<![CDATA[ - Blog]]>Fri, 15 May 2026 18:07:29 -0700EditMySite<![CDATA[Know When You Need to Repair Your Roof!]]>Wed, 20 Sep 2017 14:41:44 GMThttps://www.gtaontarioflatroofers.com/blog/know-when-you-need-to-repair-yourroof
Your roof is one of the most important areas of your home. Missing shingles or a damaged valley can let moisture get under the exterior roofing material and damage wood beams and internal materials. You need to stay vigilant and address signs that your roof needs some TLC. What signs should you be looking for?
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Learn more about the signs that your roof needs one or more repairs.

​Is Your Roof near the End of Its Roofing Cycle?

Every roof as an estimated roofing cycle. 15-20 years is the average lifetime or roofing
cycle of a roof using traditional roofing materials or asphalt shingles. As a roof ages and
gets closer to the end of a roofing cycle, homeowners may have to make additional
repairs as necessary.

​Can You See Daylight Through the Boards?

When in the attic, is it possible to see light coming through roof boards? This is a sign
that your roof may require a repair. Moisture in the insulation is another issue. Take a
walk on the roof and if a trampoline bounce is apparent while walking, the decking has
been weakened. This is generally due to moisture. Moisture in roof boards​ can affect the
integrity of the material and lead to mold and rot.

Do You Have Pieces of Shingle in Your Gutters?

Your gutters are a catchall for many types of debris, in addition to rainfall. When
cleaning out gutters, inspect the material for shingle granules. This generally will happen
at the end of a roof’s life cycle. Discoloration of the roof material, with darker colors and
inconsistent coloring in certain areas is also an indication of the wearing away of roofing
materials.

​Are Shingles Missing or Buckling?

​A quick glance at your roof may reveal that shingles are missing and a roof is failing.
Look to see that shingle “tabs” are intact. Curled or buckling shingles indicate that
shingles need to be replaced as well. If the roof is not near its roofing cycle, such an issue
may be a sign of a defective roof. Observe for such a problem on the slope that receives
direct sunlight.

Is There Roof Damage or Missing Shingles in the Roof
Valley?

​The roof valley helps snow and rain to be directed into gutters. Shingles that are missing
or falling apart in this area can compromise the roof and make it more likely a home will
develop roof leaks.

Are You Selling Your Home Soon?

​Anyone who has sold a home before will understand that potential buyers and their
agents will be looking for anything out of place to better understand a property and
negotiate accordingly. Even small repair issues with the roof (and in other areas of the
home) will probably be uncovered by the inspection. With this in mind, most sellers opt
to have their roof inspected and repaired by a professional before the sale.

​Time for a Roof Repair

​Owning a home requires regular home maintenance and repairs. Homeowners may want
to seek the expertise of a roofing specialist when they see signs of roof damage. It may
also be worthwhile to replace a roof nearing the end of its roofing cycle. Other roofing
materials are available to homeowners with a longer roofing cycle and needing fewer
repairs. The different roofing materials available have varying maintenance requirements,
and it's worth a discussion to understand all of your options. Talk to a roofing specialist
about the type of repairs your roof may need today.
]]><![CDATA[​Weakening the re-roofing industry: Cheap, inferior Chinese shingles.]]>Tue, 23 May 2017 22:33:57 GMThttps://www.gtaontarioflatroofers.com/blog/weakening-the-residential-roofing-industry-inferior-chinese-shinglesIn the reno industry, China is known for its toxic knock-off drywall that carries with it an odour that is offensive. It shouldn’t surprise anyone because they are known for a multitude of knock-offs, from watches, to cars to just about anything.  But, unfortunately, they have entered the roofing shingle world with sub-standard products that are sure to last half the time that a quality Canadian made shingle will which follows the CSA standards for manufacture.                               
Canadian standards stipulate that shingles must be made and constructed in such a way as to survive our harsh winters and sometimes scorching summers. Additionally, bundles should weigh in at about 79 pounds which illustrates durability, but guess what?  Chinese shingles come in at a whopping 50 something pounds and give new meaning to impostor  products. 
 
What is strange about this is that it was not long ago that we saw massive failures of domestically produced shingles that led to class action law suits as shingles peeled away soon after installation. So, after rectifying the situation, we must now watch as these pirates bring in their shingles, undercut the market and leave the customer high and dry with next to zero chance to collect on any probable failure in the near future.
 
The failure is in the codes where only new homes require and must have CSA approved shingles, where re-roofing and renovations can utilize these sub-standard pieces of garbage. New roofs seem to be an area that many home-owners will compromise for a price.  Unfortunately, the savings are more than eaten up by early failure of the roof and expensive replacement.

Residential shingle roof protection

Now, what makes it even more difficult to combat, and to protect consumers, is the packaging, it  appears to be authentic, CSA approved product, just like the GUCCI watch or the purses with reputable names emblazoned on the wrap.  There is no watch dog and these installers don’t seem to shoulder any shame in pushing the bogus products.  Chinese installers buy these products for $4-5 a bundle, while quality Canadian bundles sell for $20 bundle to contractors.  We think it can be called a scam.
 
If you are wondering if you are being sold a bill of goods that are sub-standard and where a warranty likely won’t be honoured, here’s how to tell.  If the price is thousands below another authentic quote, you’re probably getting the garbage.  Cheap Price. Cheap Job!
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