One way that high winds damage roofing materials is by blowing the finished roofing entirely off the roof. Blow-off damage typically occurs in a section of the roof or on an entire side of the roof that was exposed to the highest winds. Roofing felt and roof sheathing can also be blown away by severe winds. 

One of the main reasons why this happens is installation error.  Each manufactuer provides a specific nailing area for which the shingles are to be installed however in most cases the nails are installed to high or too low. 

Roof shingles (asphalt and wood) can show signs of damage simply because they’re wearing out. In other cases, damage occurs because of other factors. Missing, broken and torn shingles can be caused by wind, impact or foot traffic. Old shingles often cup, curl and become brittle; these are all signs of roofing that should be replaced. “Bald” shingles that have lost their protective granules detract from the roof’s appearance and will age prematurely if they’re exposed to direct sunlight. During a roof inspection, it’s also important to look for “nail pops” – roofing nails that have been pushed up through roof shingles and can cause roof leaks. 

Time and time again we come acroos homes with buckled wood board or plywood that was ignored for one reason or another during the last roof installation. 

This is a sign of an unbalanced roof venting system and when water moves side to side is able to leak through the shingles. 

Before this roof was installed the plywood should have been replaced. 

Put even the best products in the hands of an unskilled worker and the result becomes a painful experience for you as a homeowner. 

Choosing the right materials for the task is also detrimental to doing the job right. 

In this  photo we see shingles installed on a low 1/12 pitch roof, and even worse its a valley. The company should have used a modified bitumen product down the centre.  

Shingle manufactuers do not warranty their products on roofs that have less than a 2/12 slope. 

The main purpose of flashing is stop water from entering around roof penetrations such as a chimney, skylight or wall from a second story. 

We always replace flashings prefer to use 26g steel for our flashings which is thick and durable however we have seen situations where cardboard was used, vynil siding and in some cases just caulking. 

"I paid someone to fix the problem and it worked for a month but now it's leaking again  and I'm not sure what they did."

Roofing tar is ok so long as its temporary. It is not meant as a perminant solution to your problem, however it's widely used as a repair tool of the trade.

Flat roofs can last a long time, but when cracks are evident it may be time to think about replacing the roof. 

In Toronto its not uncommon to find multiple layers on a flat roof. This will significantly decrease the life expectancy of your flat roof product. Also we find that flat roof attics are under insulated which also results in early life failure. 

This season we will be transitioning to a cold applied product which will remove the chance of fire on your home or business. 

Being a cold weather climate, our homes are at the mercy of the weather and ice dam's are not uncommon. Making sure your home has sufficient insulation and ventilation is a key component for a lasting roof. 

In most cases we will coordinate our efforts with a professional insulation company to come up with the appropriate measures to solve the probelm.