Make a Roof Last With Maintenance

If you think you can put a new low-slope roof on a building and then it’s out of sight, out of mind, think again. A roof should not be ignored; in fact, it needs to be maintained regularly in order to protect your investment.

Proper maintenance can potentially add years to a roof’s life, uncover minor problems before they become major issues, and save an owner money in the long run. Here are more reasons it’s important to have a maintenance program and how property owners can manage it and keep track of their service:

Most building owners make the wise decision to require a comprehensive manufacturer-backed NDL guarantee to ensure their new roof is protected against leaks. Depending on the system and guarantee, it could provide up to 35 years of coverage to a newly installed roof. Roof maintenance programs pay for themselves in the long run. It’s comparable to spending $20 on regular oil changes for your car or waiting to get a bill for a $2,000 engine replacement. Small fixes will cost a fraction over neglecting the roof and shelling out thousands of dollars to pay for significant repairs.

In addition, a leak doesn’t just affect the roof. Water damage can affect the building’s interior tile, walls, flooring, furnishings, fixtures, office equipment, inventory, and electrical systems. Hidden costs include lost revenue and income, lawsuits, slip and fall accidents, mold problems, and employee productivity issues. All of these consequential damages add up and can easily wreck an annual maintenance budget.

To protect a building’s roofing system, here is a list of steps that a building owner should perform:

Maintain records. Keep on file the guarantee, inspection reports, repair and maintenance bills, and original construction specs and invoices.

Conduct routine inspections at least once per year. (although, spring and fall are optimal). Inspect after severe weather. Don’t wait for a leak to appear; go out after a hailstorm, heavy rain, and high wind and check for yourself.

Repair correctly. In order to protect the warranty, make sure repairs are performed by an authorized contractor and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for repair and installation.

Always remove debris from the roof. Leaves, branches, rocks, and trash can cause a safety hazard and harm the roofing system.

Keep metal in good condition. Examine all the flashings for rust, damage, or deterioration, as these are common points for water entry.

Make sure masonry is in good condition. Examine walls for cracks, loose stones, or deteriorated sealant.

Maintain rooftop equipment. Check out air conditioners, vents, duct work, skylights, satellite dishes, and antennas. Eliminate spills of coolant, oils, or grease and repair if necessary.

Minimize rooftop traffic. Long-term traffic can wear out a roof and cause damage. Maintain a rooftop log so you know who has been on the roof from other trades.

Spring Maintenance: Wood Shake Roofs

Part of the charm of a wood or cedar roof is the weathered look that comes with exposure to the natural elements. Wood shake roofing is surprisingly resilient to the weather, but it does require proper roof maintenance to enhance its appearance, maximize its effectiveness, and prolong its life.

By following few simple steps in the spring, the average homeowner can be assured of keeping a beautiful and efficient wood shake roof for many years to come.

Spring Maintenance of Your Wood Shake Roof 

Spring is the perfect time for homeowners to check wood shake roofing for damage after the ravages of winter weather and early spring storms. The inspection should take note of conditions like broken or curled shakes, rusted or loosened flashing, and cracked areas around chimneys and joints. These indicate repairs that will need to be made to maintain the integrity of the roof. Likewise, overhanging branches, debris-filled gutters, and moss or lichen growing on the shakes indicate areas where roof maintenance is needed. All of these conditions lead to the build-up of moisture, which can cause erosion and speed up decay of wood shakes. Typically, those repairs require the attention of your local roofer, but simple roof maintenance can be performed by the homeowner who is handy.

Tree limbs that shade or overhang the roof retard drying and should be trimmed away. Gutters should be cleaned to prevent blockage and the growth of mold and fungi. Rust that is detected on flashing and other metal surfaces should be removed and treated. Dirt, debris, lichen, and moss may prevent drainage of the roofing surface and retain moisture. A garden hose and a stiff brush should be used to loosen the build-up and wash it away.

The homeowner who prefers to leave roof maintenance tasks to a professional can choose additional options for preserving and enhancing wood shake roofing. Power-washing and the application of chemical cleaning solutions, preservatives, and pigmented finishes can add resilience and enhance the roof’s appearance.

These treatments require training and special equipment, and, if improperly applied, can erode the shakes and harm surrounding surfaces and foliage. A reputable roofing contractor can advise the homeowner on the appropriate treatments for his roof, and then make sure that those treatments are applied safely.

Battling a Leaky Roof? You May Need Flashing Repairs!

Leaky roofs are often tricky to diagnose. At best, they’re a nuisance—and at worst, a costly structural nightmare. There are many reasons for roof leaks, and flashing damage is near the top of the list if you’ve ruled out shingles, valleys and ice damming.

What is Flashing?

Metal flashing is often made of tin-coated steel, galvanized steel and copper, and is the material used to “bridge the gap” between roofing materials and non-roofing materials. For example, flashing is found between roof planes, around chimneys, at the termination of roof slopes, around skylights and in roof valleys.

When properly installed, flashing will prevent water from seeping in to your home at the base of chimneys and vent pipes, in roof valley areas, or around exposed windows.
To prevent expensive flashing leaks, make sure you install the appropriate amount and type of flashing. It’s also important to inspect flashing 1 to 2 times a year. Below, you’ll find additional maintenance recommendations.

Flashing Maintenance 101

Over time, flashing may corrode or become loose. Before your roof begins to leak, look for damage to flashing during semi-annual roofing inspections. Here are some tips:

While inspecting your roof shingles and gutters, look for loose nails, fasteners and seals at your shingle edges, around the chimney and in sloped areas where flashing has been applied. As the caulking and silicon sealant applied to the flashing ages and is exposed to weather, it may crack, crumble or pull away. Flashing may simply need to be tacked down or resealed. If you recognize loose flashing, don’t allow it to go unrepaired. Water can literally stream down into your home through improperly sealed joints.

To help new or existing flashing last longer and withstand the elements, prime flashing with a metal primer and seal it with corrosion-proof metal paint that matches your home’s roofing material. This will help to prevent damage due to rust, and will lengthen the life of your roof flashing.
Seal improperly covered seams with urethane roofing cement. This type of sealant is designed to be applied between flashing and shingles or siding to prevent seepage. Remember, if you see a lot of dry, crumbling caulk at the seam, scrape it away with a wire brush before applying a new sealant layer.

Remember that while there are many do-it-yourself ways to maintain the integrity of your flashing, severe flashing damage or home leaks are best left to an experienced roof repair specialist.

Give Your Roofer a Call!

If repairing your leaky roof seems overwhelming, contact Trudel and Sons Roofing, a family-owned & operated Stoufville-based roofing contractor in business since for more than 30 years! Whether your roof needs an inspection, a little patchwork or an overhaul, our insured and licensed professionals are trained to get the job done right—and our work is always guaranteed!

Call (905)642-3515 or visit www.trudelandsons.com to schedule your inspection today!

Save Money With These Spring Roofing Maintenance Tips

Most people don’t spend too much time thinking about the condition of their roof. But, the old expression “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly applies when it comes to roofing maintenance. The costs associated with routine maintenance of your roof don’t amount to much; the costs of ignoring routine maintenance, however, can be significant.

In the long run, you will save money with regular maintenance done now!

Save Money With Roofing Maintenance: 10 Things You Can Do Now

Here are a few tips for keeping your roof in tip-top condition:

Trim back trees. To prevent damage to your shingles, trim back and remove overhanging tree branches or those getting close to your roof.

Keep gutters clear. Leaves and other miscellaneous debris can clog your gutter system, allowing water to back up into the attic or living areas of your home. It’s a good idea to check your gutters at least twice per year. Inspect your gutters, too, for sagging or other signs of damage & consider leaf-guards as a way of keeping your gutters clog-free for life.

Check downspouts. In addition to the gutters, make sure your downspouts are also free of congestion. If they are clogged, they can’t channel water and snowmelt away from your home.

Remove excess snow. In the winter, a thick layer of snow accumulation could potentially lead to a roof collapse. If the snow piles up too deep, use a snow rake to carefully pull the snow off the roof.

Ensure proper ventilation. This is one of the most important elements in extending the life of your roof. Without proper ventilation, heat and moisture can accumulate in the attic, leading to roof rot and deteriorating insulation.

Ensure adequate insulation. A properly insulated attic space will allow your roof to perform at peak efficiency.

Look for storm damage. After a big storm, inspect the interior of your home for water stains. Check the outside for damaged shingles.

Check for moss or algae. Install zinc or lead control strips if your roof is starting to collect moss or algae.

Inspect flashings. Many roof leaks begin at flashing points, where the main body of the roof meets up with the home’s siding, chimneys or skylights. Check the flashings for holes, cracks, or other signs of damage or deterioration.

Consult with an expert. An experienced roofer can provide a comprehensive repair estimate to help you in maintaining and caring for your roof. Take advantage of our skill and know-how to keep your roof performing its best.

Need Help Maintaining Your Roof?

Call Trudel and Sons Roofing, your experienced roofing contractor, if you need help with post-winter roofing maintenance or need a quick inspection. We are family owned & operated with 30+ years of experience in the roofing business!

Call (905)624-3515 OR visit www.trudelandsons.com for your estimate today!

The Importance of a Roof Inspection

Roof Inspection: Why is it Necessary? - Trudel Roofing

Since your roof offers a line of defense for your home’s structure, it should be inspected regularly. Roof inspections, which should be offered by your local roofing contractor, are especially important if you live in location that tends to experience weather extremes, or after a particularly harsh season.

Spring inspections are critical because your roof can take quite a beating every winter, and addressing small problems now will surely extend the life of your roof and save you money you would have otherwise have to spend replacing your roofing structure.

What Causes My Roof to Deteriorate?

Your roof has many natural attackers, including:

Sun: Heat and UV rays can be destructive to roofing materials, causing them to break down over time.

Wind: High winds can pull shingles away from the roof’s underlayment, allowing dirt and water to collect between the layers. Over time, this debris and moisture can lead to structural deterioration.

Rain and Snow: Frequent moisture penetration can be detrimental to your roof’s structure, causing mildew, wood rot and even damage to insulation and electrical infrastructure. Ice dams can be especially damaging to the integrity of your roofing structure.

Lichen: Wood shakes and shingles make good homes for moss and algae. These organic materials discolour your roof and hold in excess water—which leads to wood rot and structural damage over time. In addition, fungus builds up in gutter systems, making it difficult to maintain proper drainage flow.

Trees: If your yard’s landscaping becomes overgrown, tree limbs and leaf buildup may become a problem. Long, heavy branches can puncture or scratch your roof, and leaves may block downspout systems.

When Should I Have My Roof Inspected?

According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, your home’s roof should be inspected twice a year—once during fall months, and again in the late spring – to ensure optimal performance and lifespan.

Since your roof is the most weather-exposed part of your home, a thorough inspection should include an interior and exterior evaluation of the roof’s structure. Regular roof inspections include a look at interior walls, ceilings and fireplace flues, assessment of leaks or visible damage, evaluation of downspout/gutter systems and examination of roofing materials (shingles, shakes, tiles, etc.).

After inspecting your home from the inside and out, a qualified roofer can make recommendations about maintenance or replacement measures.

Schedule Your Trudel Roof Inspection Today!

If it’s been awhile since you had a roofing professional look over your home’s roof and gutter systems, contact Trudel and Sons Roofing for a comprehensive roof inspection. With 35+ years of experience, our roofing crews are highly skilled and factory trained. 

Whether your roof needs an inspection, a little patchwork or an overhaul, our insured and licensed professionals are trained to get the job done right—and our work is always guaranteed!

Call (905)642-3515 for your comprehensive inspection and estimate today!