Raising the Roof When it's Time to Sell Your Home

                                   

Are you aware of an issue with your roof? Are you in the process of selling your home? If so, it makes good sense to repair your roof before potential buyers begin to walk through. While you may think you are pulling off a fast one, most buyers are going to order a home inspection. In turn, the problem will show and you will be forced to fix it at a later date –  only this time on the buyer’s terms instead of your own.

Also, keep in mind that a major roof problem can lead to other issues. For instance, a small leak can lead to insulation and structural issues if ignored. The last thing you need while trying to sell your home is water damage.

It is very important that you show potential buyers just how great your home is. A roof in good condition is a huge plus for anybody looking to buy a home. The smartest move you can make as a homeowner and seller is to have your roof inspected before placing it on the market. 

By contracting with a company like Trudel and Sons Roofing, you get the option of getting a full Assessment Report on your roof that you can show to your prospective buyers proving to them that you have nothing to hide.

Stay Safe on Your Next Roofing Job

Roofing can be a dangerous job…even deadly if taken lightly. According to the 2013 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 734 contractors died on the job and nearly 39 percent of them were roofers. These types of deaths are largely preventable if contractors put safety first everyday. By following stringent safety standards, contractors not only distinguish themselves as professionals rather than average installers, but prevent accidents that can limit productivity and lower employee morale. Plus, a safer company is more profitable. Here are 10 ways to be safe on your next roofing job:

Tailor safety to the project. Safety practices should be covered daily with specific information for each project.

Discourage unsafe work practices.  Stop them as soon as you see them.

Lead by example. Work as safely as possible so others will follow your lead.

Keep a clean and organized site. This will offer fewer hazards and allow the site to be more productive.

Identify and avoid site danger areas.  Dangerous power lines, unsafe roof access areas and underground hazards such as cesspools and power lines should be avoided.

Inspect ladders before use. Make sure the rungs are not broken or cracked and clean off any oils, tars, or dirt. The ladder must be tied off.

Do not leave ladders unattended. Take them off the job site every day or lock them on the ground overnight.

Climb ladders safely. Always face the ladder and use both hands when possible.  Don’t slide down a ladder or overload them.

Be wary of electrical wiring. Electricity can “jump” from a wire to a ladder several feet away. Keep your distance from electrical wiring or boxes and remember that metal flashing, drip edge, etc., should never touch electrical wires.

Use tools properly. Wear eye protection when using hammers and nail guns. This will help protect you if an object such as a nail comes flying out.  Always cut away from your body when using a utility knife and replace dull blades frequently.

By following best safety practices on all your roofing jobs you can make sure accidents are few and far between.

How to Inspect Your Next Commercial Roofing Project

Commercial re-roof job walks are crucial to assessing the existing roof system. They help you learn the steps needed to remove and install a new roof system efficiently while minimizing occupant impact and maximizing company profits. An improperly assessed building can easily move the project from successful to detrimental. With a fairly simple checklist and an inspection kit, you can make a thorough assessment on the roof and minimize costly hidden pitfalls to help you land the job and gain the trust of the client.

Let’s start with your basic tool kit. Most of the time, you will need to climb a ladder to get onto the roof, and a safe way to transport your tools is to put them in a simple backpack. Here are the supplies you should carry with you during your inspection:

• Camera (video capability is highly recommended)
• Tape measure (25’ is sufficient)
• Measuring wheel
• Roof plan or aerial photo for making notes (Google Earth, for example)
• Note pad and pencil
• Flashlight
• Golf ball (it is important to know where the water goes)
• Laser temperature gun
• Roof core cutter
• Repair medium (such as plastic cement) to temporarily patch a core cut
• Infrared moisture scanner, if possible (hired services are also available)
• Spare batteries for all electronic devices

Once you’re on a roof, you’ll want to make a thorough assessment and minimize your time up there. However, keep in mind that sometimes you only get one shot to access the roof, so make sure to cover everything. Here is the basic information to collect:

• Building location
• Access for equipment, loading, staging, waste removal, etc. (be sure to consider the safety of pedestrians below and other trades working)
• Will the building be occupied or empty during roof installation?
• Safety requirements (fall protection, hazmat abatement, noise, debris, etc.)
• Chronological order and locations of other trades (any trades following roofing may need to take precautions to protect your work, such as stucco or metalwork over a single-ply roof)
• Substrate type
• Roofing system
• Desired warranty term
• Height of all roof decks and parapets (for both safety and loading materials)
• Where and how the system terminates on all planes
• Specifics of immediately adjacent trades (HVAC, plumbing, metal, stucco, etc.), including who covers the details that are often overlooked, such as wood blocking, drains, pipe flashings, metal flashings, etc.
• Establish with the person controlling the schedule (usually the general contractor, consultant, or owner) whether the project will be phased or available all at once.

Once you have all those answers, it is time to walk the roof. Be sure to double check measurements on the roof plan with the measuring wheel. Take time to observe the general condition of the existing membrane as it will give you clues about the maintenance, drainage, environmental conditions, and occupant’s use. Use your golf ball in any area that the drainage is not completely obvious. Observe, measure, count, and photograph every type of penetration, and note whether electrical, gas, and plumbing lines will be disconnected or remain as is. Make notes on your roof plan for yourself, as well as concerns for the superintendent and/or foreman. Helpful tip: take video pans across different areas of the roof. This will allow you to “revisit” the roof in case you missed something on your initial inspection.Visit the inside of the building to look for signs of leaks and try to examine the underside of the roof deck whenever possible.

In commercial construction projects, a small overlooked detail can lead to huge unforeseen costs, so it is critical to cover all the bases. Create a checklist and follow it every time. A successful project starts with a thorough roof walk. Know that you can trust Trudel and Sons to meet all of your commercial roofing standards!

The Benefits and Risks of Replacing Your Roof During the Winter

It's a story that most roofers and contractors experience regularly every season... A customer calls in because of a leak, the roof is then assessed, and it requires a full replacement. It’s the middle of winter and the homeowner asks if this can wait until spring. Intuitively, roofing in the winter doesn’t seem to be such a good idea, right? Let’s sort this out by looking at three components that affect the final result: the human factor, the tools’ capacity to perform, and the shingle product itself.

First, there are human beings that will work on that roof. Morale in roofing is very important, as it is in many other trades—when people hate their job, they cut corners. Especially if those corners can make them go home faster! Starting the day shoveling and ice-breaking on the roof doesn’t help the morale of the crew. Nevertheless, it is imperative to install on an “appropriate substrate”—and snow and ice are not on the list. We need to reach the bare deck, especially in new construction. Any kind of precipitation will render the slope slippery, adding to the level of hazard and reducing the speed and comfort of the workers. The temperature is not to be neglected, as roofing is very physically demanding. Would you run a marathon carrying 30 pounds of gear? Wearing a winter jacket, pants, boots, hat, etc., can add another 15 pounds to your body weight. Because of the need to use your fingers precisely and bend your toes, a contractor can only wear small gloves and boots. For most roofers, it is uncomfortable below freezing and impossible with temperatures below that.

Second, the roofing crew uses many different tools. Some of them aren’t affected by temperature; but some, like compressors and nail guns, are certainly affected. When compressing and releasing the air in your system, humidity will turn into water. If the temperature is close to freezing, this water will freeze in the airlines and reduce the airflow that the installer receives on the roof. Nails needs to be installed flush with the shingle, not overdriven or under driven. When the airline is obstructed by ice, nails are not pushed as deep as they should, which introduces a risk for under driven nails. This situation will require extra attention from the roofer to constantly set the depth adjuster on the gun and from the crew to monitor the presence of humidity or ice in the system.

Third, there’s the question of whether shingles should be installed in cold weather. The short answer is yes, but with some precautions. The asphaltic material in the shingle will lose its flexibility and resistance as the temperature goes down. It will become harder to bend the shingles and to cut them straight. Being more “brittle,” they’ll be more likely to be overdriven by nails when using regular pressure in the system. The "sweet spot” adjustment in pressure will become smaller and smaller. However, providing that the crew is extra conscious of that and takes the time to do it right, there are ways to deliver a proper installation. Another important consideration is if cold weather application increases the chances of blow-offs. All shingles are equipped with a self-sealant strip, a line of glue that activates with the sun and tabs the shingles together, preventing the wind from catching them. If the shingles are NOT tabbing properly because of temperature, they should be hand-sealed. This will prevent the wind to lift them before there is sufficient heat for them to self-seal.

The manufacturer is responsible for the self-seal to properly bond to the roof when activated. The roofing contractor is responsible for making sure the crew is comfortable enough to apply the shingles properly and that the temperature or countermeasures taken are sufficient to have a constant airflow to avoid overdriven or under driven nails. Finally, the crew leader or site supervisor is responsible for deciding if the roof is tabbing or not and if cold weather precautions (hand seal) should be taken. Sometimes, the seriousness of the roof situation outweighs the risk of doing the job in winter, but in most cases, when replacing your roof during the winter - it’s wise to wait until the temperature is above freezing.

How Much Snow Can Your Roof Handle?

During a big winter snow storm people often are asked to stay inside and off the impassable roads. Your roof is then left to endure the elements and expected to keep you and your family safe... But what happens if your roof can’t handle the pressure? Here’s some information to share with your homeowners while they are stuck inside.

Signs that a roof may be at risk from bearing the weight of the heavy white stuff:

● Visible Sagging

● Noises that sound like creaking or popping

● Leaking coming from the roof

Flat or low-pitched roofs are more vulnerable, but pitched roofs can still be at risk when the snow is very heavy.

When it’s safe to travel, contractors in the area or within driving distance have an opportunity to help homeowners repair an unsafe roof. Unfortunately, there are never any guarantees when it comes to the strength of a roof due to factors including: age of structure, age of roof, slope of roof, (in)effective roof installation, etc. In general, as much snow as possible should be raked off their roof, but leave a few inches to avoid damaging the shingles. Also, make sure the snow is thrown away from the building and be careful using metal tools around power lines. Contractors should advise homeowners to call their insurance company to see if they are covered in the event of a roof collapse. 

Call Trudel at (905) 642-3515 if you have any reservations about the condition of your roof this winter, we will provide you with peace of mind with our comprehensive roof inspection including a full detailed report on the condition and life expectancy of your roof.

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Aluminum Siding

Aluminum siding is a tried, tested, and true siding product. For more than 50 years it has been sought after for its status as the most cost effective, maintenance free, and effective siding on the market. Nearly every other building material has yet to surpass it in efficiency, and if you're aware of its few shortcomings and willing to work around them - you're sure to purchase a long-lasting, nearly maintenance free siding that will beautify your home for years to come.

Why Choose Aluminum Siding? 

This is one of the easiest questions to answer in the siding industry. For starters, aluminum is a weather and corrosion resistant material. It won't rot, rust or otherwise let you down. It's also incredibly cost effective when compared to other siding materials. Include the facts that it can be repainted if you're looking to improve the curb appeal of your home, and that it can mimic wood siding - and you're talking a siding material that stands on the heads of others.

What about Its Faults? 

As with any material, aluminum does have a few downsides as a siding product. First and foremost, it isn't as tough as some of the other materials on the market. It can dent and scratch easily in the hands of careless homeowners. Take care with your ladders and keep a can of touch up paint handy to treat any potential blemishes. The other criticism of aluminum siding is that it has a tendency to corrode at times. That shortcoming is more often than not the fault of the homeowner. If you regularly clean your siding, perform maintenance on any dents and scratches, and re-paint your siding every 20 to 30 years when it becomes necessary, you shouldn't have any problems with this popular material.

A Few Installation Tips...

Another benefit of aluminum is its ease of installation. Whether you're a dedicated "DIY-er", or are concerned about what it will cost to have aluminum siding installed by a contractor, you can rest easy that this is one of the most straightforward installation projects in the industry. Due to its relatively lightweight make-up, it's easy to work with, and if you know the ins and outs of the material, it's really easy to put up.

Put Up a Sufficient Backing. Foam board coupled with the appropriate furring not only ensures an even and seamless installation, it increases your home's insulation value as well.

Don't nail the product fast to the structure. Instead, use aluminum nails and be sure never to sink the nails in completely. That extra wiggle room is important since aluminum siding expands and contracts significantly with weather changes.

Plan for Expansion as you cut the materials to size. Remember, aluminum will expand 1/16 to 1/8 inch per 10 foot length in adverse weather, so be sure to account for that when you measure siding material and install it on your home.

By anticipating these common aluminum installation mistakes, you can be sure your aluminum siding will serve you well for years to come. If you have doubts about your ability to install this siding correctly, don't feel shy about contacting us at (905)642-3515 in order to get your new siding installation project underway as soon as possible!

Benefits of a Metal Roof During Winter

Winter is here, as we all know too well, but it's never too late to begin a roofing project - or least begin planning for one. There are many myths about metal roofing, however; one thing is true - metal roofing has many advantages. 

Metal roofing is an optimal roofing composite because it does not deteriorate and is very visually appealing. The material will end up costing you less in the long run due to its durability and resistance to the elements. In addition, it can truly increase the financial value of a home. Here are three reasons that metal roofing is a great winter option for your home or business:

1. It seals in the heat. Metal roofs can actually insulate your home and keep cold air from entering. In fact, the material might even lower your heating bills! A fun fact about metal roofing is that it can be installed over a roof you already have which will further prevent warm air from leaving and cool air from entering. This will keep your house cool in the summer as well.

2. Metal roofs can be installed during the winter. It's true that other roofing composites can be installed during the winter, however; the process will not be as simple. Metal roofing can be installed and the winter elements will have no affect on the process. In fact, a non-metal roof often weakens from heavy snow and cold weather.

3. It can shed the snow. This is especially true if you have a sloped roof. When snow melts during the spring, you will see it quickly slide off of your roof. The metal will prevent ice from building up and ruining your gutters. In addition, the chance of having leaks is extremely unlikely because metal will stand up to the harsh winter climate without breaking.

If your home or business is in need of a new roof, but you feel that it's too late in the season, we hope this article negates any misconceptions that you may have. The truth is - metal roofing is great for winter as it can be installed throughout the year, reduce your heating costs and shed snow. If you have any questions about winter metal roofing installation, feel free to contact our experts at (905)642-3515. We’d love to hear from you!