STAYING ON TOP OF THINGS
It’s critical to protect your home’s roof and to know when it might be time to re-roof
Your roof is the first line of defence against most of the elements that Mother Nature will throw at it. Don’t get me wrong — the rest of the building envelope is important too, but your roof deserves special attention. If your roof fails, you’re risking damage to everything we’ve put inside your home. A good roof is worth the investment, and a bad roof? Well, it can cost you.
What do you need to know about your roof? How to protect it, how to choose the right material and what the signs are that it’s time to re-roof.
SIGNS OF DAMAGE
The state of your roof matters. If it’s in good condition, you can count on it to protect you against almost any storm. But when it starts to fail, it can cause big damage indoors. The key is to recognize when it’s time to add a new roof — believe me, you don’t want to wait until it’s too late.
Always hire a reputable roofer. This is a job you don’t want to redo sooner because of a bad install. Make sure your chosen roofing material comes with a good warranty, too.
What are the warning signs that it’s time to re-roof? Missing shingles is a big clue, but also keep an eye out for cracks and curls along the shingle’s edges. When you’re cleaning out your eavestroughs, if you’re seeing a lot of granules pooling in the gutter, that’s a sign your shingles are on their way out. If you’ve just put on a new roof, and you see some granules, that’s normal, but if it’s a few years old and you’re seeing this, it’s a sign of a problem.
Do a visual check twice per year — once in the spring, and again in the autumn. If you start to notice these telltale signs, make a call to a roofer and see if you’ll need to replace it before the winter hits. A good home inspector will inspect your roof safely and with the right equipment.
DO YOU HAVE ALGAE?
This is especially more likely in humid areas, but if you look up to your roof and you see black streaks that look like mould, what do you do? Well, the good news is it’s algae, and it won’t harm the life of your roof, but it is unsightly and can kill your home’s curb appeal. Just about any shingle material is vulnerable.
If you notice those telltale streaks, it can be cleaned off, but that’s a temporary solution only. I wouldn’t suggest taking that job on yourself; pros are trained to work at heights — you might not be!
So how do you prevent the algae from growing in the first place? Have you saved any of your old pennies? The answer is copper. Copper binds to algae cells and is poisonous to it, so it kills it right in its tracks. Okay, so you can’t just toss some copper on your roof and call it a day — but if you’re putting in a new roof in the near future, I recently came across some shingles on the market that are infused with copper granules which will prevent those unsightly streaks on your roof. Installing those shingles means that you’re preserving the look of your roof and protecting your curb appeal.
WHAT MAKES A BETTER ROOF?
By now it’s no secret that I love a metal roof. Why? It’s durable, long-lasting and energy efficient. They’re naturally resistant against mildew, fire and insects. A brand should last you about 50 years — so that means chances are if you replace the roof in your home, you probably won’t have to replace it a second time. To me, that’s worth the extra upfront cost.
Whenever I talk about metal roofs, one of the most common questions I get is about noise. Homeowners worry that hail pinging off a metal roof will cause major headaches for the residents indoors. However, when installed properly with a good underlayment, it will not be noticeably louder than other roofing materials.
There are lots of options on the market for your roofing material, so even if you don’t go with metal — do plenty of research, and as I said, make sure it comes with a good warranty. If you are working with a good roofing contractor, they will be able to recommend the right shingles for you. Watch Mike Holmes in his series, Holmes Makes It Right, on HGTV. For more information, visit makeitright.ca.