Anyone might see a roof and think, ‘That’s not so complicated!’ Surprisingly, roofs can be quite complex in their construction. Needed to support a property’s structure, to protect it from the elements, and when mixed in with the unpredictable mix of Canadian weather, there’s a lot that a roof is expected to do. In this article, we have tried to put together some of the most common problems property owners face with their roofs, solving them instantly!
1 – Ice dams forming in the winter
A cold Canadian winter may leave even the most efficient roof with ice dams forming. This is common when there is a leak in the roof, causing indoor heat to leave, melting the snow, and subsequently allowing the water to refreeze. Allowing this to proceed unaddressed may result in major structural issues and further leaks. To prevent ice dams from forming, employ a three-pronged approach – ensure proper ventilation, proper insulation, and appropriately positioned underlayment.
2 – Water accumulation around chimneys
Chimneys that have been recently installed will typically come with protections around it to assist with water drainage. Chimneys that have been built prior to this decade may not include these protections, which means water may be gathering near the back of the structure. To prevent damage, we recommend the installation of a chimney saddle or flashing. Thankfully, this is relatively easy to install for any experienced professional roofing contractor.
3 – Lack of flashing
The use of flashing on roofs is a necessity to guard against water-related issues. These are pieces of metal which target problematic areas where water is known to seep in. Some of the most common areas where flashing is installed are chimneys, valleys, pipes, and walls. Though property owners may think flashing is already in place, these pieces are known to deteriorate over time. This means that routine maintenance is required and annual inspections, ensuring these pieces of metal are kept in tip top shape.
4 – Small gaps in sunroofs
Small gaps in sunroofs can eventually lead to leaks unfortunately. They may not initially be a problem upon installation; however over time, as wear and tear sets in, they can expand. The only way to guard against this is to ensure a professional roofer inspects the roof at least once a year to ensure that these gaps are still a reasonable size.
5 – The high water volume that valleys receive
Where two roof planes intersect, this creates a valley. Valleys are known to accumulate more water than other areas of a roof due to the fact that it is bringing together drainage from at least two areas. Leaks and water damage are common around valleys when they have not been properly installed or when the underlayment is not secure. This again requires an annual roof inspection to oversee the performance of valleys.
6 – Improper installation
One of the biggest factors when it comes to leaks on a roof is improper installation. As explained in some of our prior suggestions, to solve this problem, your property needs an experienced, high quality roofing contractor on the job. Any installation, replacement, or repair of a commercial roof should be performed by a contractor who is experienced and knowledgeable on the products being used.
