A home is never complete without a roof, you simply need one. When looking for a roof for your home, you need something that’s long lasting and affordable. Question is which one should you go for? Types of residential roofing system: Ballasted roofing system Ballasted roofing systems can only be installed over a flat deck; […]
Replacing a roof should always be a last resort, meaning that you should only do it when necessary. Why? Replacing a roof is not cheap; the costs will run into thousands of dollars. Roof Repair Direct is here to help you fill in some of the blanks when it comes to roofing.
One mistake most homeowners make is neglecting their roofs; imagine this, under the right conditions your roof can last for more than 25 years without needing replacement. But if you don’t take care of it you will have to replace it.
Learn to identify problems
Your roof ages just like everything on the planet, this means that the older the roof is, the higher the likelihood that you may have to replace it.
Identifying problems with your roof is not always easy, sometimes you will have to put some effort into it, for example, the best way to find a leak is to wait for the rains to come, or you can use a water hose to find the exact location of the leak.
The easiest way to identify roof problems is to look for:
broken/cracked tiles, concrete shingles or slate
dents on vents or gutters
leaks on your ceiling
missing shingles
chipping or discoloration
breaks and holes
Once you identify a problem, the next thing is to get it fixed as soon as possible. A word of caution when hiring a person to repair your roof, make sure that the person knows exactly what he’s doing. If you hire the wrong person, they may add further damage leaving you with no choice but to spend thousands to replace the entire roof. Always have your North Van roofer check give you a free quote before moving forward.
Water damage
Wet insulation, damp frameworks and wet spots are the biggest indicators of water damage, and it goes without mention that water damage is caused by leaks.
Leaks
Taking care of your roof doesn’t require much from you, all you have to do is check it at least once a year. If you find any problems you should get them fixed as soon as possible. One function of the roof is to keep the elements out, but sometimes your roof fails to do this. Leaks may seem harmless but are in fact very dangerous for your roof. If you suspect your roof is leaking then you should contact a Vancouver roof leak repair company.
Leaks can lead to moisture, molds, rot and sometimes structural damage; this makes it very important to always ensure that your roof isn’t leaking. Some tell tale signs that your roof is leaking are:
damp spots
water stains
rotting wood
The thing about water damage is that it is a process, it will take time. This means that if you don’t repair the leaks in time you will end up having to replace the roof when the damage becomes severe.
Tile roofs
Tile roofs if left undisturbed can last for a very long time, but they are also very vulnerable to damage especially from hailstones and severe weather. If you are living in an area where the weather is unfavorable to tiles, you should consider replacing your roof with one made from a stronger material.
Roof Repair Direct is the official source for Burnaby roof repair in the Metro Vancouver area.
There is no way around it, if your roof is damaged you have to fix it. You will need a roof repair Burnaby company to assist you. If you don’t fix it in the hopes that it will go away or make the assumption that it is not your problem, you will suffer the consequences at one time or the other.
For example, let’s assume that you ignore that leak in the attic, after sometime mold which could be toxic may start growing, this will ultimately affect your health. Another example is when the slightly damaged roof escalates in structural damage; you can only guess what the results will be. If you need the help from a top roof leak repair Burnaby company then contact R.R.D. for a referral.
If you live in a residential area in a place such as Burnaby BC, Canada, you have a responsibility to take care of your family and that of your neighbors. A damaged roof is a health hazard that should be fixed as soon as possible. Visit our Metro Vancouver roof repair resource page.
Burnaby Roof Repair Safety
Understand that you can’t control nature, but you can prevent tragedy by taking simple measures like fixing or replacing that rotting piece of wood.
Your roof is more likely to get damaged during bad weather, for safety reasons you should never try to fix the roof during storms, when it’s raining or when there are strong winds. Wait for the weather system to pass and then call a Roof Repair Direct to find a few roofers Burnaby to fix it for you. We also provide complete roof repair Coquitlam Services.
Burnaby Roof Repair Inspection
Spotting a damaged roof can be difficult from the ground, this means that you will have to get up there and take a closer look at it. When inspecting your roof you should look for problems such as:
leaks and moisture/ponding water
holes in the roof/improper repair
tenting
cracked or broken shingles
water damage
The truth is, poor or lack of maintenance is the biggest threat to your roof, if a roof is maintained properly it can last for decades, but if you don’t take care of it, you will have to spend thousands of dollars to replace it when things go bad. If you live in Vancouver then visit our roof repair Vancouver page for more info.
How to maintain your roof
The different seasons of the year will have different effects on your roof, for example during winter, snow will build up and during other seasons leaves and other debris will build up. If you don’t take any measures to remove the ice or unclog clogged areas water will build up and you will end up with leaks, sometimes if the ice is too much it will weaken your roof. A leaky roof repair Burnaby company can assist yo u with patching the area causing the issue. Qualified roof repair North Vancouver service providers are only a click away.
Therefore the best way to maintain your roof is to keep it clean, don’t assume that the rain will clean it away, do it yourself or else you might find yourself in need of the best Burnaby roofing contractor.
Problems with Roof Repair Burnaby
If you find something wrong with your roof, you should get it fixed as soon as possible. If you don’t fix the small problem it will develop into a bigger problem. Therefore if you find leaks, broken tiles or anything else, you should get it fixed as soon as possible. This will save you a lot of money and problems in the long run. Should you find yourself in a situation where you require a Burnaby roofer please feel free to reach out to us.
To most people the biggest threat to their property is people, they assume that thieves will come in the night and steal all they have. But they forget one thing, nature; the truth is, unlike stopping thieves you can’t stop nature. If it’s going to rain, it will rain; you have no say in it. If it rains your roof will leak and if that happens you’ll need an established roof repair North Vancouver company to help you.
This means that the only way to protect your property from nature is by working with it, and how does one work with nature? You adapt to it.
North Vancouver is a place that experiences warm summers and mild winters, this makes it very important to always inspect your roof during each season, make sure that everything is in order, if there is a problem you can chose to repair or replace the roof, depending on the extent of the damage. See more about Metro Vancouver roof repair.
North Vancouver Roof Repair
Water damage
Your roof is designed to keep water from getting in, not to store it. This means that when water starts ponding on the roof the roof will get damaged. If this type of damage not fixed early enough it will result in:
rusted steel
rotting wood
leaks
more weight
When you combine all that, the structural integrity of your roof will be comprised, this can lead to damage to property, injuries and loss of life in some cases. If you’re experience a leaky roof and require a roof repair North Vancouver to be dispatched, please contact us. If you need a roof repair Burnaby go here.
Moisture
A poorly maintained roof will leak; the leaks will lead to moisture. This is an indicator that your roof has failed. If you leave this unchecked for long enough, your roof will collapse.
To avoid moisture build up you should ensure that your roof has
proper drainage
any repairs done on the roof should be done in the right way
Look for bubble like structures on the roof (these are indicators of trapped water vapor).
Hire the Best North Vancouver Roofer
If you don’t hire a professional North Vancouver roofing contractor or someone who knows exactly what he is doing, you will end up with a substandard roof. For roof repair Vancouver go here. Most people just go for the cheapest option, but the problem with this is that, most roofers who charge very low prices are inexperienced and probably unlicensed. You need to ensure you hire a proper North Vancouver roof repair team.
So you won’t have any guarantee and you will end up spending more on maintenance, for the simple reason that you hired the wrong person for the job. A roof that has been built poorly has a high potential for failure, to avoid this hire the right person for the job.
Lack of maintenance
Your roof gets rained on, gets blasted by the wind and gets scorched by the sun. These factors combined with many other things such as human activities will impact the integrity of your roof.
One of the biggest mistakes most property owners make is not inspecting their roofs, they simply ignore it. The problem with this is, if you don’t check your roof you won’t know anything about existing and developing problems. By the time you find the problem, it will have escalated into something that will cost you a lot of money. Roof Repair Direct is the leading Internet resource for commercial and residential roofing information. If you need help finding a qualified roofer in North Vancouver please get in touch with us.
Roofing emergencies can be caused by a lot of things could be a leak, the wind, falling trees, people, or anything else that you can think of. For example, let’s assume that you are in bed at 2 in the morning, but unfortunately heavy rains combined with hailstones damage your roof, rain starts falling in and damaging property, what do you do? Learn more about roof repair here.
The first thing you have to do is stay calm and salvage whatever you can, if you are in a city like Vancouver, you should contact a Vancouver roofer as soon as possible. but it is important to understand that the roofers will only come after the weather system has passed, remember roofing is dangerous work that can result in a lot of injury, so don’t got out there in the rain or have someone fix it in the rain. If you happen to live in Burnaby then perhaps consider a company that specializes in roof repair Burnaby.
Emergency Leaky Roof Repair in Vancouver
Roof emergencies can occur at any time and in any place, the real question here is what qualifies as a roofing emergency. Before you get to the emergencies it is vital to understand the different types of roofs and what they are made from.
Types of Roofs Your Vancouver Roofing Company Can Service for You
Traditional roofs are made from tar, gravel and waterproof material. This type of roof has one major advantage, it’s cheap. But it also comes with problems such as; finding a leak on it can be difficult and installing it is not easy. These are commonly seen in North Vancouver. If you need a roof repair North Vancouver team to come out to your residence please contact us.
Thermoplastic roofing systems: another type of roof is one that is made of bitumen (a thermoplastic). One major problem with this type of roof is that when the roof is being installed a torch down system is used to heat it as the material is being unrolled, this is a fire hazard. Therefore you should always ensure that during installation the building is unoccupied.
Rubber and PVC roofs: This type of roofing material is made of rubber and long lasting under the right conditions, the material is easy to repair and a bit expensive. But the biggest issue with this type of roof is that it is easily punctured making it more suitable in warmer areas.
Roof Repair Vancouver BC
If you are in Vancouver, you probably have a roof made from one of the above materials on your commercial or residential property. A roofing emergency doesn’t necessarily have to be a giant hole in the roof; the truth is the smaller almost unnoticeable leaks are the most dangerous. This is why you need to hire a top Vancouver roofing contractor to help you. For people living in Coquitlam please visit our roof repair Coquitlam page.
These leaks can cause cracks, splits and rot, if this is not addressed in time the damage will spread and the whole building can end up structurally compromised.
Finding a leak especially a small one isn’t easy, that’s why it’s always important to hire a roofing expert to do it for you. If you have no experience with roofing you shouldn’t try this, you may end up injuring yourself or causing more damage.
There are many Vancouver roofing companies to choose from, this makes settling on one a difficult choice. To make things easier what you should do is hire the best roofer Vancouver based on experience and skills.
Let’s face it, things get old and soon or later you’re going to need roof replacement in Coquitlam. Look at it this way you will get old, your home will get old, even the planet will get old at some point in the future. As your home gets old things will start to breakdown some can be fixed and others will need replacement, fortunately there is a way to ensure that everything in your home continues serving its intended purpose efficiently; all you have to do is maintain them.
The roof on your home is very important because it protects you from the rain, heat, wind, animals etc. if you don’t take proper care of it you will have to replace it, the cost of which will be in the thousands of dollars.
This means that if you are going to replace your roof you must do it for the right reasons and hire the best Coquitlam roof repair company, if you don’t get it right you will waste money and expose your family to dangers such as collapse and exposure to deadly substances such as lead.
Coquitlam Re-roofing
Under the right conditions the roof on your head can last a lifetime, but eventually old age will sooner or later catch up to it. Some signs that your roof needs replacing are;
Age: most roofs have a life expectancy of 20 years after which you are not guaranteed performance.
Missing/broken shingles: this will depend on you, you can either chose to replace the missing/broken shingles or replace the entire roof if the damage is severe.
Moss and algae/moisture damage/leaks: these are signs that you roof has problems.
Sagging roof deck
Loose material especially around pipes, chimneys and other similar points
Generally the best way to tell if your roof needs replacement is to get it inspected by an experienced roofer; he or she will help you decide whether to replace or repair the roof.
New Roof Costs Coquitlam
The first thing that you should do is talk to your insurer and find out if your insurance cover covers roof replacement, the cover is usually dependent on the age of the roof, cause of damage and many other things.
Get your roof inspected by a trained individual, who will also help you help you navigate the claims process. What you have to do is get an estimate from a roof contractor Coquitlam (one with insurance expertise) and present it to your insurer.
On the other hand if you decide to cover the costs on your own, you should understand the factors that determine the cost of roof replacement. These factors are:
The size of the roof: most roofers charge per square footing, this means that the bigger the roof the more you will pay.
The pitch: if you have a high pitched roof you will have to pay more than a person who has a low pitch or slope.
The roofing materials: the type of material will also affect the price, for example if you choose slate you will spend more money than if you chose asphalt.
Labor: people work for money, this means that when you budget for the roof you should also look at how much you will pay as labor.
If your roof needs repairs, it is important to get it repaired as soon as possible, this will help you top avoid the cost of having to have the entire roof replaced.
They say that “a man’s home is his castle”, but what is a home without a roof? It’s just walls and nothing more; this means that a home is never complete without a roof.
The purpose of putting a roof over your head is to protect you and your family from the cold, wind, rain, heat, bad people and animals. Now due to the effects of time and exposure to the elements your roof will wear out and you will be exposed to the elements once again.
When this happens, the best thing to do is to hire a roofer; also if you are building a new home you will need a good roofer at one point during construction.
If you need a good roofer you should do the following.
The first thing you must understand when you hire a roofer is that you are putting your safety and that of your family in their hands, also you will have to spend a lot of money on them therefore this is not something that you should take lightly.
If you hire the wrong roof replacement Coquitlam company the quality of the work will be substandard and may expose your family to dangers such as collapse or lead poisoning, which will have a severe impact on your health and family.
By using the term ‘wrong contractor’ I am referring to unlicensed contractors, who charge very low rates, have many unresolved complaints on BBB website and don’t have insurance. Some other indicators of a bad roofer are
roofing contractors coquitlam who don’t send qualified estimators to make assessments
Coquitlam roof contractors who can’t communicate especially matters regarding cost
Background check
Running Background checks on the Coquitlam roofing contractors is very important; because it will help you avoid negligent retention suits, ensure that your assets are in the right hands and keep your family safe. But be very careful here, before you refuse an application make sure that you do it for the right reason or you may face a discrimination suit. Find out more about roofing repair Coquitlam contractors.
Remember the Coquitlam roofing company will be spending a lot of time in your home; therefore it is important to ensure that you can trust the person. Here you are looking for licensed, insured contractors who have the right credentials and experience. The best way to do this is by asking the following questions.
Are you licensed Coquitlam roofing company and do you have insurance?
Do you have a physical address and what is the name of your company?
Do you work with subcontractors?
Do you offer a warranty?
Do you have references
Do you have a maintenance program?
Are you comfortable with me hiring an independent consultant to look at your work?
How the Coquitlam roofer answers these questions will give you a clear picture of how they operate, but trust your gut, there are some people who are very good at lying, therefore if something doesn’t feel right don’t ignore it deal with it.
Before you make the decision make sure that you talk to previous clients and contact the roofing contractor’s insurer to make sure everything is in order.
To most people saving money is a pipe dream, look at it this way, bills and expenses wipe out most of our earnings in number of weeks or even days. You can choose to blame the economy and the government or you can do something about it.
The first question you must ask yourself is “are you living within your means?” Living within your means refers to a situation where the amount of money you spend each month is equal to or less than your earnings. Living beyond your means therefore means that you are spending more than what you earn, now to keep yourself out of debt you should stop using credit cards, spend less money than you bring in and don’t try to compete with anyone. This will help you save money that you can use on important things such as your home or family.
If you are building a new home in Coquitlam or if you already have a home in Coquitlam, you should know that you are going to spend a lot of money on the roof. To ensure that this doesn’t affect your savings in a bad way you should read the following.
Talk to your insurer
The first thing you should do before replacing your roof is talk to your insurer, and find out what your cover covers. For example, if the roof was damaged by wind you can file a claim; if the claim is successful your insurer will foot the bill. Then you can go and find the best roof repair Coquitlam contractor to do the job.
If you choose to follow this route, what you will have to do is get your roof inspected by an experienced professional (roofer) who knows how insurance works, he or she will also guide you with the claims process.
Think long term
If you are going to spend a lot of money on something, it better be worth it. This means that it makes more sense to buy let’s say shingles that have a life expectancy of thirty years than cutting costs by buying cheap shingles that are expected to last a mere twelve years.
Why? If you use substandard/low quality materials they will wear out faster and you will have to re-roof sooner, and spend a lot of money within a short period of time.
Get multiple Coquitlam roofing estimates
Note that roofing contractors are in competition with each other, therefore this can work to your advantage if you take some time to ‘shop around’. The reason for this is simple; each Coquitlam roofing contractor will try to set prices that are attractive to you in order to win you over. Learn more about Coquitlam roof repair contractors.
But, it also important to understand that the lowest bidder is not always the right candidate, therefore base your decisions on professionalism, experience and cost.
Another important thing is to negotiate the prices down to a figure you are comfortable with, when this happens make sure that you get the agreement in writing.
Off seasons
Off season refers to the months when roofers are not that busy, for example during the winter months or late fall, During these months contractors find it difficult to get work therefore they lower their charges.
Generally the best way to save money is to track your spending, and plan ahead.
You finally made it, you own a business and everything seems to be going great. Then it happens, someone gets injured while on your property, what happens next can cost you your commercial property and your livelihood if you are not careful. Look at it this way, if the person has grounds to file a lawsuit e.g. if the poor state of the roof caused his/her injuries you stand to lose a lot of money.
Also first impressions matter a lot, if you are running a business and your commercial property has a worn out look, people will tend to avoid working with you. What all this means is taking care of your commercial property is very important. Go here for more info about roof repair in Coquitlam.
Remember the roof on your commercial property protects your inventory, employees, equipment and most importantly your customers. If you don’t take good care of it your property maybe damaged, or someone might get injured and you will be held responsible for negligence.
To ensure that everything is in order you should get your roof inspected at least once every six months by a trained professional, if problems are found get them repaired as soon as possible or you will have to dish out a lot of money when a simple problem such as a leak causes severe structural damage leaving you with no option but to replace the entire roof.
Commercial Roof Maintenance Coquitlam
Note that it is not a must that you hire someone to inspect your roof for you, if you know what to look for; you can carry out the inspections on your own. Some signs that your roof needs some TLC are:
Standing water: if there is standing water on the roof, it will cause it to age and deteriorate prematurely; also the added weight of the water and rust (result of leaks) will weaken the roof deck.
Bubbling: another indicator that your roof has problems is when bubbles start to form; these bubbles are indicators that moisture has been trapped within. This moisture will speed up the aging process and make your roof a potential hazard. Learn how you can save on your Coquitlam roof repair costs.
Flashing: flashing refers to the material that is used to prevent water from seeping in through joints that connect the roof and the wall; it is usually made of galvanized steel or aluminum. If the flashing fails water will seep in and cause mold to grow or other related problems. Therefore if the flashing on your roof has problems get it fixed.
Coquitlam Commercial Roof Leak Repair Will Save You Money
If you are running a business it doesn’t make sense to spend all your money on repairs, but if you don’t take proper care of the roof that’s what will happens.
To avoid having to spend a lot of cash on repairs you should come up with a proactive approach to maintenance, the idea is to maintain the roof regularly and ensure that everything is in good working order. Doing this will keep the roof in good condition and save you money. Also, an experienced roofer can approximate the amount of time the roof has left; this will allow you to plan and budget a replacement i.e. the cost won’t come as a surprise.
But if you leave your roof at the mercy of the elements with little or no care, sooner or later you will have to spend a lot of money on it.
Have you ever noticed that everything on the planet has its pros and cons? This means that each time you make a choice there will be consequences. Let’s look at shingles, when it comes to shingles you have about six major options, each option has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Therefore before you choose a particular type of shingle, you should look at its characteristics and the advantages it has over the others.
Coquitlam Metal roofs
If you are going to build a home that has a flat or steep roof you should go for metal roofs, I know you are thinking ‘wont that attract lightning?’ no it won’t, it is important to understand that just because metal roofs can conduct electricity it doesn’t mean that it can attract it. Many of the local Coquitlam businesses have metal roofs. This can help cut down on the commercial roof repair Coquitlam businesses have to pay.
Depending on where you are metal roofs are inexpensive and durable, but they do have problems. One major problem is noise especially during hailstorms or rainstorms; you can minimize the noise by installing materials that minimize the drumming effect. Another problem is denting when things like rocks or golf balls land on it.
Asphalt Shingles Coquitlam
What makes asphalt shingles the most popular and most frequently used shingles in the market is its cheap and long lasting. But the biggest issue with asphalt shingles is they have a short lifespan when compared to the competitors.
Under the right conditions asphalt shingles can last up to 30 years, but if you don’t take proper care of them. Your roof won’t last long, meaning that you will have to spend a lot of money replacing the shingles.
Cedar Shingles Coquitlam
Today wood is getting expensive; this means that it’s by products such as wood shingles are also expensive, but if you can afford wood shingles you should know that they are beautiful and long lasting especially if made from hardwoods such as redwood or cider.
The big problem with wood shingles is maintenance, that’s why most insurance companies advise you to replace wood shingles. Look at it this way, if the wooden shingles leak, the amount of damage that can result can be catastrophic.
Tile Shingles Coquitlam
Tile shingles have been here for a very long time, but the problem is they are expensive and heavy. Meaning that not all homes can support their weight, therefore if you are going to install tile shingles you should first talk to a structural engineer.
On the bright side, tile shingles can last for a very long time. Under the right conditions the shingles can last up to a hundred years, but if you don’t take proper care of the roof, the tiles won’t last long.
Slate Shingles Coquitlam
Slate shingles are popular mostly in Canada and the US specifically the northern parts of it, the good thing about slate shingles is.
They are extremely long lasting (can last up to 100 or more years), they have a unique appearance and the material is strong (not easily damaged by hailstorm or wind)
The bad thing about slate shingles is, it’s expensive, finding roofer to fix it can be a hustle and the material is heavy. Read more about roof repair Coquitlam.
Fiberglass Shingles Coquitlam
This is a modern take on shingles; these shingles are made of fiberglass which is fire resistant, durable, does not change shape and is also eco friendly.
The biggest problem with fiberglass shingles is something known as thermal splitting, thermal splitting refers to a process where elevated temperatures cause molecules to split into their atomic components. This makes the shingles easy to break; this can be avoided by installing the shingles properly.
At Roof Repair Direct we know that a home is never complete without a roof, you simply need one. When looking for a roof for your home, you need something that’s long lasting and affordable. Question is which one should you go for?
Types of residential roofing systems Ballasted roofing system
Ballasted roofing systems can only be installed over a flat deck; the system uses a ply roof membrane held together with gravel. The system is arranged over a steel deck, and is made up of a vapor retardant, insulation, roof membrane and gravel ballast.
The biggest downside to this system is that it can only be used on a flat roof(you can’t slope it). Another issue is that it can damage easily because the membrane is exposed. If you currently have one of these roofs and are experiencing a leak please contact us and we’ll send a technician from a Vancouver roof repair team.
Fully adhered roofing system
this is a roofing system that’s held together by adhesives, the system is made up of a vapor retarder, insulation, roof membrane and adhesive all placed on a steel deck. The biggest advantage with this system is that it can be installed anywhere as long as there is a slope. The materials are also light, meaning that there won’t be too much dead weight on your home. Contact your local Vancouver roofing contractor for more information.
Torch applied roofing systems
This is a long lasting and resistant system created with modified bitumen, apart from being long lasting, this system is also very easy to install.
The biggest issue with this system is during installation. The problem is you need an open flame torch to install(fire hazard) the roof. Therefore if you are planning to install this system you should take all necessary safety precautions.
Mechanically fastened systems
This is a flexibleroofing system that can be installed on any shape or slope,the material used to build this system is light making it easier to work with. The real problem with this system is that the membrane is exposed, meaning that the roof can be damaged easily.
Protected membrane system
This system is expensive, but it does come with the benefit that it stabilizes the roof membrane and can last for a very long time. A major flaw with this system is that locating a leak on it can be a very difficult task. The system is made up of a concrete deck, roof membrane, insulation, filter fabric and on top of all of that gravel ballast.
Built up roofing (BUR)/pitch/tar and gravel roof
This is a relatively inexpensive system that is perfect for areas with extreme weather, the system is built with three or five plies of roofing felts attached with asphalt. The problem with this type of roofing system is asphalt slippage; therefore this system shouldn’t be used on steep slopping roofs.
Another problem is the smell it produces, which can be unappealing to some people. The system is made up of a steel deck, vapor retarder, base insulator, fiberboard insulation, felt, asphalt and a mixture of gravel and asphalt at the top.
The biggest problem with installing a roof is hiring the wrong person to do it, if the North Vancouver roofing contractor doesn’t know how a system should be installed then there will be problems. So make sure that you always hire an experienced roofer.