The fall season in Canada can mean a lot of things to a lot of people: warm colourful hues on trees, family thanksgiving celebrations, Halloween costumes, and delicious pumpkin flavoured goods are just a few of the reasons it is beloved by many.
However, here at Professional Roofers we know that fall-time in Southern Ontario can mean something else as well: increased winds, roof debris, and rains. Each of these elements can severely damage your roof if you’re not careful, but none more so than wind, which is why we have decided to discuss ‘wind’ as our next common GTA roofing problem instalment. After all, the weather changes might drive the majority of us indoors, but they shouldn’t prevent us from living our lives or enjoying one of the most colourful seasons of the year.
If you’ve ever seen the aftermath of a big storm in real life or on TV, one common element most people note is that some homes are affected by the storm more severely than others. You can have a house whose roof has completely caved in standing directly next to a home that appears, for all intents and purposes, completely untouched. Wind damage will vary based on a number of factors, the most important of which are: wind speed, wind direction and pattern, the slope of your roof, the materials your roof is made of, if your roof was properly installed, and the current condition of your roof.
While you can’t change the wind’s speed or direction in your neighbourhood, there are other elements you can control that can improve your roof’s ability to withstand harsh winds: the most important of which begin before your roof has experienced wind at all. Yes, we’re talking about the materials you choose and the manner in which your roof was installed. First and foremost, it is absolutely vital that you choose high quality, heavy roofing materials that carry a warranty for high wind speeds. Don’t accept any roofing material that carries a warranty of less than 100 km/hr – the standard in Ontario.
Secondly, you need to ensure you choose a highly qualified, well-recommended professional roofer in Toronto to install your roof for you. We know we might seem biased on this matter, but the truth is, most manufacturers will void their warranty if a professional did not install the roofing materials. Not only will this ensure you are covered in the event of an emergency, but it will also allow your roof to perform as it was meant to. After all, it doesn’t matter how wonderful your roof covering materials are – if they weren’t installed correctly, they won’t perform correctly either.
Finally, the most important way in which you can protect your roof from severe winds is to conduct regular inspections, especially after a windstorm. Clear away any fallen debris that might block your inspection, then look for: damaged, weathered, missing, creased, crumbled, flipped, torn, punctured, curled, or discoloured roofing materials, as well as any exposed nails or cracked sealants. If you notice any of these tell-tale signs, contact us immediately for your free consultation and estimate so that we can take the necessary precautions to prevent further damage.