Commercial flat roofs are more likely to accumulate more snow and ice when it’s compared to pitched roofs. if the roof is designed with a high curb all around, it can be the main cause of the snow to park for long term rather than blow away with the wind.
Depending on the sqf of the flat roof, dept of the snow can be a real danger if you ask me. There is big difference in between powder snow and wet moist snow. It may be dry and powder right now but as soon as thaw starts the weight of the snow will multiply. We have seen in the past flat roofs collapsing due to extra weight added on by the wet snow.
It is very important to clear not all but most of it prior to thaw to avoid the structural stress and possibility of structural damage.
We offer commercial and industrial rooftop snow removal in Ottawa and region. Give us a call or send us an email regarding your questions or inquiries.
Air Conditioners (Photo credit: Ikhlasul Amal)English: This image shows a roofing contractor during the process of applying an American WeatherStar elastomeric roof coating to a commercial flat roof. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Frozen Flat Roofs (Photo credit: ‘S’)
Today we responded to an emergency flat roof problem in the east-end. Store manager was disappointed and tired of chasing the original roofing company who installed the roof. It was in the late afternoon and thunder-storm alert was issued.
We examined the water damage from inside to pin point the possible location of the leak but nothing added up. Original leak was coming in from the second story and working its way all the way to the main floor. We noticed the water dripping by the duct-work on the second story and went up on the roof. Roof drain was very close to the entry location so we were assuming the problem was the drain but it just didnt make sense how the water was going onto the duct-line. After inspecting the entire roof we did find some overlapping seems that did not have any bleed marks from the torch. Torch-down membrane must have a 1/4 inch bleed-out indicating that fusion is complete and it is now one piece. Found the location of the drain from inside the building and there was no signs of water or moisture. Because the building was all cut-up it was kind of confusing where everything was located on the roof. Once we figured out where everything was located on the roof, it was obvious that there was an issue with the A/C unit.
I have seen this happen before where the ac unit bleeder gets clogged and water works its way in the building. As soon as i removed the pvc bleeder water was gushing out of the ac unit. This pvc pipe is designed to build pressure for the pump to force all the condensation and water out of the unit. Trap was clogged from all dirt and debris and water pooled up inside the ac unit and started to leak inside. We cleaned the trap and installed it back i its place. It took almost 5 minutes to leak to stop. Knowing that there was 5 ac units were up on the roof, we cleaned all 5 traps and installed it back in its place.
Poor maintenance of your roof and anything that is located on your roof is a potential cause for leaks. Always replace the ac filters regularly and clean out the pvc traps to avoid similar problems. Check all drains to make sure it is not clogged from dirt and debris. Always hire a professional to do the job.
Roofs of Antananarivo, Madagascar (Photo credit: Wikipedia)English: New Orleans, LA 10-12-05 — A team of workers install a temporary blue roof on a house damaged by Hurricane Katrina to protect it from futher water damage as part of the Blue Roof program. The Blue Roof program was designed as a way to quickly put temparary coverings on roofs till the roof can be repaired by conventional methods. MARVIN NAUMAN/FEMA photo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Some may think that curls on shingles are a design but unfortunately its a sign of water damage and potential small leak working its way thru. Small leaks can take some time to show results. Avoiding basic home maintenance can cost you bottom line.
Identifying the problem ahead of time is a simple homework for homeowners. If there are multiple issues with your roof during winter and summer, repairing it is not the right solution. Entire roof must be inspected for signs of age, wear and tare. Problems experienced during winter can be a result of unprotected roof deck. Ice and water shield is designed to protect underneath the metal valleys, along the gutters at least 3 or 6 feet high. Rest of the roof should be covered with #15 felt paper. Only a roofing specialist can inspect your roof and present you with all the details. At the end of the day you will decide how to protect your investment. Everything has a cost and there is demand for everything.
Millions of houses are being sold every year from him to her to him. Buying and selling requires appraisals, inspections, and an agent that talk too much and a bank. Most important parts of your home is the foundation and the roof. Buy and sale wisely, hire a local roofing company to inspect your roof a to z. Request a free roofing estimate and understand the value of it.
After a rough winter the condition of your roof is determined by the amount of problems you’ve experienced during those cold winter days. It can be multiple reasons why you need to replace or repair your roof.
Typical problems during winter can be water damage, heat loss, condensation and many other reasons. It is always in your best interest to hire an honest roofing company to inspect your roof and repair if necessary. If water found a way thru your pitched and/or flat roof, you have few options; inspect the roof yourself, research on the web or request 3 quotes from local roofing companies. Be sure to understand the difference between a contractor and company. Anyone can be a contractor but it requires more than an individual to operate a registered company. It may sound to you the same thing but actually it is totally two different things. If your heating bill was extremely abnormal, this is caused by heat loss. It can be caused by all the doors and windows, insufficient amount of insulation or roof is too old. It is always in your best interest to get an opinion from a local roofing company.
Never wait for the last-minute, always be ahead of the necessary maintenance and repairs that maybe needed for your residential or commercial roof. Choosing the right roofing company is a key. You may end-up paying 10 to 20% more to a company that has too much overhead expense. As long as company is willing to provide all the necessary warranty and documentation to you on its own, you are in good hands.
Request your residential and commercial roofing quotes and estimates by phone @613-255-2323 or by email 613roofing@gmail.com we will be more than happy to assist you. All estimates are free and we will work with your schedule to serve you better.
This is the time of year where is all begins. Whoever had problems with their roof during this strange winter in Ottawa, Ontario should start to shop around and get different ideas from different roofing contractors.
If you’ve experienced a bad winter where the ice dams caused water damage to your home or office repairing the problem is always a quick fix and it can happen again. Right thing to do is to solving the problem from the root cause. If ice dams were an issue, that tells you there isn’t enough ice and water shield on your roof deck to protect your home or office from potential water damage, mold, rotten plywood or even worst. Repairs are easy to do and its a fast cash that’s how i see it. If the customer insists on repairing the problem instead, i will not disagree but i would confront the customer about the similar issues that may occur in the near future.
Age of the roof can be an issue also, after repairing the problem way too many times, even the repairs don’t work after a certain point. Make sure the company that is providing you the estimate gets on the roof and inspects the roof, measures the actual square footage. Anybody can “quesstimate” by looking at it from the ground. Make sure you get all the details in writing with all the product and warranty information. Ask questions if it is not clear. Always get 3 estimates and compare. Cheap does not mean quality. Expensive does not mean quality either. Look for the reasonable/fare price.
English: This image exhibits the different pitches (rise/run) for roofs, and the number corresponding to that pitch is displayed below the roof line. The number is spoken as “1 in 12” (for the first pitch provided). This means that for every 1 unit of rise, the roof has 12 units of run. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Last time i was here i blabbed about how to get on the roof safely and now we’ll talk about how to remove the existing roof and prep for the new roof that requires smooth and nail free deck.
When installing a new roof, capping the ridges are the last thing to do but since we are installing a new roof, we start removing the capping first. Pry all the roofing nails with RED ripper and remove all the caps. Hold on a second; did you tie yourself down? Gravity and height are very dangerous to mess with. Hook your lanyard to the rope-grab or some call it choker and adjust your rope length as you work. Normally i would rip 2 sheets at a time and make myself a pile to grab with my ripper and launch it in the trailer if trailer is just there. If not the wheel barrow has to make few trips. Once all the shingles are cleared off the roof, broom the dirt and dust of the deck as much as possible. Its time to check for any nails left behind and pry it all out. Check for any lose, bowed, spongy and rotten plywood and if any replace. Now we have a solid and clean roof deck to prep for the new roof.
Depending on the pitch of the roof we will determine how many feet of ice and water shield is needed. Are there any metal valleys? If there is any, i would install 3 feet of ice folded in to 1.5 from bottom of the valley to the top before the valley. Once the metal valleys are in and chalked lined 4 inches at the bottom and 2 inches at the top we will install 3 feet of ice and water shield on both sides of the valley to sandwich the metal for a life lasting seal. I always sandwich my valleys doesn’t matter what the pitch is. If this is a typical one story bungalow with 3/12 pitch, we need 9 feet of ice and water shield. If it was 6/12 slope six feet of ice and water shield would be more than enough but 3 or 4 twelve pitch needs to be sealed very carefully. Ice dams are more likely to back in to the house if this is a low slope home and there is not enough ice and water shield. It’s very easy to install. Overlap lines are printed on the roll. Drive 3 roofing nails and unroll the length you need and cut with a straight blade. Hook knife works too but you have to be quick. Align the ice&water with the drip-edge if there is any, if not install drip-edge. Peel the bottom film and stick, peel the top film and stick. Re-align if needed and nail the top line with hand nails. Repeat the same step any times as you like 3, 6 and 9 feet. Cover the rest of the exposed deck with #15 or #30 felt paper with hand nails or staples but i personally hand nail it. Once the entire roof is prepped it should be water tight.
Installing the shingles does take time but not as much as removal and prepping. I only install step at a time. I’ll build myself a staircase along the edge or a valley and work myself up. Some like to install it straight up but that would be incorrect. Manufacturer will void your warranty if it is not installed according to manufacturer guidelines. Every bundle has the installation details printed on the wrapper. If using an air gun be sure to adjust the debt of the nail. If nails are going thru the shingle, adjust the compressor and the gun for a smooth landing. Once nails are flush with the shingle than we are in business. 4 nails per shingle if it’s a 25 years 3-tap shingle, 5 to 6 nails per architectural high wind shingles.
When capping the ridges, use chalk line for a straight finish. Minimum 2 nails per cap. Caulk any exposed finishing nails, around the vents and plumber boots. Good clean up around the house will complete the projects.
Sketch of double extension ladder (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
There are many different ways of doing things but there is always and do’s and don’ts. When it comes to replacing a pitched roof there are many factors to take into consideration. Safety is always the number one issue when it comes to heights.
Before i walk you thru this there must be a check list for anyone who is willing do attempt a DIY project. First of all there are many hand tools that you’ll need to have prior to starting things like; a long extension ladder, rippers, roof jacks, planks, tool pouch, hook blade and knife, hammer, hatched, harness, rope, rope grab, 3 inch spikes/nails, measuring tape, knee pads, gloves, broom, tin snips, rake and a cooler full of drink. If using a air gun will need a compressor and long air hoses.
Lets get up there and secure ourselves. Extend the ladder 3 feet higher than the actual contact point where the ladder meets the roof. Be sure to place the ladder where its flat and grass is always preferred by me personally. If you ask why; i like to use the teeth on the ladders base and drive it right into the grass for a more stable ground so that the ladder will never move or shift. Once the needed height is reached, tie the ladder rope so that it will be the permanent setting. Always use 3 point contact when climbing a ladder. We made it on to the roof and now we must anchor ourselves. Use 3 inch spikes/nails and hammer your roof anchor to the peek of the roof on to the roof trusses. If nails are not catching anything solid, relocate your anchor. Be sure to drive at least two nails on each sides of the anchor. Hook your rope to your anchor, attach your rope grab to the rope (be sure to look at the proper direction on the rope grab), connect your lanyard to your harness and then connect the other end of your lanyard to the rope grab. Test the rope grab and make sure it locks when the needed weight is applied. We are safe and secure on the roof, its time to start working.
Horsing around on a high roof can be very dangerous for yourself and the others. If this is your first time roofing be sure to get someone experienced to help you.
Tarp covered roof (Photo credit: .imelda)Shifting from foundation, Whittier (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
It can be frustrating when the closing date is coming up and not sure if the roof will perform as it supposed to. When it comes to a structure of a house or building the most important key players are the roof and the foundation.
If the foundation is in good standing and no moisture marks or leaks it is a good sign. If there are damp sections or visible cracks, it can be a potential problem eventually. I am not sure when the building code has changed about the waterproofing membrane against the foundation walls and whipping tile systems but if your house has water proofing membrane it is a good thing. If there isn’t a waterproofing membrane against the foundation, i would have the foundation walls inspected very closely because it will cost you tens and thousands to have it repaired properly. If there are minor cracks on the inside foundation walls, that can be injected with liquid expanding epoxy and have it fixed.
The roof may look in okay shape from 30 or 40 feet but there may be cracks, lack of underlayment or ventilation, lack of insulation or even shingles that are completely bone dry. An average roof repair can cost you anywhere from 250? and up depending on the roofing company you hire. Cost of replacing a roof is determined by the difficulty level, total square footage and how many valleys and hips. Installing proper ice and water shield and sealing the entire roof with tar/felt paper is a step before installing the actual shingles. It’s not about the name or brand of the product, how it has been prepped and how the shingles has been installed is the most important.
A roll of EPDM foil, used for waterproofing roofs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
It is every home and business owners job to take all the necessary steps to do preventive maintenance when it comes to residential and commercial roofing. Some of the homeowners or landlords wait for a problem to occur and some think of it before hand. It is always cheaper to get it done before its to late. If there are issues with the roof and you are avoiding it, it can cost you way more than you think.
There is nothing wrong with repairing it here and there but the real question is how often your roof needs to be repaired, how much money have spent on repairs and the final question is how much would cost to replace the entire roof? It is always free to request a roof replacement quote by a trusted roofing company in your area. Do not over kill it with 8 estimates, 3 roofing estimates are more than enough. Observe all three estimates one by one. Understand all the steps what the roofing company will take to replace your roof. If you have any questions about the estimate call the roofing company and ask. Roof replacement prices can vary from company to company but there is always a reasonable price that would suit your budget. If there is an issue because of the financial status, consult your concern to the roofing company of your choice and see what they can do to help. Do not fall for the under cutter or the over priced quote, choose the most reasonable one.
We are a local roofing company located in Ottawa Ontario offering residential and commercial roofing, siding, foundation repairs and snow removal services. We accept credit card payments thru PayPal, personal cheques and cash. If the customer is requesting some sort of payment plan due to financial problems, we can definitely set up a payment plan that will suit your budget. Stay away from high interest scams. Only fee that we will charge you is a 3% processing fee for PayPal transactions. Monthly payments are not subject to any interest at all.
There are specialty tradesman and jack of all trades. I consider myself as an master roofer who is specialized in residential and commercial pitched/flat roofing services. Joe in the other hand he can do everything, this guy is unstoppable. It is always up to the customers to decide whether to hire a professional tradesman or a jack of all trades. There are so many renovation and construction companies out there that offers A to Z home renovations and repairs. It is kind of scary if you ask me. I would never bid on a flooring job because it’s not my specialty. I would bid on a snow removal, roofing or siding job because that is part of my trade. How does a flooring contractor bid on a roofing job? When there is problems in the future with that roof, only the roofing companies look bad or get fingers pointing towards them not the flooring companies.
We are a local roofing company in OttawaOntario specializing in roofing, siding, waterproofing and snow removal services. We don’t install hardwood floors or service furnaces, we only do what we do best.
Always hire a master tradesman who specializes and knows the details not a jack of all trades.
