Your home’s roof should give you many years of service. Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material but alternatives such as tile, concrete, wood, rubber and metal are becoming more popular.

Following heavy windstorms, homeowners are encouraged to check for loose, broken or missing shingles. Builders are not responsible for repairing storm-related damage. A damaged roof should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent leakage into the interior of your home.

Roofs can also be damaged when items such as a satellite dish are installed. Use care during these installations to avoid damaging the shingles and ensure

hold-down devices (e.g. screws) are properly sealed to prevent leaks. Asphalt shingles are soft on warm days and can easily be damaged if you walk on them. If you must be on the roof, it’s best to do so early in the morning when the shingles are still cool to the touch.

Slight differences in colour are inherent to the manufacturing process of asphalt shingles, even within the same factory run. This is unavoidable and does not affect durability.

Why are my asphalt shingle edges curled/cupped?

As shingles age, they will shrink and curl slightly. New shingles may curl or cup if exposed to cool temperatures. The surface of a shingle cools when frost forms. At the same time, the underside of the shingle receives passive heat from the attic. This temperature difference can cause the shingle to lift or curl slightly. Shingle age and type, attic ventilation, roof pitch, humidity, climate, colour, etc. will determine the visibility of any lifting or curling. This movement will not affect the performance of the shingles.

Why do my eavestroughs overflow during normal rain conditions?

The volume of rain an eavestrough can handle is altered when the eavestrough is clogged with obstructions such as leaves or surface particles from asphalt shingles. Dented or bent downspouts will also slow the flow of water. Remove debris from your eavestroughs each spring, so water can move efficiently from the roof and away from your home’s foundation.

Why is ice damming on the roof? Why does my roof or flashing leak?

Regions that experience snow with above freezing temperatures during the day and below freezing temperatures at night are more prone to ice dams. An ice dam forms when snow on a roof melts and runs down the roof towards the eaves. Because the eave is cooler than other areas of a roof, the water will freeze at the edge. As this ice accumulates, it will act as a dam, preventing water from flowing off the roof and into the eavestroughs. This water will accumulate on the roof and can move under the shingles, possibly causing leaks into the attic and even into the interior of your home.

An ice dam can also occasionally form near a chimney or roof vent when there is a heavy accumulation of snow. This may cause water to move under the flashing. To avoid this, do not allow snow to accumulate near flashed areas and roof eaves.

To reduce the likelihood of ice dams, clear snow off the roof, particularly at the eaves and around attic, bathroom and kitchen vents. You can also remove ice formations from the eaves and at the end of the valley formed when two roofs join. Take care not to damage the roofing and use safe work practices.

Chronic ice damming may indicate a need for improved insulation in the attic. Sometimes, insulation has been displaced, and you can simply return it to its proper position. Insulation should be positioned up to the exterior perimeter of the wall but should not interfere with the exchange of air in the attic and the free flow of air to the soffits. A cardboard batten is usually installed to maintain the necessary two-inch space between the top of the insulation and the underside of the roof sheathing. If you add insulation to the attic, do not block air circulation to the soffits. Attics require circulation to properly expel moisture and heat.