Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer financing?
Yes.  We have several financing options available.  Please ask our Salesperson for details at the time of your estimate.
 

Is it really worth it to upgrade to a higher quality shingle?
Paying the additional cost for a high quality, longer lasting shingle makes all the sense in the world.  The shingle cost is only a portion of the entire cost of having your roof replaced.  Other costs associated with re-roofing are removal of old shingles, disposal, accessories, and labour.  To upgrade your shingle you will only be paying actual price difference in the cost of the material, nothing else.  You will also receive a much better warranty from the manufacturer.
 

Should I install my new roof in the winter months?
No.  Unless your roof is leaking and the damage is beyond our ability to temporarily repair it, you should wait until the warmer weather.  Temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius will not activate the permanent seal medium between the shingle courses, leaving your roof vulnerable to wind damage.
 

Why are there black streaks on my roof?
The black streaks are usually a result of algae growth on north facing slopes or shaded areas.  There are a couple of options to reduce the severity of this problem.  The preferred is to install a shingle with stain resistant properties incorporated into the shingle itself.  The other is to install zinc strips at the ridge of the roof to help prohibit algae growth.
 

Why are the shingles more deteriorated under my antenna than anywhere else?
When rainwater comes in contact with exposed aluminum, it creates an acid that is harmful to the protective asphalt coating on the shingle.  Over time, this acid will cause the shingle to blister, exposing the core of the shingle, leaving it vulnerable to premature failure.  We always recommend taking down unused antennas, which is a service we pro.
 

Why haven’t my shingles lasted as long they were expected to?
There are several reasons for premature shingle failure.  One cause, could be due to inadequate ventilation in the attic.  Excessive build up of heat in the attic space will cause the oils in the shingle to dry out than if there was sufficient air flow, to exhaust the heat.  Other reasons may be associated with manufacturing defect of improper installation of your roofing system.
 

There is shingle granule in my eavestrough.  Are they defective?
When shingles are newly installed, you may notice some granule loss evident by the small build up in your eavestrough.  This is normal and is only the loose granule on the surface of the shingle, left over from the manufacturing process.  If the shingles are older, and are losing a lot of granule, this is definitely a sign that the shingles are nearing the end of their life.  Now is the time to plan for a new roof.  Call us today for a free consultation and estimate.
 

Some roofing companies have told me that it’s not necessary to put tar paper on the entire roof deck.  Is this true?
If the pitch (slope) of your roof is less than 8/12 (30 degrees) it is extremely advisable to apply a protective moisture barrier, such as felt paper, on the entire surface of your roof.  This will protect you from experiencing a leak during a severe, wind driven rainstorm, which can force water between the shingle courses.  Also, most manufacturers require that the deck be completely felted in order to receive their full warranty.  If you are in doubt, please check with the manufacturer to ensure you are not jeopardizing your full warranty for the sake of saving a few dollars.
 

What is ice and water shield and does it prevent ice damming?
Ice and water shield is a rubber membrane that adheres to your roof deck and provides a leak proof barrier in critical areas, such as roof edges, in valleys and around any protruding object on your roof.  It will not prevent an ice dam from forming but it will prevent water from entering your home, in the areas it is applied.  On some lower slope roofs, we will recommend that it be installed on the entire low slope deck.
 

How many nails per shingle do you use?
We always use 6 nails per shingle.
 

Are you insured?
Yes.  We are fully insured and licensed in the Niagara Region.  We carry a 5 million dollar liability insurance policy that protects the homeowner from any financial responsibility, resulting from personal injury or property damage, during the course of the installation of a roofing system.  In addition to this, we adhere to all rules mandated by the Ministry of Labour and our employees are protected under all workplace safety and insurance programs.
 

Do you sub-contract?
All of our roofing work is performed by our own employees, to the standards outlined in our policies and procedures.  You can rest assured that you will receive the same high quality job as the person that referred you to us!
 

Should I put new shingles over top of old shingles?
No.  The problem with adding another layer is that you will not be installing the shingles on a flat surface.  The variance in temperatures will cause the shingles to buckle and crack if they’re not laying on a flat surface, causing them to fail prematurely.  Also, you will not receive full manufacturer warranties or addressing any potential wood rot or mold issues.
 

Won’t extra layers of shingles provide better insulation for my home?
No.  It will cause condensation between layers and create problems.
 

I was thinking of putting in a skylight but I heard that they leak quite a bit.  Can they be installed so they will not leak at all?
When you install a skylight you are in fact putting a window on your roof so you will want to use a quality product with an unbeatable warranty. Velux is the leading manufacturer of skylights and roof windows and produces the most reliable product available on the market.  As an Authorized Dealer and Certified Installer of Velux products, we will guarantee a quality installation that will be free of leaks and other problems associated with skylights. 
 

Can I see houses that you have put new roof on?
Certainly!  We encourage you to look at homes we have done when you are considering our company for your project.  Not only will this demonstrate the quality of work we put into every home we renovate, but it will help you to decide on a product and colour that will add curb appeal to you home.
 

Is it better to put on vinyl siding or aluminum siding?
This is really a matter of personal preference.  Both products perform extremely well.  Aluminum siding will dent if struck with a hard object where as vinyl is far more flexible.  If you have children who play ball or other sports in the driveway, you may want to go with vinyl to minimize the likelihood of damage when struck by an object.
 

Should I replace my skylight when I put a new roof on?
If the skylight is more than 15 years old or is a builder’s grade product, it is recommended to change it.  Ask one of our estimators for information on skylight products.

On the roof
Is your roof more than 10 years old? If it is, any of the following signs of weathering or damage are an indication that your roof may need help.

	Broken or Missing Shingles Damage can be caused by extreme wind conditions and snow removal. This may take the form of broken, torn or missing shingles which can permit the entry of water.
	Buckling Caused by warping of roof decks, buckling is a visible distortion of the horizontal lines of shingles on the roof, going up the roof slope. Shingle tabs become exposed to wind and can be torn off, again permitting the entry of water.
	Clawing Curling under of the shingle tab's bottom edge. The buldge is susceptible to substantial damage be wind action, hail or ice.
	Curling An upward curling of shingle tabs, making them highly susceptible to wind and ice damage.

Do you have a question that you don’t see here?  Contact Us to submit a question or call us at (905) 384-0000.