A: Ventilation is a crucial factor in the life of a roofing shingle. Heat build-up in the hot summer months, as well as the cold weather of winter will accelerate the aging process of your shingles. Proper air circulation, regardless of the weather outside, will greatly reduce the chances of leaking, blistering, distortion, curling, rotting of wood structure, wet insulation and many other potential problems. It is also important to note that adequate ventilation is required to validate the shingles manufacturer warranty.

A: Ice dams are formed by continual thawing and refreezing of melting snow. Large masses of ice develop as snow on the upper part of the roof melts. The water runs under the snow and refreezes at the edge of the roof. Additional snow melts and forms pools against the dam gradually causing water to back up the roof often getting under the shingles and eventually leaking into the house.

Causes are: 

• Poor or non existent vapour barrier which allows heat to escape into the attic.
• Air leakage through light fixtures, plumbing stacks, attic access hatches and fan vents etc.
• Insufficient attic insulation allowing warm air into the attic and melting the snow.
• Inadequate attic ventilation.
• Bright sunshine melting the snow;
• Naturally occurring ice accumulation due to various weather conditions.

How to avoid ice dams: 

• Eliminate or reduce air leakage into the attic by installing a vapour barrier or sealing air leaks
• Improve attic insulation keeping the attic space cool, thereby reducing the amount of melting snow
• Lower the humidity level in the living space

Are there solutions to my ice dam problems?

Yes there are but it is usually very expensive to solve. Ice dam and condensation problems occur because warm moist air is leaking into the attic from the living space. You must eliminate these air leaks to eliminate the problem. The only way to do this is by installing a proper vapour barrier. We can do this by cleaning out the cavities and spraying in a polyurethane insulation. This will seal the air leaks and insulate the attic. You could expect to pay anywhere from $5000.00 to $20,000.00. You can do a less thorough job by sealing up light fixtures, attic access hatches and other sources of air leaks. You could also try lowering the humidity level in the living space.

---

A: First and foremost your yard will be a construction site. A typical job will generate 5000 to 10,000 pounds of garbage. The process of roofing is quite messy and noisy. A crew of men will be on site for approximately 1 to 3 days or longer for larger jobs. We will require access to hydro and an outdoor water source. During the roofing process your house will vibrate and shake so if you want to secure any loose objects such as chandeliers or other valuables please do so. We are not responsible for any damage that occurs during the normal process of us completing the roofing job. Please be patient during this process and allow the crew to complete their work in an efficient manner.

A: Every effort will be taken to protect your home from the elements. Our crews are fully equipped with tarps in the event of bad weather. If the weather is overcast with a chance of rain we would only open up portions of your roof that could be easily closed off in the event of rain. We follow the weather through radar on a regular basis and we are in contact with our crews at all times.

A: There can be additional charges. Any board replacement or structural repairs would be at an extra charge. Any unforeseen problems such as poor or non existent flashings that require replacement, plumbing stack repairs and chimney repairs would be at an extra charge. Any work that is required that was not specifically stated on the contract would be at an extra charge.

A: Don't wait until your roof leaks before replacing your shingles. Your shingles are like tires on a car. They wear out gradually over time and at some point they become unable to perform they way they were designed to. If you leave it too long not only will you be replacing the shingles but you will also have interior repairs to deal with, possible deck rot to replace and wet insulation in the attic.

You should consider having your roof inspected or your shingles replaced if you have:

• worn valleys
• roof leaks (waited too long)
• missing or damaged shingles
• shingles that are 15 to 20 years old
• severe curling (some curling is natural in the aging process)
• excessive granule loss (some granule loss is normal especially with new shingles)
• a desire to upgrade and change the appearance of your home with architectural shingles
• severe ice dam or condensation problems that require extensive repairs to rectify the problems