
The 3rd kind of “leak” is caused by frost or condensation buildup in your attic. This isn’t workmanship associated or roof leak. In order to prevent condensation and frost from forming in the attic, you have to reduce or eliminate the quantity of air leakage into your attic and improve ventilation and insulation to permit damp air to escape your roof.
Warning Signs of Condensation inside the House
Skylight and window condensation is the result of an excess in-house humidity. And the glass just offers a noticeable cool surface upon which humidity may condense. This might be an in indication that your excess interior humidity is causing damage somewhere else in places you can’t see, like your ceilings, walls, floors, and the attic roofing. Excess interior humidity may cause peeling and blistering paint, rotting and warping wood, and formation of mold and mildew.
In extremely cold temperatures, frost may build up upon the underside of your roof sheeting. As the exterior temperature increases, the frost melts and may resemble a leak. The “leak” may be excessive as the temperatures significantly change, as is typical during our winters. Build up of frost is most typical above heat sources like kitchen stoves, light fixtures, bathrooms, fireplaces, fans, and incorrectly vented exhaust fans. As the frost melts, the “leak” is most typically discovered dripping out of these heat sources.
Cathedral ceilings and high ceiling beams that have water spots may be confused with an active leak, when indeed it’s a result of condensation.
If you’ve ever seen a ton of icicles hanging from the corner of the roof, odds are your home is leaking substantial quantities of heat and air into your attic.
For more information about condensation in your attic contact the Winnipeg roofers of Roofco today!
Winter Is Coming, Should I Check My Roofing Before It?
Avoid a massive problem with your roof in the middle of winter by getting a roofing inspection now! Here, we list the biggest indications that you need an inspection of your roof before winter arrives.
- Missing, Leaning, Cracking Mortar: Mortar ought to be in uniform, solid shape. Missing, leaning, and cracking parts of your mortar may be correlated with an unsteady roof.
- Drooping or Bending: If the roof line looks as if it is curving, it ought to be inspected by an expert roofing company.
- Ice Dams: As the snow goes through a freezing/melting sequence, ice will build up and form a dam inside the gutters. As the roof isn’t vented properly, heat may escape through the roof shingles, and cause the dormant snow on the roof to melt. Melted snow will slide down the roof and will accumulate in your gutters, in which it re-freezes. In order to assist in preventing ice dams, keep the gutters free of debris. You also can softly sweep the snow off of the corner of the roof and check that the attic is vented properly to keep heat from going to your roof.
- Sounds: Whistling winds inside the house, in addition to doors opening on their own and door frames changing, may be indications of an unsteady roof.
- Shingle Granules: Seen most often as you clean your gutters, shingle granules appear like coarse sand. As they’re discovered, it’s a likely indication that the shingles must be replaced.
- Dampness: Oftentimes, dampness happens in a house because there isn’t the right clearing of debris inside the downspouts and drains. Additionally, if damp air isn’t being properly vented, it may seep inside the attic and cause roof instability. It’s especially a problem in bathrooms and kitchens.
- Missing, Cracking, or Breaking Shingles: Typically easier to find, these aspects are indications of possible roofing issues.
- Roof Leaks: A roof leak may be checked from the interior of your house. A roof leak is an indication that the roof was compromised. Indications of a roof leak involve: dark spots, dripping, sagging areas, as well as an outdoor light shining in. Joists ought to be observed for fungus, rot, dampness, and woodworm.
- Buckling and Curling: As direct sunlight reaches a roof’s surface, it’ll cause granules to weaken and roof shingles to begin to curl.
- Flat Roof: Because of a flat roof’s lack of pitch, minor issues may be difficult to spot, yet are equally as harmful because of the tendency for water to stand there.
- Avoid any major roof problems by arranging an inspection of the roof before the ice and snow arrives.
As an award-winning company, our expert roofers are skilled at diagnosing impending and existing roof issues. Whether it is a simple fix or full re-roof, we will advise you on all of your options, in order for you to make the most educated decision for your budget and your home.
For more information on our roofing repair company contact Roofco today!
Repairing Roof Leaks Should Not Be A Headache
Roof leaks. They are the father of all maintenance woes that building owners and property managers face.
Well, this post is all about emphasizing the importance of immediately handling leaks. Even during the time of inspection, it’ll pay to have a technician address small repair needs while he is available and save on the expense and time of a repeat service call.
If you put it off until the water begins to drip, you’ll risk greater repair expenses, as well as the added cost of inside damage. In addition, that will put you within a reactionary mode and force you to wait for a repair tech to get there.
How might something so tiny cause such big issues? Above and beyond the damage to your roof, roof leaks may cause a multitude of massive headaches in the building. Referred to as “consequential damage,” those problems will probably be covered by any warranty, and if neglected, the price of addressing such woes may be much greater than what it would’ve cost to proactively maintain the roof in the first place. Below we list 5 common types of consequential damage from leaks:
Ceiling tiles falling as well as causing damage to your inventory
It does not take much of a roof leak before water causes ceilings, floors, and walls to deteriorate to the point that it will also damage furniture, inventory, and equipment in the building. Now the rood leak is impacting your capability of sell, manufacturing or merely performing work.
Slip and fall accidents
It is seldom a good indication when somebody from HR gets involved in your maintenance issues; however, that is exactly what will happen as water from leaks causes a slip and fall accident – that is workers’ comp claims – in the building. Lawsuit risks will worsen if a building is one in which customers might be there.
Wet insulation
As insulation gets damp it’ll wreak havoc on your energy expenses. It’ll go from being an insulator, and save you cash, to a conductor, which costs you extra funds to cool and heat the building.
Contamination/insects/mold
Further, damp insulation is a mold breeding ground, and it isn’t uncommon to see cases of bacteria and mold growth around and in a roofing system, which results from roofing leaks. Bug infestation is one other possible consequence. Expenses to mitigate mold or exterminate pests may add up, not to mention interruptions to business operations and code violations.
Acceleration of the roof’s age
The key to the management of roof-associated costs includes getting the most service life out of the roofing as possible. You’ll want to avoid pricey replacements as long as you can through disciplined and timely upkeep, restorations, and repairs. Water penetrating your roof through a leak will get underneath the membrane of the roof and will destroy the seams, deck, and mechanical fasteners, which as a result, compromises the roof. In cooler climates, it may lead to ice forming underneath the laps, which, via expansion, will further stress the roof and structure.
For more information on our Winnipeg roofing company contact Roofco today!