Common roofing issues
Understanding the most frequent roofing problems can help you catch damage early and avoid costly repairs. Here's what our team sees most often on Kitchener-Waterloo homes.
Ice damming occurs during the winter season when snow melts and refreezes, usually at the eaves. Eventually the snow and ice will push back under the shingles and cause leaks over time — and cause rot.
We install 3 feet or more of ice and water shield at the eaves depending on the roof pitch. The shield sticks to the roof and self-seals around nails when installed, preventing any ice and snow backup.
We have come across this issue frequently in the KW area: the bathroom vent collar being installed under the plywood. When installed incorrectly, this causes plywood rot, mold, and mildew — because all that moist air from hot showers doesn't properly ventilate, allowing moisture to build up.
The collar must be installed over the roof deck and shingle to prevent moisture buildup and allow air to properly ventilate.
Three-tab shingles are the most vulnerable in high winds because the material is lightweight and the tar sealant is not the strongest. After every windstorm, homeowners should look up at the roof — catching a missing shingle early could save you a high repair bill.
Even newer architectural shingles have their flaws. A common installation error is nailing too high and missing the nail line. When this happens, the shingles are not properly secured. Another issue is the tar sealant that binds shingles together failing to activate on hot days, leaving them susceptible to wind lift.
Pro tip: inspect after every major storm
A quick visual check from the ground after heavy wind or ice storms can catch missing shingles, ice buildup, or displaced flashing before they become expensive interior leaks.
Don't wait — small problems become expensive ones. Get a free inspection from North Guard Roofing today.
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