Solution: We were able to seal around the roof vent using roof cement, to make the area is water tight.

The shingles are too cold to remove and would be too brittle so sealed with roof cement in all the areas where there were missing shingles and exposed wood, also we renailed popped up nails and sealed them.

Assessment: The rest of the roof does not have any underlayment, we could add underlayment when redo roof, we must properly add underlayment and reshingle around one or more vents in the spring to avoid future leaking.

We then applied a melting product on the valleys and around chimneys. We removed all the ice from eaves troughs.

On one small section of roof – lower octagon shape roof could only be salted – due to small trough and overhang of shingles this area could not have the ice chipped out without damaging the roof. This section represents only about 5% of roof – the remaining 95% of eaves had the ice removed by chipping it out.

The homeowner was home and repair specialist spoke to her. He recommended gutter filter be installed on upper and lower section of main house. We also informed the homeowner of the benefit of heating cables and a quote will also be provided for this option.

By taking care of your roof during the winter, you can prevent leaks, and even fires.

In our climate, ice dams are a major cause of damage to roofs. Ice dams form when heat inside the home escapes into the attic and warms your roof deck (the boards or ply beneath your shingles). This heat, combined with heat of the sun, melts snow on the roof, which then runs down to the eaves. When this water reaches the cold eaves and gutters, it re-freezes. This continual thawing and re-freezing process creates ice dams.

The results can be disastrous. When water backs up under roof shingles or behind fascia boards, it can soak through your roof decking or sheathing. This leaking water can damage the attic, insulation, inside ceiling, walls, and even valuables inside your home.

If this water comes in contact with your electrical wiring, you run the risk of fire.

See drawing below.

 

Today we were called out to remove an ice dam. Unfortunately, this homeowner waited until they could see the water damage inside their home before they called. We responded immediately, but by the time we arrived, the water had shorted out the electrical wiring and started a fire between the walls.

Luckily, our repair specialist called the fire department immediately and the fire was extinguished before the house went up in flames.  See Photo’s

This is not a scare tactic! We want to show you how to prevent this from happening to you.

Ice dams can be prevented by optimizing the following elements of your home:

1.      Ensuring proper sealing and insulation

2.      Installing properly balanced ventilation, from the eaves edges through the upper part or peak of your roof soffit to the ridge vent

3.      Adding waterproofing underlayment

4.      Using a heating system to prevent ice damming, when the previous three options aren’t possible

Every building is different. Even the direction your building is facing can determine whether or not you’ll experience ice dams. Factor in changes to our climate, and it’s clear that preventing ice dams is not an exact science.

Monitor your roof throughout the winter season, ideally using binoculars, so you can spot potential damage before it spreads, and call a professional as soon as you detect a problem.

Always hire a professional to remove ice dams, so you don’t risk additional damage to the roof and eaves, or put your own safety at risk.

Mr. Roof Repair is here to help you! Contact us to remove or prevent ice dams on your roof.

Ice dams are formed when two conditions meet: heavy snowfall and improper attic ventilation and insulation.  Snow builds up on your roof, and outside temperatures fall below freezing.  Simultaneously, warmer attic air  rises, causing the snow to melt. The snow melting turns into a river of water and begins to flow down the roof slope. Water travelling down, refreezes when it gets to the colder part at the roof edge. This refreezing will form a wall of ice trapping or creating a dam for more water as it flows down.

The problem gets worse as the back log of slush and snow created by the damming forces the shingles up dislodging nails in the process.  Nail holes and small cracks are perfect pathways for flowing water. Water pathways make their way into your attic, seeping through your insulation and migrating into your walls, and through your ceiling.  The end result is damage to the interior of your home and personal property.  These are the obvious effects of leaking as a result of an ice dam.  If the leak is not obvious it may be years before you notice mold or wood rot.

Having 6 inches or more of ice on your roof, means you must lighten the load to avoid structural damage. This is not A Do it yourself project.  Using ice picks or chain saws is a perfect way to ruin your roof system, and invalidate your shingle warranty.  Please call a professional.

When you picture a roofer, the image that comes to mind, is not a positive one and Juffs’ President, Steve Meltz, wanted to change that image. “Many homeowners do not know what is going on with their roof and many unscrupulous roofers have swayed unsuspecting homeowners into getting a new roof when all they needed was a repair.” With honesty on his side, and a niche market untapped, Steve, discovered that a repair division was the perfect opportunity to help owners protect their largest investment, thus MrRoofRepair.ca and this blog was born.

Michael Bergemann was brought on board adding 20 years of business experience to heighten the level of professionalism in developing this industry leading concept.”I realized that there was a huge opportunity here for being able to offer the homeowner a unique experience. I wanted to see a high level of customer service and professionalism from their initial contact with us through to job completion. Our customers have come to appreciate the value in our service which offers homeowners a quality roof repair in a timely manner that offers a true solution to their problem.”

MrRoofRepair.ca is a pioneer within the roofing industry, with a whole list of firsts:

• First to offer timely homeowner education and roof repair solutions. MrRoofRepair.ca, is the first to offer a no haggle industry standard of fair and competitive pricing. No waiting to hear about an estimate cost, they jump right in prepared to fix and resolve your roof issues.
• First to offer picture sets. No one really knows what goes on, on top of their roof, unless they are up there themselves. They show you before and after digital photo’s with an explanation of what repairs were done on your roof giving you further peace of mind that a repair was actually completed.
• First to launch a website dedicated to Roof Repair! When you browse www.mrroofrepair.ca you will notice an informative picture and video gallery outlining the most common roof problems. You can then follow the links to flickr or you-tube to see the many videos they have posted to help educate the homeowner. It doesn’t end there. Testimonials from satisfied homeowners line the various pages on the website and will link to Homestars, a place where other homeowners review the various trades that have helped them in their home.

MrRoofRepair.ca is so technically savvy they even twitter, blog and are on Facebook. Talk about being in the 21st century.