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The 6 Biggest Misconceptions About Roofing Repairs and Replacements!

It’s easy to get confused about what is true and what is not true about roofing repairs and replacements.

We at Adanac Roofing are experts in this industry and want to make sure you know the truth. This blog post will tell you what the biggest misconceptions are about roofing repairs and replacements!

Misconception #1: Believing It’s Okay To Wait As Long As Possible Until You Have Roof Damage Repaired Or Believing You Can—or Should— Wait Until You Get Your Roof Completely Replaced.

Neither of these is true. Minor damage should be repaired immediately. Not only does roof damage and wear get worse over time, but the more damage and wear your roof has, the faster the damage escalates.

Also, a damaged or worn roof is more likely to leak, and leaks can result in expensive interior home damage besides just roof damage. Your ceiling and insulation, walls and flooring (whether carpet or hardwood) may end up needing repair or replacement due to a leak.

Once carpeting has water damage, ugly stains and an awful smell may be permanent. With hardwood flooring, once it’s warped, replacement is costly.

Finally, if you are thinking of selling your home some time soon, you might as well get roof damage or roof wear dealt with properly now. An even more expensive repair later will only reduce the sale price of your home.

Misconception #2: The Only Reason To Call A Roofer Is Because Of Emergency Leaks or To Get Your Roof Replaced.

This is not true. A large percentage of the work many roofers perform is minor repair work and/or regular preventative maintenance to PREVENT emergency calls because of leaks and PREVENT much more costly and extensive damage. One aspect most often overlooked with roof ownership is the importance of continual maintenance.

Most owners are not aware that proper roof maintenance can actually extend the life of the roof. It can also minimize the entire life cycle cost.

Roofs are like cars. Cars need proper maintenance. You need to change the oil, rotate the tires, check all the major fluids and get milestone tune-ups. The same holds true for your roofing system. Take a proactive approach to maintaining your roof. This will allow you to expect future roofing needs and plan your budget accordingly. A roofing maintenance program will:

  • Extend the life of roofing system;
  • Reduce service calls;
  • Maintain manufacturer’s warranty by meeting terms and conditions;
  • Prevent loss of insulating value due to wet insulation.

Roofing contractors will discover serious problems during their inspection. Example problems can be wind or structural damage. The contractor should provide a description of the problem and an estimate for repairs.

Some problems can be covered under a manufacturer’s warranty. The roofing contractor should provide the information you need to notify the manufacturer. This should be in accordance to the procedures set forth in the warranty.

You should contact a roofing contractor when:

  • You have any questions or concerns about your roof;
  • You are experiencing a leak;
  • You notice defects or proposed changes to the roofing system (such as adding any type of projection like an air vent or skylight)
  • You plan to sell or are a new purchaser.

Misconception #3: Thinking You CAN’T Do A Preliminary Assessment Yourself To Determine If You Need A Complete Roof Replacement or If You Can Get The Results You Need With Only A Repair.

Your roofing contractor may give you a worse diagnosis than necessary. As unfortunate as it is, this happens. They look at your roof and give you an estimate that says you need a completely new roof. Yet, only a repair is actually required.

To protect yourself from this situation, it would be wise to do a preliminary roof check yourself. Do this before you call a roofing contractor. The most common and clear signs of a damaged roof (inside your house) are:

  • peeling or discolored drywall,
  • cracked paint or
  • ceiling stains.

If you have any interior damage, the most common area for leaks on your roof are:

  • “Flashings” around your chimney,
  • Roof vents, skylights,
  • Plumbing pipes,
  • Valleys and
  • Dormer sides.

Look for any loose material in these areas. Also look for signs of long-term wear on your roof. If there is a hole or crack in these areas, don’t be too quick to make the assumption that you need an entirely new roof. Particularly if there are large trees in the area. If a tree branch could have done this, it’s quite likely the rest of the roof may still have some life in it.

Check the hole or crack to see if the material looks worn and weathered. If so, it’s probably long-term damage to the roof. If not, a recent accident may have caused this hole or crack. The rest of your roof may be okay, and you may be able to fix your problem with a simple repair.

With or without signs of interior damage, you should check to see if any shingles are missing. You should also see whether your shingles are still flexible when bent. If your shingles are flexible, this is a sign that your shingles still have a lot of life in them.

So, if you notice that any of your shingles are curling, buckling or blistering this means you may need a new roof. Also, inspect your eaves troughs for an excessive amount of shingle granules. This would be a sign of long-term roof wear. It also would be a sign of a reduced level of protection against ultraviolet rays.

Misconception #4: All Roofing Material Is The Same.

This is not true. A common concern are the“specials” that most roofing manufacturers offer to roofing contractors. Plain and simple, these are sub-standard roofing materials. As such, they are offered to unsuspecting homeowners at reduced prices. This may seem like a bargain on the surface.

But, the extra risk of premature wear, the potential need for repairs and the increased risk of expensive water damage are not worth any minor cost savings up front.

Secondly, there are many other products involved in replacing or repairing a roof that most homeowners have no idea about. Two of these items would be the underlayment and metal flashing used on your roof.

A roofer can save himself a tidy little sum of money by cutting corners. This might mean only using basic quality materials on your roof. This can result in quite a large amount of extra income, if he uses them on all the roofs he works on throughout the year.

Some companies simply can’t work that way, though. That’s why they don’t cut corners on any job.

Each one of our customers gets the best quality roofing materials available. Quite frankly, this doesn’t add much at all to the overall price. But the peace of mind for both the customer and the company is priceless!

Misconception #5: The Roofing Contractor That Provides The Lowest Price On Roof Repairs and Replacements Is Always The One You Should Choose.

This may or may not be true. The roofing contractor who provides the absolute “cheapest” estimate may not be the best estimate for you. They might NOT do things other professionals would never consider leaving incomplete or undone. Yet, it’s like this just to be able to provide a cheap quote.

A poor quality roof repair or replacement that comes with a cheap quote can take many forms. Often you can’t tell the difference in quality with the naked eye right after the job is finished.

But make no mistake, you do get what you pay for and one day it will become clear about WHY you paid less. Your roof protects your home from the weather. When you have a cheap roof job done, you are exposing yourself to the completely unnecessary risk of very expensive damage. Good companies are far from expensive.

Overall, their pricing is “right on”. It’s competitive with most other roofing contractors. Though, very few provide the same overall quality and attention to detail. Timeliness and solid guarantees are also factors to consider.

Misconception #6: All Roofing Contractors Are The Same.

This certainly is NOT true. So, there are a number of mistakes you should avoid when choosing a roofing contractor to work on your home; following are some of the most important ones!

Are Roof Shingle Stains a Problem?

Ever see dark streaks on your roof? Your roof shingles could have stains on them and this requires your attention.
Depending on the cause of the stain, it can result in functional damage. However, sometimes the effect of these stains is cosmetic. Again, it depends on the cause of the stain. Furthermore, stains do not help the resale value of your home.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the causes of roof shingle stains. Then, we’ll talk about where on a roof you can find these stains and how they look. Lastly, we’ll go over some action items to take when you have stains and how you can prevent your roof from staining again.

What Causes Roof Shingle Stains?

The effects that roof shingle stains can have on your roof and home depend on the causes. This will communicate the severity of the damage. These stains are caused by a variety of issues. These can include:

  • algae,
  • mould,
  • lichens,
  • natural debris,
  • poor craftsmanship,
  • extreme weather (hot to freezing), and
  • the direction your roof is facing.

Stains are common in areas that are more humid. Depending on the colour and the density of the stain, it can be a problem for homeowners. Stains generally hold moisture to the roof’s surface which can lead to decay over time.

Falling debris can cause roof damage and roof leaks. Black stains caused by algae don’t damage your shingles. However, it’s more a cosmetic issue as black stains aren’t aesthetically pleasing. Nor will they be so for prospective buyers of your home.

Where on a Roof are Shingle Stains found?

Generally, darker stains are found on roofs facing north. They can also be found on shaded roofs which are a type of algae that lives off various minerals in some roof shingles. This algae are harmless but aesthetically, they are unpleasing. It is easy to clean and remove with a bleach and water solution. Be sure not to power-wash the shingles as that will damage your roof.

The greatest damage to the roof is from moisture retention (found in the Southeast corner of the roof) or root damage caused by lichen (the combination of fungus and algae). Lichen is very tough to remove and tends to continually form. Be sure not to scrub or power wash your roof as that will damage your roof further.

Preventing Roof Shingle Stains

Here are some quick tips to maintain your roof and prevent any algae or moss growth:

  • Trim tree branches which allows sunlight to reach the roof and reduces any natural debris threats
  • Clear debris that has assembled on your roof regularly with a leaf blower
  • Air flow should be directed down the slope to avoid driving debris under the edges of shingles
  • Keep gutters clean which promote proper water drainage

Today, shingles are manufactured and treated with copper or zinc to prevent algae growth but over time will break down but they are still causing black streaks. This is wonderful for new homeowners or individuals that have recently changed their roof as this makes the up care of their home last longer.

Other Kinds of Roof Stains – And How To Treat Them

Rust stains are generally found near any metal and it is good precautions to check the surrounding areas and the chimney for any holes that could lead to bigger problems down the road. Rusting can cause leakage and if you rule that out, then it is a cosmetic defect on light coloured shingles.

Finally, you will find soot-stained roofs from burning your fireplace and the ashes flying around. Although they are not damaging in time they can lead to mold and mildew. It is simple to clean with household bleach and water.

Take Action Now!

When prospective buyers looking at your home see black streaks or shingle stains, they will be curious. Inaction could lead to devaluing of your home to buyers. Even worse, these stains can cause structural damage.

No matter the stain, it is important to clean it right away to prevent any damage over the long haul. Need help? We at Adanac are experts in roofing. If you live in Metro Vancouver, whether it’s Vancouver, Burnaby, Langley or anywhere else, call us.

Do you know what a new roof will cost you?

Whether you’re looking to get your re-roofing project started soon, in a few months, or even in a few years, now is a great time to begin budgeting.

Using advanced aerial imagery software, we can provide you with an accurate no-obligation quote, without visiting your premise, and with no-strings-attached.

Get a quote and plan your future home improvement budget.