Canadians spend months anticipating summer, but when it arrives it seems to go by in a flash. Naturally, we’re reluctant to contemplate, during the long hot nights of August, the inevitable months of rain and snow just around the corner, but there are good reasons to take some time amidst the cottage weekends and beach holidays to figure out whether major roof repairs are needed before the cold weather comes in.
This blog will outline some of these reasons, and it will also provide some tips for how to spot potential problem areas on your roof to determine the extent of the repairs needed.
While you should always make sure to call one of our roof repair experts for a consultation if you think there might be a problem, taking the time to check out the roof yourself can help you start planning for extensive renovations if your roof is in bad shape.
Can Your Roof Withstand Another Winter?
As humans, we tend to pay most of our attention to the immediate problems in front of us. With so much on the go, it can be hard to think ahead to issues we won’t have to deal with for another six to twelve months.
But while this is perfectly natural, it can cause problems when it comes to foreseeing major repairs around the house.
That draught that is the source of so much discomfort in February is a distant memory come summer, but if you don’t have the foresight to deal with the problem when the weather is good and repairs are relatively easy to make, you will be kicking yourself once the cold weather rolls in again.
The problem is even more pronounced when you’re dealing with a roofing issue. It can be hard to predict how bad winter will be in advance, and you need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
The question you should be asking yourself is not “is my roof fine for now,” but “is my roof prepared to withstand months of sub-zero temperatures, rapid freezing and thawing, high winds, and potential ice damming?
Autumn Weather Can Make Roofing Difficult
As any seasoned homeowner knows, you can’t roof in the rain. This means that as autumn comes in and brings more precipitation, the number of potential workdays in any given month decreases.
This, in turn, makes it harder to find time to manage all the jobs that have been scheduled, pushing deadlines and making it almost impossible to fit in last-minute bookings.
If you want to ensure that the repairs you need can actually be done before winter sets in, you should make sure to book your consultation far in advance. This way, you’ll be at the top of the list when it comes to jobs.
You Have Less Time Than You Think
December snows may seem like they are a long way off when you’re sitting by the pool in thirty-five-degree heat, but it is important to remember that you may have to wait a significant amount of time between getting a roofing consultation and actually having a new roof installed.
Booking a roof repair job in October might mean repairs can’t be made until early December, by which point opening your roof up to the elements will be just about the last thing you want to do.
Getting in touch with a local roofing company now is the best way to guarantee that all the repairs that need to be made are completed long before the weather turns. And it also lets you plan these renovations more intentionally so that you don’t have to accept the first date that’s open.
If you want to connect with a roofing contractor in Toronto and make sure your roof repair is in the calendar as quickly as possible, give the Professional Roofers team a call today. Winter is coming, and if you want to make sure your roof is ready for it, we’ve got your back.
Flat Roofs Need Special Attention Before Winter
While every homeowner should be concerned about making sure that their roof is watertight in time for winter, houses with flat roofs face unique challenges in this regard.
Many flat roofs see regular use throughout the summer months, and this can lead to wear and tear that reduces your roof’s ability to channel water safely through the drainage system. Making sure any rips or tears are caught before you put your flat roof to bed for the winter is absolutely essential.
But because so many flat roof owners want to get as much out of their roofs as possible while the weather is nice, there tends to be a lot of demand for these kinds of repairs in October and November.
As a company that specialized in flat roof repairs in Mississauga and Toronto we understand how important it is for you to book your roof repair early. We manage installation and repairs for flat roofs of all kinds, and every year we see flat roofs that have gotten into bad shape because the damage was left to accumulate.
If you want to make sure your flat roof is ready for all the vagaries of a Toronto winter, call today to book your consultation!
How Can I Tell if My Roof Needs Fixing?
Clearly, preparing early for any renovations you might need to undertake is a good idea. But how do you know whether or not your roof is in need of major repairs?
While there are a lot of different issues that can affect a roof and not all of them are easy to detect, here are a few general things to look for:
- Curling Shingles: If shingles are starting to curl up from the roof deck, they are losing their capacity to repel water and need to be replaced.
- Crooked or Missing Shingles: While crooked or missing shingles may not mean that your entire roof needs to be replaced, it is important to have them patched quickly and thoroughly, lest moisture starts seeping into the roof deck.
- Damaged or Rotting Fascia and Soffits: Fascia and soffits protect your eaves from moisture, and if they are showing signs of damage then there is a good chance that moisture is building up under your eaves, weakening your entire roof system.
- Your Roof Has Passed Its Warranty: When a roof is installed, the roofing company will usually issue a warranty based on the type of roofing material (for example, laminated shingles will have a longer warranty than three-tab variants). If your roof has outlived its warranty, it’s a good idea to replace it, whether you’ve noticed problems with it or not.
If you have noticed any of these issues on your roof — or if you have noticed internal problems like damp walls, ceiling leaks, or the spread of mould — there’s a good chance your roof will need to be replaced.
At Professional Roofers, we can repair any roof in Mississauga or the Greater Toronto Area, and with years of experience in the roofing business, we have the expertise to help you no matter what shape your roof is in.
If you want to make sure your roof can keep your house comfortable and safe not just through the coming winter, but for decades to come, give us a call today and see why we think we are the best roofers in Toronto for expertise, service, and response time.
There’s an old roofing joke about a certain kind of attitude toward roofing repairs that goes something like this: if it’s raining, you can’t fix the roof, and if it’s not raining, it doesn’t need to be fixed.
Obviously, this isn’t how any responsible homeowner should approach this vital component of their house, but all-too-frequently we get calls from people who have let their roofing problems go for far too long, and are now facing down massive, costly renovations.
Homeowners in Toronto and Mississauga have the privilege of living in one of the most multicultural, dynamic, and beautiful cities in the world. But Ontario winters do take a serious toll on houses, and protecting yourself from the elements means making sure renovations are completed before the snows start to fly.
If you think your house might need to be repaired or re-roofed altogether, don’t wait until fall to call Professional Roofers and book your consultation. Get in touch with us today, and make sure your roof gets the care it needs in order to keep you warm all winter.
