Emergency Toronto Roof Repair Situations
The unusual high winds have been tearing shingles off roofs and causing general havoc with a variety of roofs types. We have received calls with complaints of skylights blowing off or leaking, roof vents, flashing, and even roof hatches needing repair.
With the heavy rain in Toronto, this has caused flat roofs to fail, this particularly has applied to those that have drainage issues or drains that are plugged. This has been resulted in our 24 Hour Toll Free Emergency Roof Repair line to receive several repair calls.
We are finding that Roofs with improper attic ventilation are having condensation issues to areas even as far north as Barrie and flat roofs are requiring more maintenance to clear drains that are freezing over with ice.
Solutions for Roof Repairs, Attic Condensation, and Roof Drainage Issues
There are some solutions we can offer to help with the various problem’s roofs have this time of year. However If you cannot solve the repair or maintenance issue by yourself, call our 24 hour emergency roof repair number at (647) 847-8826 and schedule a repair person to attend.Flat Roof Drainage Problems: Flat roofs unfortunately do require some regular maintenance, especially in high winds and freeze-thaw cycles.
Roof Drainage: The roof drains are prone to clog from leaves, tree branches, and with the ice and snow melting and freezing on the roof. Drainage problems on flat roofs can also be compounded by an inadequate slope of the roof. Nonetheless, a spring and fall maintenance of the roof is key to ensuring the roof bears well during bad weather. Click here to see our Flat Roof Maintenance check list.
Roof Inspection: Extreme winds, heavy rain-fall, and snow and ice melting should trigger an inspection to be completed. It is preferable that this is completed during the storms to ensure our technician’s ability to see if the roof drains are clear.
Roof Slope Problems: With improperly sloped flat roof systems, there are solutions to mitigate these issues. An improper roof slope can be examined with our technician at the time of inspection or while we are performing maintenance to your roof.
Condensation in Attic Spaces Sloped or Pitched Roof Attic Condensation Problems Attic condensation repairs or remediation tend to be a more involved process requiring a number of steps.
Solving Attic Condensation
Your attic requires proper ventilation. You need to check the intake air typically at the roof soffits to be sure that there is enough air coming in to your attic space. Be sure to check that insulation is not covering the air from entering your attic by following the air flow along the roof sheathing to where you come to the ridge or peak of the roof.
Check the exhaust vents (typically by each square foot or along the ridge) to be sure they are not plugged with snow and see if there are enough roof vents. You will need about 1 square foot of roof venting per 100 – 300 square feet of attic. A calculation commonly used by our roofers for attic / roof ventilation is 1:250. If the air vents exhausting the intake air is appropriate then you need to check the vapor barrier of the attic. It cannot be compromised and be letting warm air in.
Warm air rises through the attic into the roof sheathing. The snow on the roof then melts and creates ice dams. The ice dams then back up under shingles, shakes, and tiles causing leaks in to attics and then ultimately in to your house through the ceiling. If none of these problems can be found in your attic, it is best for you to then call the experts.
Shingles Torn off in winds High Wind damage and Roof Repairs to Shingles, Tiles, and Shakes Repairing Damaged Roofs: Ultimately, after the installation of shingles, tiles, or shakes are complete and the winds begin to increase, you can now face blow-off problems. The best we can do is repair the windblown damaged roof.
How to Shingle a Roof: Prior to having your roof replaced, it is a good idea to know the specifications and the proper way to shingle a roof to ensure your roofing contractor is in check at time a roof replacement is required. Our website has a series on How to Shingle a Roof that explains the process of shingling for areas with high winds and how to avoid costly repairs due to wind damage.
Roof Underlay: Beyond the actual installation principles when replacing your shingles, shakes, or tiles there is the issue of the roof underlay. If the proper roof underlay is used and is installed correctly, then one does not have a concern in regards to shingles, shakes, or tiles being blown off. The roof underlay or membrane will keep the roof water-tight with-out the shingles so no leaks occur.
Shingles for High Winds: Finally, there are roofing shingles available that are designed to withstand high winds. Shingles like the Malarkey Legacy have high wind ratings of up to 170KM per HR which gives areas like Toronto etc. some advantage over the winds that damage roofs every year.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding your roof, our office is always able to provide over the phone advice, set up inspections or arrange for a complete repair.