Time and Calgary’s harsh climate can take their toll on your roof. If you have a question about common roofing problems, check out Bricor Roofing’s frequently asked questions below to see if your question has been answered. If not, contact us today to ask your question.
Why is my roof leaking?
How long should a roof last?
How long does it take to replace a roof?
What type of payment do you offer?
What happens if someone gets injured while working on my property?
How long have you been in business?
What warranties do you offer?
Why are there granules in my gutter?
Why is ventilation so important?
Why is underlayment so important?
What is done to protect my property during the roofing being done on my home?
What are the aging signs in shingles?
What are ice dams? How can they be avoided?
Why is my roof leaking?
Normal weathering of asphalt roofing shingles will not cause leaking. Causes of leaking may be:
- Flashing, which are crucial areas that must be watertight to avoid leaks. These are the areas most frequently identified as the causes of leaks.
- Damaged shingles, which leave the roof exposed to leaks and should be repaired immediately.
- Inadequate ventilation, which can cause ice damming, frost and condensation accumulation.
These problems can all be easily prevented with proper air circulation. If your roof is leaking, contact Bricor Roofing today!
How long should a roof last?
Typically, a roof should last 15-50 years. This is dependent on the type of product installed along with the correct ventilation. In today’s market, there are many types and styles of shingles available. The various types of shingles come with warranties representative of the life expectancy of each type. Generally speaking, the heavier the shingle, the longer the warranty. All other things being equal, the weight difference comes from the amount of waterproofing material (asphalt) used during manufacture.
How long does it take to replace a roof?
A typical roof replacement takes approximately 1-3 days to complete. Roofing should ideally be performed during dry, mild weather. Rain, ice or wind may cause a roof or ladder to become slick and dangerous.
What type of payment do you accept?
We accept debit, cheque, Visa and Mastercard. Payment is due upon completion.
What happens if someone gets injured while working on my property?
In the roofing industry, safety can be a concern. Bricor Roofing installers are seasoned professionals that adhere to safety regulations and are fully covered under Workers Compensation. We also carry a full $2,000,000.00 liability insurance policy to ensure that your home is protected should there be an accident that results in damage to your home.
How long have you been in business?
We are proud to say that Bricor Roofing has been installing quality roofs in Calgary for over 35 years! Bricor Roofing Ltd has been in business since 1983.
What warranties do you offer?
We provide a manufacturer’s warranty along with a 15 year workmanship warranty. Extended labour and material warranties are available upon request.
Why are there granules in my gutter?
Granule loss is a normal process in the weathering and aging of any asphalt shingle. Common causes of additional granule loss:
- Traffic on roof
- Shingles applied on very slight slopes (2″ in 12″ or less), which are prone to increased levels of granule loss due to the poor drainage capabilities of the roof.
A certain amount of granule loss is to be expected. Shingles are made with an excess of granules on the surface called “hitchhikers”. If the underlying asphalt is prematurely exposed, the appearance and service life of the shingle may be affected.
Why is ventilation so important?
Ventilation is a crucial factor in the life of a roofing shingle. Heat build-up in the hot summer months and the cold weather of winter will accelerate the aging process of your asphalt roofing shingles. Proper air circulation, regardless of the weather outside, will greatly reduce the chances of leaking, blistering, distortion, curling, rotting of wood structure, wet insulation and many other potential problems.
Why is underlayment so important?
Advantages of using underlayment include:
- Reducing the risk of water infiltration due to wind driven rain, or if shingles are torn or cracked.
- Acting as a buffer area between the shingles and the deck.
What is done to protect my property during the roofing being done on my home?
All grounds and surrounding area of your home will be treated with utmost care.
All disposals are done in house not third party. Bricor Roofing uses trailers to dispose of old material, which provides accessibility without causing any damage to grass or driveways. Once the job is complete, a thorough roof and ground inspection will be performed.
What are the aging signs in shingles?
- With pine shakes, you will see that after rain or snow the rot will be visible from the street as darker imperfections.
- With Alberta’s dry climate, cedar will split, crack and eventually fall apart.
- Asphalt will lose the granules over years of environmental conditions. Visible signs are pieces of torn shingles, curled tab corners and centerline cracks.
For photos of aging shingles, see the Warning Signs photo gallery.
What are ice dams? How can they be avoided?
Ice dams are formed by continual thawing and refreezing of melting snow. Large masses of ice develop as snow on the upper part of the roof melts. The water runs under the snow and refreezes at the edge of the roof. Additional snow melts and forms pools against the dam gradually causing water to back up the roof, often getting under the shingles and eventually leaking into the house. Causes other than heat escaping from the home include:
- Bright sunshine melting the snow.
- Insufficient attic insulation allowing the heated air of the attic to reach the roof deck and melt the snow. (This could happen anywhere on the roof surface).
- Naturally occurring ice accumulation due to various weather conditions.
- Poorly placed gutters preventing snow and ice from sliding off the roof.
- Inadequate attic ventilation.
How to avoid ice dams:
- Install Waterproofing Membrane on eaves and in valleys to prevent water from penetrating the roof.
- Improve attic insulation keeping the attic space cool, thereby reducing the amount of melting snow.
- Improve attic ventilation to ensure that the attic remains cold.
- Make sure that your gutters or eaves troughing are lower than the slope of the roof, allowing snow and ice to glide off.
For photos of ice dams, see the Warning Signs photo gallery.